Hey friends! Today, I am joined by Lydia Wasserbauer, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, EMDR-trained therapist, and certified trauma professional, to explore the unique mental health challenges that athletes face — both during and after their competitive careers.

Lydia draws on 12 years as a competitive swimmer and her clinical expertise to unpack the pressures athletes carry that rarely make it into the conversation: the anxiety and perfectionism baked into high-performance culture, the disordered eating patterns that quietly develop in aesthetic and weight-class sports, and the identity crisis that can follow a career-ending injury or retirement.

Whether you're a current athlete, a former one, a parent, a coach, or simply someone who has struggled with perfectionism, body image, or the question of who you are beyond what you do — this conversation is for you.

If you've ever felt like your worth was tied to your performance, or wondered who you are now that the game is over, take a moment for yourself and join us on From Both Sides Of The Couch — When the Athlete Hurts: Mental Health Beyond the Game.

Enjoy this episode? Follow us on your favorite podcast platforms and leave a 5-star review!

Lydia Wasserbauer is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP) dedicated to helping individuals navigate through difficult life events and stressors. She works from a person-centered lens, offering an inclusive, compassionate, and non-judgmental space to everyone she works with. Her clinical focus centers around empowering and supporting you as you navigate personal journeys toward improved mental wellness. She draws from a variety of therapeutic approaches, including person-centered talk therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based therapy.

Connect with Lydia!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-wasserbauer-lpc-19a347258/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiawasserbauer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lydia.wasserbauer/

Dr. Laurie Bruce is a clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach. She received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2000. Her expertise is in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which is a treatment that combines both traditional cognitive and behavioral strategies with Eastern Mindfulness practices. She is also a Certified Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapist and completed a year-long intensive training through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. She’s passionate about the safe, legal, and ethical use of psychedelic medicines to help address trauma, mood, and anxiety disorders and for personal and spiritual development.

Follow her socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555258666969

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauriebruce/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-bruce-psy-d-0201277/

Visit her website.

Website: https://www.drlauriebruce.com/

#AthletesMentalHealth #SportsAndMentalHealth #EMDRTherapy