Mental Health KC Presents…
Mental Health KC Presents is a series of free webinars intended to extend the education and training provided by the Mental Health KC Conference.
The views and opinions presented are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Metro Council.
Mental health professionals: Join us for the live webinar in order to receive a one-hour certificate of attendance. Certificates will not be offered for watching replays.
Important note for participants: AI note-taking apps are not permitted as a substitute for attendance. If an AI notetaker is logged in without the participant also being present in the session, it will be removed. Certificates of attendance will only be issued to individuals who are personally logged in for the full session.
By registering for a webinar, you are opting in to receive emails from Metro Council. You can opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails.
Trainings and Webinars
Title: Beyond the Game: Supporting Athletes’ Mental Well-Being
Presenter: Kelsie Carlton
Thursday February 12, 2026 from 12-1pm Central Time (US and Canada)
Description:
Athletes are often praised for their physical strength, discipline, and competitive drive—but behind the accolades, many face unique mental health challenges that are frequently overlooked. This presentation explores the psychological landscape of today’s athletes, with a focus on youth and competitive-level performers, and the hidden pressures that impact their emotional well-being both on and off the field.
Designed for therapists, counselors, mental health professionals, coaches and athletes, this session examines the intersection of sports culture, performance expectations, identity development, and mental health. Attendees will learn to recognize early signs of distress in athletes and understand how perfectionism, burnout, injury, and fear of failure can contribute to anxiety, depression, and identity confusion. We’ll also explore the added complexity of dual relationships when professionals serve as both therapist and coach.
Through real-world examples and case discussion, the presentation provides practical strategies for engaging athletes in therapy, addressing stigma within sports communities, and building a collaborative support system between parents, coaches, and clinicians. Participants will leave with tools to foster resilience, enhance motivation, and help athletes redefine success beyond statistics and scoreboards.
Whether working in private practice, schools, or sports organizations, professionals will gain a deeper understanding of how to support the whole athlete—not just their performance, but their personhood.
Objectives:
1. Recognize the unique mental health challenges athletes face, including identity pressures, performance anxiety, and burnout.
2. Understand how sports culture, coaching styles, and expectations can influence an athlete’s emotional well-being and willingness to seek support.
3. Identify practical tools and strategies to support athletes’ mental health—on and off the field—whether you’re a parent, coach, educator, or mental health provider.
Zoom Registration for this webinar:
REGISTER HERE »
Kelsie Carlton, LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Country Crossroads Counseling in rural Missouri and the founder of the their Community Crisis Coalition. A former athlete and current youth sports coach, Kelsie brings a unique perspective to the intersection of mental health and athletics. She is certified in both EMDR and Trauma-Focused CBT and specializes in trauma-informed care. As a mom of two young athletes, Kelsie is passionate about helping families, coaches, and communities support mental wellness both on and off the field.
Past Webinars May Be Available on our YouTube Channel
Subscribe and click the notification bell to be alerted every time a past webinar is uploaded. Uploads may take a week or longer after the webinar takes place so please be patient. Certificates of attendance are not available for webinar replays.
Mental Health KC (Metro Council) hosts free educational webinars the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.
Would you like to be a presenter? We take webinar proposals on a rolling basis throughout the year.
These webinars are a great way to spread information or share research that helps educate either the general public or clinicians/therapists/social workers/others in mental health fields.
