Teen Athlete Psychiatry
High school athletics demand more than physical skill. Managing pressure, recovering from setbacks, staying focused when it counts: these are are where performance is won or lost. For some teen athletes, that mental side becomes a barrier that talent alone can't overcome.
Good Wolf Wellness offers psychiatric care specifically designed for teen athletes. Psychiatry with a performance lens and a therapy-first approach, with use of medications thoughtfully when indicated.
What Brings Teen Athletes Here
The presenting problems vary, but the pattern is familiar:
Performance that holds up in practice but breaks down in competition. Anxiety that shows up before big games, in pressure moments, or on the bus ride to a meet. A bad performance that lingers longer than it should. Burnout that looks like laziness but runs deeper. ADHD or mood issues that affect focus, routine, and consistency. Identity that has become too tied to results.
These aren't character flaws or mental weakness. They're clinical problems that can manifest in school, sports, and home life. Fortunately there are solutions, and a psychiatrist who understands athletics can help address them comprehensively.
The Approach
Therapy and mental skills first. Medication when clinically indicated, never reflexively.
Each evaluation starts by understanding the whole athlete, not just symptoms. We discuss competitive history, sport demands, team dynamics, academic and home life pressures, and what performance actually means to them. From there, care is built around what the athlete needs: mental performance tools, integrative psychotherapy, medication management, or some combination.
Parent coordination is built into every visit. You'll know what's being worked on and why, without compromising the confidential space your athlete needs to do the work.
Who This Is For
Teen athletes ages 14+ who are motivated to engage in their own development. The best outcomes come from athletes who want to be here and work on mental health as it pertains to their sport and life as a whole.
This is also a strong fit for athletes who work with a sports psychologist or therapist and need a psychiatric evaluation, medication assessment, or a higher level of clinical care integrated with their mental performance work.
For Referring Providers
Good Wolf Wellness is designed to complement, not replace, the work of therapists, sports psychologists, and performance coaches. If you have a teen athlete who needs psychiatric evaluation, medication management, or more intensive mental health support alongside their mental performance work, this practice is built for that handoff.
Referrals are straightforward. Coordination with your existing work is welcome.
Chicago and Illinois
Located at 213 W Institute Pl, Suite 210, Chicago, IL 60610. Telehealth available across Illinois. In-person by appointment only.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a free 15-minute introductory call to discuss your athlete's situation and whether we're a good fit.