Sports Psychologist & Performance Therapy for Athletes in NYC & New York
Whether you’re an athlete, artist, or high performer, we help you manage pressure, perfectionism, anxiety, and setbacks. Train your mind like your body—with performance-driven therapy designed to unlock your potential.
Evidence-Based Care
CBT, ERP, ADHD Testing
Inclusive & Affirming
LGBTQIA+, Multilingual Therapists
Accessible
No Waitlist, In-Person & Virtual
What is Sports Therapy and Performance Psychology?
A mental performance approach for athletes and high achievers
Whether you’re a college athlete, professional competitor, student navigating school stress, or weekend warrior, the mental side of performance matters. Sport and performance psychology supports athletes of all levels by building mental skills, confidence, emotional regulation, and resilience. It’s not just about coping—it’s about improving performance and unlocking peak mental performance on and off the field.
At Aspire, our performance coaching and therapy services are grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), ACT, and biofeedback. We work with clients to target mindset shifts, nervous system regulation, and performance enhancement through a person-centered and evidence-based approach to therapy.
Many athletes don’t discover mental performance training until college or professional sports—missing a crucial edge that could have helped them earlier. Whether you’re exploring performance psychology for the first time or looking to return to therapy with a licensed therapist who understands athletics, we’re here to help.
Why Mental Performance Training Matters in Sport
Sharpen focus, build resilience, and improve performance across your sport and life
Athletes spend years training their bodies—but the mind often gets left behind. A performance psychologist or mental performance coach can help you:
Build resilience and bounce back from injury, rejection, or burnout
Improve confidence or concentration before big games or tryouts
Strengthen emotion regulation during competition
Recover from setbacks and overcome fear of failure
Use positive self-talk, visualization, and pre-performance routines
Mental conditioning is proven to increase performance consistency, reduce anxiety, and support athletes during life transitions. These are the same mental tools used in elite performance coaching for professional sports, entertainment industries, and corporate leadership.
We work with clients to enhance performance in every context—not just in sport, but in life.
Who We Help: Athletes, Performers, and High-Achievers
Supporting performance and mental health from adolescence to adulthood
Our therapists support athletes and performers across a wide range of identities, ages, and goals. Clients include:
Middle and High School athletes balancing pressure, growth, and school stress
College athletes and NCAA competitors managing expectations, scouts, and team dynamics
Adult recreational athletes looking to regain confidence and joy in sport
Elite, pre-professional, or pro-level athletes pursuing peak performance coaching
Performers, creatives, and high-achievers across music, dance, business, and more
We help clients improve mindset and wellness while addressing:
Performance anxiety and game-day stress
Emotional recovery after injury rehabilitation or loss
Difficulty managing pressure from coaches, parents, or scouts
ADHD, depression, or anxiety symptoms
Burnout, self-esteem concerns, or grief and loss
Life transitions such as picking teams, transferring schools, or retirement from sport
If you’re searching for a therapist best suited to support your growth, we’re here to help you manage the mental and emotional side of high performance.
Our Approach to Therapy for Athletes and Performance Coaching
How a licensed clinical psychologist or therapist can help athletes reach their potential
Our team includes therapists and performance psychologists with years of experience working with athletes and performers. Led by Brie Scolaro, LCSW, a former collegiate ice hockey goalie with over 30 years of athletic experience, our work is grounded in:
CBT for thought and behavior patterns
ACT to move towards your goals and build mental flexibility
Biofeedback for peak performance and nervous system regulation
Weekly coaching for accountability, mindset shifts, and game prep
Mindfulness and identity work for lasting changes
We believe that performance is personal. Our approach is person-centered, affirming, and grounded in mindfulness. Whether you're in recovery mode or preparing for a championship season, we provide actionable tools and therapy results that extend beyond sport.
Specialties include:
ADHD testing and executive function support
Body-focused repetitive behaviors and perfectionism
Counseling services for LGBTQIA clients, couples counseling, and trauma recovery
Therapy for adults and adolescents navigating identity, family issues, or life stressors
We support you during this difficult and rewarding journey by creating a non-judgmental, collaborative space to help clients find clarity, confidence, and lasting changes.
Here's what happens next:
Book an Intake Appointment (30 Minutes - Virtual) with an Aspire Psychotherapy Director
Get Matched with a sports-specialized therapist
Start your plan—tailored for your performance level, schedule, and mindset goals
Meet Our Clinical Directors
Brie Scolaro, LCSW, (they/them), Director of Performance Psychology
Brie Scolaro, LCSW, is a clinical social worker, Co-Director of Aspire, and mental performance coach. Their specialties include performance psychology, fear of failure, executive function, ADHD, and therapy for athletes. With experience working with athletes, LGBTQIA+ clients, and creatives, they offer a mix of therapy and performance coaching for athletes, performers, and professionals seeking peak mental performance. Their therapeutic services include biofeedback, CBT, and practical tools for emotion regulation and goal-setting. Brie is a member of the Alliance for Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS) and conducting research on the impact of LGBTQIA+ specific sports leagues on well-being.
Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D. (she/her), Clinical Director
Dr. Anya Scolaro is a licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Director of Aspire Psychotherapy. Her specialties include ADHD, OCD, LGBTQIA+ identity, exposure therapy and anxiety disorders. She has extensive experience in diagnosis, neuropsychological assessment, and customized treatment planning. As the first point of contact for all new clients, Dr. Scolaro ensures you're matched with the therapist best suited to your goals. She provides therapy and couples counseling with a focus on evidence-based practices, mindfulness, and affirmative care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started with sports therapy or performance psychology at Aspire?
Take the first step by booking a 30-minute virtual intake ($175) with one of our Clinical Directors. We’ll learn more about your background, mindset goals, and performance challenges to match you with the right therapist. Book Your Intake Now
What happens in the intake session?
Research shows that the strongest predictor of successful therapy is the match between the therapist and the patient. That means the best therapist is the one that you feel you can trust. Sometimes it takes 1-2 months of working with someone to see if they are a good fit.
Can I work with Aspire if I’m not based in NYC?
Yes. Aspire offers both in-person sessions (Upper East Side & Upstate NY) and online therapy across New York State. We support athletes who travel, compete, or attend school outside NYC with flexible, virtual appointments.
What types of therapy and coaching do you provide?
We provide sport and performance psychology, CBT, ACT, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based approaches. Whether you’re looking to enhance performance, manage mental health, or build resilience, your therapist will create a personalized plan for your needs.
Can I talk about more than just sports?
Absolutely. Our therapists support the whole person—beyond the sport. Clients often explore confidence, family issues, LGBTQIA+ identity, ADHD, anxiety, grief and loss, and broader life transitions in their sessions. Therapy is tailored to meet all of you.
What if I’m not sure who to work with?
That’s what we’re here for. During your intake, we’ll match you with the therapist or coach best suited to support your journey, based on your sport, mindset goals, and clinical needs.
Start Sport Therapy With a Performance Psychologist Today
Virtual and in-person sessions in NYC and New York to help athletes perform at their best
This isn’t just therapy—it’s performance coaching grounded in clinical and sport psychology. Our goal is to help clients improve mindset, manage mental health, and reach their potential across every arena of life.
Fill out our quick form to book your New Client Intake (Virtual - 30 Min - $175) with an Aspire director.
What Our Clients Have to Say
“After suffering my whole life and then having what I’d constitute as a mental breakdown, I’m living generally an anxiety free life without using medication.”
“I was having anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia last year and started seeking help. I am now a much more balanced, mindful and calm person who feels empowered with an armada of useful strategies and techniques to manage and regulate stressful situations in my life.”
“Dr. Scolaro is an incredibly gifted therapist who has helped me learn and practice vital CBT skills that have changed my life”
Our Office Locations
We offer telehealth and hybrid therapy sessions at two locations in New York State. Reach out today to schedule your intake appointment and start seeing your therapist remotely or in-person.
Upper East Side Office
312 E 85th St Suite 1A, New York, NY 10028
Upstate New York Office
Healing Arts Center, 3457 Main St Floor 2, Stone Ridge, NY 12484