Millennium Counseling Center
Millennium Counseling Center
Athlete Mindset Podcast: Bringing Lived Experience to Clinical Work with Derek Bylsma
Athlete Mindset Podcast: Bringing Lived Experience to Clinical Work with Derek Bylsma
Athlete Mindset Podcast: Bringing Lived Experience to Clinical Work with Derek Bylsma
Thursday 26th October 2023
Derek Bylsma discusses his journey from athlete to clinician, offering insights on mental health, suicide prevention, and coaching young female athletes.
32 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Empowering
Supportive
Thought-provoking
About this podcast
Author:
Millennium Counseling Center
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Body & Mind
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Financial Health in Recovery
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Episodes:
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Get the buttons here!Derek Bylsma: From Soccer Fields to Mental Health Advocacy
Episode Overview
- Derek shares his journey from playing soccer to coaching and clinical work in the athlete mental health space
- Insights into suicide prevention and the challenges athletes face in seeking help
- Valuable tips for managing social media and advice for male coaches on understanding and motivating young female athletes
I think it's so important, as you've been stating, that therapists who work with athletes understand the mindset, the world, the identity, and what it means. So, I'm just so glad that you're doing the work you're doing. Your company, Millennium Counseling, sounds like it's doing some amazing things across several colleges and universities and employing clinicians who get it. Kudos to you.
What happens when an athlete transitions from the soccer field to the counseling room? Derek Bylsma's journey is a compelling blend of sports and mental health advocacy. In this episode, Derek shares his personal story of playing soccer at Wisconsin, coaching high school teams in Chicago, and ultimately becoming a clinician focused on athlete mental health. His lived experience brings a unique perspective to clinical work, especially when it comes to understanding the pressures athletes face.
Derek discusses the ongoing stigma around mental health in sports and the crucial need for athlete-centered clinicians who truly 'get' the sports mindset. He opens up about the importance of creating safe spaces where athletes feel comfortable seeking help, touching on sensitive topics like suicide prevention and awareness. Derek also provides practical advice for managing social media, which can be a double-edged sword for young athletes.
One standout segment features Derek offering tips for male coaches on how to better understand and motivate young female athletes. His insights are not just for athletes but also for coaches and parents who want to support their loved ones in navigating the complex world of sports and mental health. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone involved in sports, whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent.
Derek's story and insights offer hope and practical strategies for tackling mental health challenges head-on.