Megan Hankins-Maldonado

You’re a parent of a high-performing athlete, and something feels different. You may be noticing changes in your child’s mood or behavior: they seem more withdrawn, anxious, irritable, or emotionally flat. Motivation has dipped. Sleep or appetite may have shifted. When you ask how they’re doing, you hear, “I’m fine,” but your instincts tell you otherwise. For many families, these changes show up after a season-ending injury or time away from sport. Loss of routine, fear of falling behind, feeling “forgotten,” uncertainty about returning, or being separated from teammates can deeply impact an athlete’s sense of identity. As a parent, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure how to help without pushing too hard or making things worse. Hi! I’m Megan Hankins-Maldonado, a licensed therapist with over 15 years of experience supporting adolescents and young adults. I specialize in working with athletes who are struggling with the mental and emotional weight of sport, injury, school, and life transitions. As a former collegiate athlete and coach, I understand the culture of athletics and the pressure to push through discomfort. After years in this world, I realized something important: even the most driven, high-performing people often struggle to slow down and care for themselves. Athletes are taught how to push and not always how to pause. My approach is clinically grounded in Solution-Focused/Insight-Oriented Therapy to help athletes build emotional awareness. I help athletes manage anxiety, mood changes, emotional overwhelm, and identity stress so they can navigate setbacks with more confidence and stability. Parents are supported throughout the process as well. While therapy remains your child’s confidential space, I value clear communication so families feel informed and reassured. If your athlete is struggling and you’re unsure how to help, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Give me a call for a free 15-minute consultation so we can talk through what’s going on and decide next steps together.