Young Women Athletes - Amanda Sovik-Johnston

Young Women Athletes is designed to meet the physical and mental health needs of 8th-12th grade girls.

Young Women Athletes have a unique set of goals, pressures, and outlook on life. If you know one, or are one, you understand! Most are driven, perfectionistic, and even a little anxious. This is what it takes to excel in their world.

During COVID, many formalized sports have taken a break, leaving athletes to struggle with their identity, energy levels, and eating patterns. Many females, in particular, began to pour their perfectionism into under-eating, over-exercising, or not exercising at all. Some developed depression, anxiety, and/or eating disorders. They need their coaches, team, and endorphins to help them reset and feel good again.

For athletes that are competing, there continues to be pressure, intensity, and anxiety about performance. Balancing sleep, nutrition, friends, school, family, recruiting, etc, is demanding and exhausting. Many athletes struggle with worrying about all aspects of their game and life— not knowing where to turn. Additionally, many teenagers need simple tips and tricks for goal-setting, recovery, and mindset that can enhance their performance— and their life.

Young Women Athletes is designed to meet the specific physical and mental health needs of 8th-12th grade girls. We help our athletes strive towards improving their overall mental health and peak performance through:

Conditioning Groups: Building strength, endurance, and flexibility with certified
trainers. More info here

Athletic Performance Groups: Improving sports performance and athletic
movement. Groups conducted over Zoom, allowing enrollment from outside of Virginia.
More info here

Mindset Groups: Education and discussion on issues related to athletes. Groups
conducted over Zoom, allowing enrollment from outside Virginia. More info here

Membership Community: Social media network for YWA members only, including exclusive interviews with elite women athletes as well as psychoeducation and support. We are providing a healthy, adult-monitored alternative to typical social media networks to ensure body positive and inspirational content!

We are building a team, which is where these girls thrive. We hope our program culminates in a group of young women killing it on the field, court, or in the water as an overall athlete an human being.

The Young Women Athletes program was developed by child psychologist Amanda Sovik-Johnston, Ph.D.and clinical social worker, Sarah Lewis, LCSW. Both were once Young Women
Athletes.

To enroll, call 434 202 4080 or email asovik@virginiafamilytherapy.com.