In 500 words I have written my personal experience and my aims as a mental health sport therapist.

The year is 2009, I’m 16 years old and had moved into my final two years at school, the academic pressure was on. On top of that, I was training to be selected for the GB orienteering team, felt socially pressured and was trying to navigate teenagerhood. My physical health begun to suffer, with respiratory issues and recurrent throat infections. I had numerous hospital visits to try to understand what the cause was. Over the next two years I continued to struggle with my physical health, the demands of life and my mental health deteriorated.

In 2011, I started university and my physical health worsened. The doctor concluded that I had glandular fever and that I needed to take it easy for a few weeks.

Three years later, aged 21, having only gotten worse health wise, I finally received a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. Within these three years I had to drop out of university, was sofa bound for around six months, lost friends and completely lost my sporting identity. I had gone from training 5-6 days a week, sometimes twice a day, to struggling to walk around the house. I was a ghost in my own body, trapped. My mental health was at an all time low, I was depressed, anxious and isolated. I was experiencing a traumatic and life changing event, which I wouldn’t understand until much later in my recovery journey.  

After several years of rehabilitation, therapy, and psychoeducation, I regained full health. This time round though I had the tools and resources to live a life where I was connected, had boundaries, and could emotionally support myself. I had learned so much about myself and worked hard with my therapist to become a healthier individual so I would not repeat the same patterns and end up burning out again.  

Hindsight is a beautiful thing, it gives us the opportunity to reflect and understand what we can do differently next time. I have learned an enormous amount from my own experience and gained knowledge about burnout through further education. My mission is to help prevent burnout in others, or for those already currently experiencing burnout, support you back to full health and help process this life changing event.

My love for psychology during this time grew and I went on to gain two degrees in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a further two-year diploma to become a mental health therapist. Since these qualifications I have embarked on continued professional development including trauma informed working and neurodiversity.  

As a mental health sport therapist I can provide empathy and understanding to those in a similar situation, and I feel fortunate to have the chance to support others back to full health. Although there are certain steps to take, I understand that each case is individual and I treat everyone with that in mind.

If you have any questions or would like additional support do feel free to get in touch to book in for a free 30 min chat.

Warm wishes,

Rachel