Integrating Mental Health into Sports Medicine at the LA Marathon
Team photo before the start of the 2025 LA Marathon. I’m in the center with the blue vest.
Every once in a while, I find myself at the right place at the right time and get to be a part of something special. In December 2024, I met with Adam Boardman, LMFT, who specializes in psychotherapy for athletes. We connected during a brief virtual coffee meeting to introduce ourselves and share our work. With about a minute left in our meeting, Adam informed me that he had been advocating for the integration of licensed therapists into the medical tents at the LA Marathon.We stayed in touch during the lead-up to the LA Marathon on March 16th. As often happens in the world of sport psychology, Adam’s proposal was accepted on short notice. After 18 months of advocating, he officially received the green light to assemble the LA Marathon’s inaugural medical psychology team—just 17 days before the event.In my role as chair of the Los Angeles County Psychology Association (LACPA) Sport and Performance Psychology Special Interest Group (SIG), I have helped develop a community of mental health professionals engaged in applied sport psychology. I was excited to recruit team members from our SIG, and ultimately, our group comprised half of the medical psychology team, serving as the backbone of the crew.Integrating Clinical Sport Psychology into Medical Teams for Athlete Support
As members of the medical psychology team, we were integrated into the UCLA Health medical tents and joined teams of sports medicine providers—including physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. We were on hand to provide psychological first aid, offering a calming and stabilizing presence to runners in emotional distress.Real-World Applications of Clinical Sport Psychology at the LA Marathon
This year, over 25,000 people participated in the LA Marathon. I personally met with about 55 runners in Medical Tent 7, which was stationed at mile 18 and across the street from mile 25 of the 26.2-mile race. Although I have worked with cross country and track and field teams—providing team building and mental skills training—this was my first experience at a mass event.Providing Critical Mental Health Support for Athletes
Much of my role involved being an unofficial point person: greeting incoming runners, inquiring about their ailments, and directing them to an available physician or nurse. With the medical staff working at a hurried pace, I assisted in every way possible—whether directly related to providing psychological first aid or otherwise. On more than one occasion, my clinical sport psychology skills came in handy. Completing the LA Marathon carries immense meaning for many runners; they participate for a variety of reasons, such as honoring a lost loved one, qualifying for the Boston Marathon (the world’s oldest annual marathon), or simply proving to themselves they have the “mettle.” It can be devastating when a runner faces a race-ending injury and is forced to stop. I was there to support these athletes—leading them in box breathing to help manage intense physical pain and serving as a compassionate sounding board as they grieved the loss of their dreams for this year’s marathon.Join the Movement: Elevate Athlete Mental Health with Clinical Sport Psychology
Experiences like these reaffirm the importance of integrating mental health support into athletic events. They remind us that every runner, no matter the outcome, deserves compassionate care and understanding. If you’re passionate about improving athlete mental health or need specialized support, I invite you to reach out to me. I’m here to offer insight, strategies, and help you navigate the mental challenges of athletic performance. Contact me today and let’s work together to elevate athlete care and performance.