Sarah Wilkes-Lizmore
Registered Psychotherapist (RP), CRPO #11406
Client Focus: Teens (13+), Athletes, Teams, Adults
Modalities: Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Self-Compassion, Somatic Awareness, Person Centred, EMDR
Common Concerns: Anger, Anxiety, Confidence, Depression, Identity and Self-Development, Performance Enhancement, and Self-Esteem
Areas of Practice: Anxiety, Depression, Coping Skills, Mental Performance, Self-Compassion, Mindfulness
I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. I hold a Master's in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. My path into psychotherapy was shaped by two worlds I know well, teaching and sport. As both an educator and an athlete, I witnessed firsthand the impact of mindset, resilience, and mental well-being on performance and overall health, and that inspired me to bring my athletic and professional experience together to help clients strengthen their mental game and their well-being.
Drawing from an integrated, person-centred approach, I recognize that each individual is complex and unique. My role is to guide and support you in understanding your thoughts and emotions, helping you navigate challenges and equipping you with the tools to move forward with clarity and confidence. I like to think of therapy as strengthening the mind in the same way we strengthen the body at the gym. It builds resilience, enhances well-being, and helps you perform at your best. I integrate evidence-based sport psychology skills such as visualization, performance scripts, and mindfulness with therapeutic strategies that support long-term growth. My approach is eclectic, drawing from Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), self-compassion practices, somatic awareness, Person-Centred Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
I specialize in working with athletes, high performers, and students who face the pressures of performing in competitive environments, whether in sport, academics, or professional settings. My areas of expertise include performance anxiety, confidence building, identity and self-development, leadership development and mental toughness, burnout prevention, and injury recovery. When setbacks or mental roadblocks arise, I help clients reframe challenges, tap into their strengths, and develop strategies to stay composed under pressure. Whether you are bouncing back from injury, managing nerves before competition, or trying to balance high performance with life outside of sport, I use tools that are both practical in the moment and transformative over the long run.
Starting therapy is a significant step, and my goal is to create a safe, supportive, and collaborative space tailored to your needs. In our first session, we will explore your story, goals, strengths, and challenges, then begin shaping a game plan that builds on your existing abilities while offering new tools and perspectives. One thing I wish more athletes knew is that you do not have to wait until you are struggling to work on your mental game. Just like physical training, mental training builds resilience, focus, and confidence over time, and the earlier you start, the stronger and more consistent your performance becomes. As an athlete myself, I understand the demands of high-performance environments and bring both empathy and lived experience to my practice. If you are ready to take the next step toward optimizing your mental well-being and performance, I invite you to reach out and schedule a session.
Performance Interests: I currently compete at an international level in the sport of curling. Off the ice, I stay active through training, enjoy spending time with my family, and recharge with my two dogs.
