Therapy for Athletes & High Achievers in Houston, TX
You've spent your life pushing yourself to perform. Your mind deserves the same level of support as your game or your career.
Does your self-worth feel tied to your last performance, promotion, or win?
Do you push through exhaustion because slowing down feels like falling behind?
Are you succeeding on paper but feeling anxious, depleted, or disconnected inside?
Athletes and high achievers are often taught to push harder, stay tough, and never show weakness. That drive can take you far, and it can also leave you running on fumes, afraid to fail, and unsure who you are outside of what you accomplish. Whether you're competing, coaching, building a career, or recovering from an injury or a setback, you don't have to carry the pressure alone. We help you keep your edge while building the steadiness, self-trust, and balance that make high performance sustainable.
People Come To Us When They Experience
Performance anxiety, fear of failure, or pressure to be perfect
Self-worth that rises and falls with results
Burnout, exhaustion, or feeling stuck despite success
Struggling after an injury, setback, or retirement from a sport
Losing a sense of identity when a role or sport ends
Perfectionism and a harsh inner critic
Imposter syndrome, even after real accomplishments
Difficulty switching off, resting, or asking for help
Relationships or family life strained by constant pressure
Using alcohol or other substances to unwind, cope, or numb out
Why Mental Health Matters for Peak Performance
Strength is not the absence of struggle. The same traits that fuel success, such as discipline, drive, and high standards, can quietly feed anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout when there's no space to process what you're carrying.
Common patterns include:
All-or-nothing thinking: a single mistake feels like proof you're not good enough
Overidentification with your role: "I am my sport" or "I am my job," so a loss or setback feels like losing yourself
Pushing through pain: ignoring physical and emotional signals until your body or mind forces you to stop
Fear of showing weakness: keeping struggles hidden from teammates, coaches, colleagues, or family
Constant comparison: measuring yourself against others and never feeling like you've done enough
If you recognize yourself here, you're not alone, and getting support is a strength, not a weakness.
How Therapy for Athletes & High Achievers With Us Works
We start with respect and a steady foundation. You don't need someone to cheer you on or simply listen; you need a partner who understands pressure, helps you see what's driving it, and works with you on a practical plan. We show up as honest, direct teammates in your corner, never here to judge your choices or your goals.
Sessions are collaborative and focused. We help you manage performance anxiety, quiet the inner critic, rebuild after setbacks, and develop the communication and boundary-setting skills to protect your wellbeing, whether that's in sport, your career, your relationships, or your family. The goal isn't to take away your drive. It's to help you perform and live from a place of stability instead of fear.
Modalities We Use
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DBT offers a practical toolkit for managing high-pressure moments, intense emotions, and stress without letting them take over.
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We identify the thought patterns behind perfectionism, performance anxiety, and self-doubt, and build clearer, more useful ways of thinking.
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We turn down the volume on the harsh inner critic and treat compassion as a strategic tool for resilience, not a sign of softness.
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We help you act on your values even when anxiety or fear shows up, so pressure stops making your decisions for you.
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We build grounding and focus skills that help you stay present, recover, and reset.
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We move at your pace and prioritize safety, especially when past experiences or injuries are part of the picture.
Real strength is built with a support system. You don't have to carry the pressure in silence.
After Therapy, Our Clients Report:
Less performance anxiety and fear of failure
A sense of worth that doesn't depend on results
Healthier ways to manage stress, pressure, and big emotions
Rebuilding confidence and identity after an injury, setback, or transition
Learning to rest and recover without guilt
Clearer boundaries and a better work-life balance
Reconnecting with loved ones and enjoying your success
Feeling confident asking for help
Meet the Team of Specialists
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![Mary Duran, LCSW, LCDC - Houston therapist specializing in borderline personality disorder]()
Mary Duran, LCSW, LCDC
OWNER | PSYCHOTHERAPIST
As a former competitive cheerleader who stepped away from the sport due to of an injury, I understand how hard it can be when something you've poured yourself into is suddenly taken away. I work with athletes navigating performance pressure, injury and identity loss, and the stress of competing at a high level My style is active and direct. I provide a space to untangle self-defeating patterns, so you can feel in control of your story on and off the field.
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![Nicole Duarte, LCSW, CCTP, NATC - Houston therapist specializing in athletes and high achievers]()
Nicole Duarte, LCSW, CCTP, NATC
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Sports performance is one of my areas of focus, and I understand the athlete's world firsthand: I traveled domestically and internationally as a Women's Youth National Team soccer player and collegiate athlete. I help athletes work through performance anxiety, perfectionism, body image, and the pressures that come with competing at a high level, as well as life after sport. My approach is grounded in trust and emotional safety, and I'm happy to work with you in English or Spanish.
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![Gabriela Trevino, LCSW - Houston therapist specializing in borderline personality disorder]()
Gabriela Treviño, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
I specialize in supporting high achievers navigating the immense pressures of demanding careers and the weight of family leadership. My focus is on helping you understand the roots of the stress and hypervigilance that keep you on high alert. I provide a trauma-informed space to help you quiet a racing mind and show up more effectively and authentically in every area of your life.
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![Meghan Zeien, LCSW - Houston therapist specializing in borderline personality disorder]()
Meghan Zeien, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
I provide an intentional, direct space for high achievers navigating major life transitions, from career shifts to the changing demands of parenthood and leadership. I offer a steadfast partnership for people facing significant personal or professional hurdles. I act as an advocate to help you recognize your existing strengths and build a practical, evidence-based toolkit for resilience.
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![Tayler Duden, LCSW - Houston therapist specializing in teens, young adults, and parents]()
Tayler Duden, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Drawing from my background in corporate work, I offer a relational, results-oriented approach for high achievers feeling stuck, burnt out, or stretched thin by the pressure to always perform. As your advocate, I help you navigate the unique demands of professional and personal life. My goal is to help you quiet your inner critic, strengthen your sense of self, and move from just getting by to truly thriving.
Education, Credentials,
& Trainings
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Texas
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Texas
Extensive experience supporting athletes and high achievers navigating burnout, performance pressure, and professional isolation
Advanced Evidence-Based Training – Intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Self-Compassion Therapy
Experience In Intensive Treatment Settings, including The Menninger Clinic, J. Flowers Health Institute, & UT Health
3 Steps To Get Started
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Fill out the contact form. We will personally respond and answer your questions.
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We will schedule a short call to see if it feels like a good fit and talk through next steps.
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We begin building trust, understanding your current struggles, and creating a clear plan for our work together.