Mental fitness for performance and well-being
Athletes experience pressures that extend beyond training loads and competition schedules. Performance expectations, injury recovery, shifting roles on a team, and decisions about career transition can generate persistent stress, self-doubt, or loss of motivation. Psychotherapy provides a structured, confidential setting to examine those pressures, develop practical coping strategies, and cultivate psychological skills that support sustainable performance and overall life balance.
Dr. Christopher Joaquim offers psychotherapy focused on the needs of athletes, combining clinical training with lived experience in sports settings. Sessions are oriented toward actionable skills—attention management, emotion regulation, motivation maintenance, and identity work—that athletes can apply during training, rehab, and competition.
Book a Free Phone Consultation
📞 (781) 797-7002
✉️ contact@drchristopherpsychotherapy.com
Services for athletes
Supportive Psychotherapy for Athletes
A flexible, individualized therapy track aimed at improving mental clarity, managing competition anxiety, and strengthening the mindset needed for consistent performance. Sessions blend short-term problem-solving with longer-term work on identity, motivation, and relationships.
Injury Recovery Support
Psychological care that runs alongside physical rehabilitation. Focus areas include acceptance and grief for temporary loss of function, strategies for maintaining training identity during downtime, graded exposure to fear of re-injury, and motivation techniques that support adherence to rehab plans.
Performance and Confidence Development
Work that targets performance-linked cognition and behaviour: pre-competition routines, imagery and mental rehearsal, attention control under stress, and cognitive reframing of negative self-talk. Sessions emphasize practical drills and in-session practice so athletes can reproduce skills in real events.
Transition and Retirement Counseling
Assistance navigating role changes — moving between teams, adjusting to new competitive levels, or transitioning out of full-time sport. This includes vocational planning, re-establishing identity outside sport, and family or relationship considerations that often accompany major transitions.
About Dr. Christopher Joaquim
Dr. Christopher Joaquim is a licensed psychotherapist with focused experience working with athletes and performance-oriented clients. He is also a certified USA Hockey coach, which informs his understanding of team dynamics, training culture, and the psychological pressures athletes face.
Dr. Joaquim integrates evidence-based clinical methods with sport-specific mental training. He emphasizes clear, measurable goals, regular skills practice, and collaborative planning with coaches, trainers, or rehabilitation teams when requested by the athlete. His aim is to make therapy directly applicable to athletes’ schedules and performance contexts.
Our unique approach to athletes’ psychotherapy
Why choose Dr. Christopher Joaquim
Selecting a psychotherapist for sport-related concerns involves fit, experience, and practical accessibility. Dr. Joaquim’s practice emphasizes:
- Clinical credentials and sport experience: Licensed psychotherapy training combined with coaching experience for a grounded, sport-informed approach.
- Evidence-based methods: Use of validated techniques (CBT, acceptance-based strategies, imagery rehearsal) adapted to athletic contexts.
- Individualized plans: Goals set in collaboration with the athlete; interventions matched to sport demands, position, and competition calendar.
- Coordination with support team: With athlete consent, he can coordinate with coaches, physiotherapists, or sport psychologists to create coherent plans across mental and physical work.
- Flexible access: Sessions offered both online and in person, allowing continuity through travel or season changes.
- Confidential and practical focus: Confidential setting with a practical, skills-based orientation that respects an athlete’s schedule.
Ready to talk?
📞 (781) 797-7002
✉️ contact@drchristopherpsychotherapy.com
What to expect in sessions
- First session: Brief intake (medical/injury history, current stressors), formulation of immediate and longer-term goals, and a short skills practice to use before the next meeting.
- Session length and cadence: Standard sessions are 50 minutes. Frequency is individualized—weekly for short-term performance concerns, biweekly or monthly for maintenance and skills consolidation.
- Practical homework: Short, targeted exercises (mental rehearsal, attention drills, sleep hygiene tasks) designed to fit within training schedules. These are framed as training tasks rather than “homework.”
- Integration with training: Tools are selected so athletes can practice them during warm-ups, on non-training days, or within rehab sessions.
Online and in-person availability
To accommodate athletic schedules and travel:
- Online video sessions using secure platforms, compatible with travel and training blocks.
- In-person appointments at clinic locations and limited on-site consultations when arranged in advance.
Locations:
- Salem, MA — 60 Washington St #202
- Los Angeles, CA — 611 Wilshire Blvd Suite 900, #1020
- Greenacres, FL — 7642 Tahiti Ln
Insurance, fees, and payment
- Insurance coverage varies by plan; verification is offered during the consultation process.
- Payment methods: major credit/debit cards and electronic payments.
- Sliding fee options may be available for qualifying athletes; discussions are handled confidentially.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be “in crisis” to seek therapy?
No. Many athletes use psychotherapy proactively to refine concentration, manage season stress, or improve rehab outcomes.
Will what I share be kept private?
Yes. Confidentiality is a central tenet; information is not shared outside the therapeutic relationship except as required by law or with explicit consent.
Can I bring my coach or partner into a session?
With the athlete’s permission, brief coordination meetings can be scheduled; these are separate from individual therapy sessions and arranged in consultation.
How long does therapy take to show results?
Some skills (breathwork, pre-competition routines) can yield immediate improvements. Broader shifts in belief or identity typically take multiple sessions; a tailored plan sets realistic short- and medium-term goals.
Are remote sessions effective for athletes?
Yes. Remote care has been shown to support continuity and skill practice, particularly for athletes who travel frequently.
Book your free phone consultation
Start with a brief call to discuss goals, timing, and whether a tailored psychotherapy plan fits your needs. The consultation is intended to clarify immediate priorities and outline next steps.
📞 (781) 797-7002
✉️ contact@drchristopherpsychotherapy.com
Quick links
- About Dr. Christopher Joaquim
- Services for athletes
- Book a consultation
- FAQs
- Contact & locations
