You perform under pressure. Who helps you with the pressure?
Telehealth therapy in New York and New Jersey for athletes, students, performers, and creatives who want to do their best work without burning out.
Is this you?
You play, perform, or test great in practice and freeze when it counts.
Your sense of self rises and falls with your last game, grade, audition, or review.
Perfectionism keeps you going, and it's also wearing you down.
An injury, a cut, a rejection, or a slump has shaken your confidence.
School, private school, or college pressure feels relentless.
You're a writer or artist who's stuck, and the blank page has started to feel personal.
How we help
Performance anxiety isn't a lack of talent or toughness. It's your nervous system trying to protect you at the worst possible moment. We help you understand what happens in your body and mind under pressure, and give you tools to steady yourself: mental skills, focus and recovery routines, and CBT for the thoughts that spiral.
We also look at the bigger picture: identity outside of your sport or craft, perfectionism, burnout, setbacks, and the people and expectations around you. Our team includes a clinician certified in mental performance who specializes in perfectionism, a therapist who works with Broadway performers and NYC students, and a writing coach who works with creatives.
In the first month, you'll look at what's getting in the way, when it shows up, and what "performing well" means to you. Sessions are by telehealth and can work around training, rehearsal, and class schedules.
Who you'll work with
Ilena Robbins
LMSW
Ilena helps young adults, LGBTQIA+ clients, NYC students, and performers with performance anxiety, imposter syndrome, and school pressure.
Meet Ilena
Vasilina Orlova
MHC-LP
Vasilina is a bilingual English and Russian therapist who treats trauma with EMDR and OCD with ERP, and works with creatives and LGBTQIA+ clients.
Meet Vasilina
Rebecca Brooks
LMHC-D, LPC
Rebecca is a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor focused on perinatal anxiety for new and expecting parents, especially fathers, along with perfectionism and performance anxiety.
Meet RebeccaWhat it costs
Sessions are $175 to $225. Most clients pay privately and use their out-of-network benefits: we send a superbill every month, and many PPO plans pay back part of each session. Some of our clinicians are in-network with select plans, so ask us during your free consult.
See fees and how insurance reimbursement works.Frequently asked questions
Is this therapy or performance coaching?
It can be both. Some people come for focused mental skills work before a season or audition. Others want therapy for the anxiety, perfectionism, or burnout underneath. Your therapist will tailor it to you.
Do you work with student athletes and teens?
We work with high school, college, and graduate students, as well as adults. Ask during your free consult about which clinician fits your age and situation best.
I'm not an athlete. Is this still for me?
Yes. Performers, musicians, writers, students facing big exams, and professionals with high-stakes presentations all deal with the same pressure.
Can we meet around my training or rehearsal schedule?
Sessions are by telehealth, so you can join from wherever you are. Many of our clinicians offer evening hours.
What if I'm coming back from an injury or a setback?
That's a great time to start. Injuries, cuts, and rejections can shake your identity and confidence, and talking it through helps you come back steadier.