As parents, we work hard. We spend long hours building careers, sacrificing time, and making financial decisions that allow our children opportunities we may not have had ourselves. For many families, those opportunities come in the form of youth sports. Travel teams, private coaching, camps, specialized equipment, and weekend tournaments all represent an investment—not just financially, but emotionally. We want our children to succeed. We want them to have confidence, friendships, discipline, and opportunities that athletics can provide. But somewhere along the way, it's worth asking ourselves an important question: Are we investing in creating the best athlete...or the best human being? Recently, I've witnessed two very different versions of youth sports. I heard about a junior league coach screaming profanities at 11-year-old athletes and breaking bats in frustration over their performance. Children who simply wanted to play the game left feeling intimidated instead of encouraged. I also attended a football kicking camp where I watched highly ranked athletes display two completely different mindsets. Some talented players acted as though the camp revolved around them. They kicked and tossed another player's equipment aside without concern, refused to help retrieve footballs for others, and interrupted coaches while they were teaching teammates. Their talent was obvious—but so was their entitlement. Then there were the athletes ranked even higher. These kickers consistently performed at an elite level, yet they quietly picked up everyone's footballs, carefully moved other players' equipment when necessary, celebrated teammates with high-fives regardless of the outcome, encouraged younger athletes, and simply demonstrated respect for everyone around them. The difference wasn't talent. It was character. Watching these young athletes left me wondering: What is the mental health of these children? What messages are they receiving from the adults in their lives? What pressures are they carrying? What are we, as parents and coaches, unintentionally teaching them? Children don't simply learn how to throw a ball, kick a football, or swing a bat. They learn how to respond to failure. They learn how to handle success. They learn how to treat people. They learn what adults value most. If winning becomes more important than integrity, children notice. If mistakes are met with yelling instead of teaching, children notice. If parents tie their child's worth to statistics, rankings, or scholarships, children notice. Over time, these messages can contribute to anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, fear of failure, depression, and loss of enjoyment in the very sport they once loved. The Mental Health Side of Youth Sports Sports are one of the greatest classrooms life offers. They teach resilience. They teach teamwork. They teach perseverance. They teach leadership. But only when adults create an environment where learning is more important than perfection. Athletes who feel psychologically safe are more willing to take risks, recover from mistakes, and continue developing both on and off the field. Those who fear disappointing adults often become consumed by anxiety instead of growth. What Can Parents Do? As parents, we have tremendous influence over how our children experience sports. Here are a few ways to prioritize both performance and mental wellness: Praise effort more than outcomes. Celebrate hard work, persistence, preparation, and attitude—not just wins, rankings, or statistics. Teach respect. How your child treats teammates, opponents, officials, coaches, and even equipment says far more about them than a scoreboard ever will. Model emotional regulation. Children learn how to handle adversity by watching the adults around them. Stay calm after mistakes and losses. Let coaches coach. Support your child without adding pressure from the sidelines or the drive home. Remember that mistakes are teachers. Every missed shot, dropped pass, strikeout, or missed field goal is an opportunity for growth—not evidence of failure. Encourage teamwork. The athletes who celebrate others often become the teammates everyone wants beside them. Protect their identity. Your child is far more than an athlete. Help them develop friendships, interests, academics, and hobbies outside of sports. Ask different questions. Instead of asking: "Did you win?" "How many points did you score?" Try asking: "Did you have fun?" "What did you learn today?" "Who encouraged you today?" "Who did you encourage?" Those conversations build confidence that lasts long after the season ends. The Goal Isn't Just Scholarships Very few youth athletes will play professionally. Even fewer will receive full athletic scholarships. But every child will become an adult. The habits they build now—resilience, humility, empathy, responsibility, perseverance, and kindness—will influence their relationships, careers, and families for decades. As parents, coaches, and communities, we have the opportunity to raise young people who not only perform well under pressure but also care for others, lead with integrity, and navigate life's challenges with confidence. At Prairie Sky Counseling, I believe mental health and athletics are partners—not competitors. When we prioritize emotional wellness alongside athletic development, we help young people build something much greater than athletic success. We help them become healthy, resilient adults. Because at the end of the day, the scoreboard will eventually disappear. Character won't. About Prairie Sky Counseling At Prairie Sky Counseling, I work with adolescents, adults, first responders, and high-responsibility professionals throughout Wyoming via secure telehealth. Whether you're navigating stress, anxiety, burnout, parenting challenges, or helping your young athlete manage the pressures of competition, support is available. If you or your child could benefit from learning healthy coping skills, building confidence, or managing performance-related anxiety, I'd be honored to help.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to be featured on the NY Executive Podcast. The interview was a brief five-minute segment, but it was an incredible experience. To my surprise, the segment received a 9.4 out of 10 ranking, and there were 17 call-ins from listeners—something I was told is considered very high engagement for that type of spot. One of those calls caught me completely off guard. A listener asked if I offered life coaching. At first, I didn't think much about the question. But afterward, I found myself reflecting on it. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 17 years of experience helping individuals, couples, families, and helping professionals navigate life's challenges, I realized something important: Many people genuinely do not understand the difference between a life coach and a licensed therapist. And honestly, why would they? Both professions talk about goals, personal growth, overcoming obstacles, and creating positive change. From the outside, they can sound very similar. But the differences are significant—and understanding them can help you make the best decision for your mental health, personal growth, and overall well-being. What Is a Life Coach? A life coach is someone who helps clients identify goals, develop action plans, and stay accountable as they work toward desired outcomes. Life coaches often focus on areas such as: Career advancement Personal development Motivation and accountability Leadership skills Goal achievement Time management Many life coaches provide valuable support and encouragement. However, it is important to understand that life coaching is largely an unregulated profession. In most states, there are no specific educational requirements, licensing standards, clinical training requirements, or governing boards overseeing life coaches. Anyone can complete a certification program—or sometimes no formal training at all—and call themselves a life coach. What Is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker? A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is a highly trained mental health professional who has completed: A master's degree in social work Extensive graduate-level clinical training Thousands of hours of supervised clinical experience National licensing examinations Ongoing continuing education requirements Ethical and legal oversight through a state licensing board An LCSW is qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions while helping clients improve their overall quality of life. We help clients navigate: Anxiety Depression Burnout Trauma and PTSD Grief and loss Relationship challenges Stress management Life transitions Family conflict Self-esteem and identity concerns We are trained not only to help people move forward but also to understand what may be preventing them from moving forward in the first place. Here's the Part Most People Don't Realize Licensed therapists do much of what life coaches do. We help clients: Set goals Improve confidence Build healthier habits Strengthen relationships Develop leadership skills Improve communication Create work-life balance Increase resilience Clarify values and priorities In many ways, therapy includes coaching. The difference is that therapy goes deeper. When a client feels stuck, a life coach may focus on creating a plan for moving forward. A licensed therapist can help identify whether anxiety, unresolved trauma, chronic stress, burnout, depression, unhealthy relationship patterns, or limiting beliefs are contributing to the problem. We don't simply help people reach goals—we help them understand what is standing in their way. Why This Distinction Matters Imagine trying to build a house on a cracked foundation. You can have the best blueprint in the world, but if the foundation isn't stable, progress becomes difficult. The same principle applies to personal growth. Many people come to therapy believing they need better motivation, more discipline, or stronger willpower. What they often discover is that they are carrying emotional burdens that have never been addressed. Perhaps they're exhausted from years of caring for everyone else. Perhaps they're struggling with anxiety that keeps them awake at night. Perhaps they're carrying unresolved trauma from experiences that continue to affect their relationships, confidence, and ability to trust themselves. No amount of goal-setting can fully address those issues. That's where therapy becomes transformative. The Benefits of Working With a Licensed Therapist Working with a licensed therapist offers several advantages: Clinical Expertise Licensed therapists are trained to recognize mental health concerns that may be affecting your daily life and overall functioning. Evidence-Based Approaches Therapists use interventions supported by research, not simply personal opinion or motivational techniques. A Safe Place to Process Therapy provides a confidential environment to explore emotions, experiences, and patterns without judgment. Long-Term Chang Rather than focusing solely on symptom management or productivity, therapy addresses root causes and promotes lasting growth. Professional Accountability Licensed therapists are held to strict ethical standards and professional oversight designed to protect clients. So Which One Should You Choose? If you are generally functioning well and primarily want accountability, goal-setting, or career development, a life coach may be a helpful option. However, if you are experiencing stress, burnout, anxiety, relationship struggles, emotional exhaustion, grief, trauma, or simply feel stuck despite your best efforts, a licensed therapist can provide a broader range of support. The truth is that life isn't divided into neat categories. Our goals, relationships, emotions, mental health, and life experiences are deeply connected. As therapists, we recognize those connections and help people create meaningful change from the inside out. Final Thoughts I'm grateful that listener asked me whether I provide life coaching. What initially caught me off guard sparked an important realization: many people don't fully understand the value and scope of what licensed therapists do. As an LCSW, I don't simply help people cope with problems. I help them understand themselves more deeply, heal from past experiences, develop healthier patterns, strengthen relationships, and create lives that feel aligned with who they truly are. That's much more than coaching. It's helping people build a healthier foundation so they can thrive in every area of their lives. If you've been wondering whether therapy might be right for you, consider this your reminder that you don't have to wait until you're in crisis to seek support. Therapy isn't just about surviving difficult seasons—it's about creating the life you want while having a trained professional walk alongside you every step of the way. Michele D. Ogburn, LCSW Prairie Sky Counseling Helping Wyoming's helping professionals, first responders, and busy caregivers find balance, reclaim their energy, and create lasting change through compassionate virtual therapy.
