Steven Ayers Therapy
Steven Ayers Therapy
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Mental Performance & Recovery Support

Performance Anxiety Therapy in Denver, CO, Las Vegas, NV and Durham, New Hampshire-Virtual across CO, NH & NV:


I offer sports therapy to help athletes overcome physical injuries, mental blocks, and performance challenges so they can reach their full potential. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, struggling with performance anxiety, or looking to improve mental resilience, I provide personalized support tailored to your athletic goals.


I use evidence-based techniques, mindfulness, visualization, and goal setting to help athletes:


  • Boost focus and motivation
  • Recover from setbacks and injury
  • Manage stress and pressure
  • Overcome performance anxiety
  • Improve mental and emotional well-being
     

Sports therapy is perfect for youth athletes, competitive professionals, or weekend warriors—bridging the gap between physical health and mental performance.


Private pay therapy is available.

Book a Consultation

Signs You Might Benefit from Performance Anxiety Therapy:


You might consider therapy if you notice:


  • Physical symptoms like racing heart, sweating, shaking, or nausea
  • Negative self-talk or “I’m going to fail” thinking loops 
  • Avoiding or procrastinating on tasks
  • Perfectionism that increases stress rather than improving results 
  • Frustration with your own potential or feeling blocked despite preparation 
  • Emotional exhaustion from constant worry about judgment or outcomes 


Even if you “perform fine on paper,” if it comes with constant stress or self-doubt, therapy can help make your performance feel more natural and sustainable.

How Performance Anxiety Therapy Works:


Therapy for performance anxiety combines understanding, skill-building, and experiential practice. The goal isn’t just to “relax”—it’s to help you perform while feeling present, confident, and in control. We focus on:


  • Identifying the thoughts, beliefs, and physical sensations that trigger anxiety 
  • Learning tools to manage stress and nervous energy before and during performance 
  • Rewiring patterns of avoidance or overthinking that keep anxiety alive 
  • Building confidence in your ability to handle pressure, mistakes, or judgment


What to Expect in Your First Performance Anxiety Session:


The first session is about understanding your unique pattern and creating a plan that fits your life. We will:


  • Talk about your performance challenges, past experiences, and goals 
  • Identify triggers, both psychological and physical, that fuel anxiety 
  • Discuss strategies and approaches that might work best for you 
  • Begin building awareness and coping tools you can start using right away 


You don’t need to be “broken” or completely stuck—the first session is about insight, not pressure.

Athlete improving performance and  recovery with Steven Ayers in Denver, Nevada, and New Hampshire

Mental blocks, performance anxiety, and confidence loss can derail even the most dedicated athletes. Injuries, high-pressure moments, past failures, or critical coaching experiences can become “stuck” in the nervous system—showing up as hesitation, fear, overthinking, or a sudden drop in performance. When this happens, pushing harder rarely helps and often makes things worse.


I combine evidence-based techniques with practical, real-world practice:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Identify and challenge negative thought patterns that fuel anxiety 
  • Reframe beliefs about mistakes, judgment, and expectations 

Exposure & Behavioral Practice

  • Gradually facing anxiety-inducing situations in a controlled way 
  • Building tolerance and confidence without overwhelming you 

Mindfulness & Body Awareness

  • Learning to notice tension, racing thoughts, or physiological arousal 
  • Using breath, grounding, and focus exercises to stay present during performance 

Integration & Self-Compassion

  • Reducing self-criticism that amplifies anxiety 
  • Building realistic expectations and resilience for long-term growth


The good news: mental blocks are highly treatable with the right therapeutic approach. I work with athletes using EMDR, an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process and release performance-related stress, trauma, and self-doubt.


EMDR doesn’t rely on positive thinking or mental toughness alone. Instead, it helps the nervous system reprocess past experiences so they no longer hijack your focus, confidence, or physical execution. Many athletes experience meaningful shifts in just a few focused sessions—often returning to their previous level of performance and, in many cases, exceeding what they thought was possible.


Through EMDR therapy for athletes, we work to:

  • Reduce performance anxiety and fear of failure
  • Clear mental blocks tied to injuries or past setbacks
  • Restore confidence, focus, and flow
  • Strengthen emotional regulation under pressure


This work goes beyond sports performance. When mental barriers loosen, athletes often notice improvements in self-trust, resilience, and overall well-being. Addressing psychological challenges isn’t about fixing what’s “wrong”—it’s about supporting you to become a more grounded, confident person both on and off the field.


If you’re searching for EMDR therapy for athletes or performance anxiety, support is available—and change doesn’t have to take years.

Let's Connect

Hours: 

Monday–Thursday 9 AM–7 PM (Mountain Time)


Locations: 

Colorado: 4100 E Mississippi Ave, Ste 400, Denver, CO 80246

New Hampshire: Virtual office

Nevada: Virtual office


Contact: 

Email: steven@stevenayerstherapy.com

Phone: ‪(720) 506-1551‬

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