Sport Psychology For Youth Athletes

 who care deeply and train hard, but under pressure, one mistake can unravel it all. I help youth athletes build confidence that isn’t tied to winning — so sport becomes a space for growth again.

Using evidence-based tools, they learn to navigate pressure and big emotions without spirals or shutdowns — so you see more calm & the return of joy and ease in sport and life.

Lately sport might look like:

THEY’RE REPLAYING EVERY MISTAKE

You watch them go over it again and again, getting angrier and sadder each time. Nothing you say seems to help them move past it. You end up walking on eggshells, trying to help but worried one wrong word will make it worse.

WATCHING THEM SWITCH OFF MID-PERFORMANCE

You know they care. You’ve seen what they can do. But when a few mistakes stack up, it’s like they disappear right in front of you, shoulders drop, focus fades, and the spark’s gone. It’s frustrating, and it's excruciating to watch.

FEELING LOSS IN INJURY RECOVERY

Injuries are brutal.. not just the pain, but the loss of movement, identity, and routine. You can see how much they miss it and how adrift they feel without it. You want to say the right thing, to keep their spirits up, but you’re not sure what actually helps.

If any of those sounds familiar, you’re exactly where you need to be. Make yourself comfortable and let me explain more about me and what my support can feel like.

Get support for your athlete

Oh Hello there

Early in my career I worked in a prison. There, I saw how adverse early experiences can shape beliefs and coping - and how quickly options narrow. Later, in specialised child & youth mental-health services, I watched the opposite unfold.

With evidence-based support offered early, with parent involvement, a young person’s path can pivot in a completely different direction.Those two worlds shaped my why. They gave me the skills - and the urgency - to step in sooner: supporting youth athletes and their families before patterns set in, and helping them build healthy habits that outlast the results

I’m Jess O’Kelly, Chartered Psycholgist

SHE / HER

Fast forward to today...

I help my clients make sense of what’s going on beneath the surface, so they feel more grounded and in control.

I support them to respond to pressure effectively - staying focused on what matters most in the moment.

I guide parents into supportive roles that feel natural, clear, and connected -at home, at training, and beyond.

I bring together emotional sensitivity, clinical grounding, and sport insight to support athletes and their families.

This way of working gives space for youth athletes to grow from the inside out.

What support looks like

Talking is important - but it’s not always enough. Sometimes we don’t have the words for what’s going on. I work in ways that make sense to my clients - whether that’s through reflection, movement, visualisation, or practice-based work.

I draw from:

→ Elite performance mental skills training

→ Compassion-focused & cognitive-behavioural approaches

→ Strength and mindfulness-based tools 

Get support for your athlete

HOW IT WORKS

🕐 60-minute sessions | Typically weekly to begin. We adjust as mindset builds - lighter when things are steady, more around key moments.

🎥 A video summary after each session with key themes + practice tasks

🎙️ Optional voice note check-ins around high pressure events (e.g., competitions)

💬 WhatsApp group (you, your child, and me) to share updates, support, and resources

📐 A graded Performance Plan | Evidence-based and sport-specific, the plan grows with your athlete - offering clear tools - so they know what to reach for, when it matters most.


Let's get started

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Let's get started •

The process

FREE 30-MINUTE INTRO CALL

A relaxed chat about your child’s sport: what’s been happening, what feels hard, and where you’d like things to shift. You can share what you’ve noticed, ask questions, and get a feel for how I work. There’s no pressure, just space to talk things through and see if this feels like the right next step.

01

THE WORK

Using evidence-based tools and a compassionate, practical approach I help your athlete respond rather than react when things get tough. Each session is tailored to your child’s sport, personality, and pace, drawing on 13 years of psychology experience to find what really works for them.

02

WHAT YOU’LL START TO NOTICE

You’ll hopefully see subtle but steady changes: fewer emotional crashes after competition, lighter car rides home, a calmer rhythm at home. They’ll bounce back faster, handle feedback with perspective, and play with more freedom again. Parents often share feeling more at ease too, knowing their child is learning skills that build confidence for sport and for life.

03

FAQs?

  • That’s totally normal. Most parents (and athletes) feel a bit unsure at first.

    That’s why I offer a free introductory call. It’s simply a chance to talk, ask questions, and get a feel for what working together might look like with no pressure or commitment.

    My goal is to make the space feel comfortable and safe from the start. You can join from wherever you feel most relaxed, blanket and hot drink encouraged.

  • Typically, I work with ages 9 and up.

    For younger athletes, it depends more on emotional maturity than age. We can use the intro call to decide whether now is the right time or if it’s better to wait a little longer.

    Overall I love to work with tweens, teens and adult athletes and enjoy being part of their long-term support team.

  • I’ve supported a wide range of people:

    🏅 Elite youth and adult athletes competing nationally and internationally
    🎓 NCAA competitors and UK academy footballers
    🎭 Performers, creatives, and professionals in high-pressure environments
    💬 Adults, Young people and families seeking early mental health support and parent guidance

    What they all have in common is a drive to do well and a need for support that balances performance and wellbeing.

    • BSc Psychology, University of Bristol

    • PgDip Educational Mental Health Practice, King’s College London

    • MSc Sport & Exercise Psychology, University of Greenwich

    • Chartered Sport Psychologist, British Psychological Society

    • HCPC registered

    I’ve spent over 13 years studying and practising psychology across youth mental health, education, and sport.

  • Yes, most sessions take place online, which tends to work best for families juggling school, sport, and travel. It means support can happen from wherever you are: in the car before training, at home, or on the road.

    I also offer in-person sessions in Squamish, Canada.

  • It really depends on what you’re looking for. Some athletes come for a short block of sessions to work on a specific challenge.

    Others, especially those competing at higher levels, stay connected for longer, using sessions as ongoing support through their competitive seasons.

    No matter how much time has passed, I’ll always make space for a check-in session to talk through new challenges and pick things back up when needed.

  • I’m based in Canada but work with athletes and families all over the world.

    I know training and competition schedules can be hectic, so I’m happy to be flexible and we’ll find a time that works.

    I typically see clients from 3:00 pm UK time onwards, and sessions normally start at weekly or fortnightly depending on what fits best.

  • Prices vary slightly depending on where you’re based (currency and tax regulations).

    I offer single sessions and discounted blocks of 5. Get in touch and I’ll send you full details for your location.

Stay in touch

I’M SO GLAD YOU’VE FOUND YOUR WAY HERE.

A quick note on availability: I’m taking maternity leave from 12th June 2026, and I’m planning to begin taking on new clients again from January 2027.

You can use this form to join the waiting list for January 2027 spaces, express interest in future support, or request signposting to trusted colleagues who may be able to offer support sooner.

Please note: this form may not be monitored regularly during maternity leave and isn’t suitable for urgent or crisis support.