In what ways do you see the stigma surrounding mental health in sports evolving?
Dr. LaKeitha: There has been an amazing shift in removing the stigma of pursuing mental health and wellness in sports. This evolution has elevated the world of sports overall because it normalizes the idea of athletes being more than “machines” or “products”, which is no different than how we view them when they have a wrist sprain or ACL tear. It has been amazing over these last few years to see so many prominent athletes speaking out about their mental health journeys and the ways they have benefitted from prioritizing their well-being.
What inspired you to become a mental health expert?
Dr. LaKeitha: I chose to become a mental health practitioner as a career in my senior year of high school. As a New Orleans native, that year (2005) my family and I experienced the most traumatic experience of our lives through Hurricane Katrina. We lost everything, were temporarily homeless, I lost my senior seasons of my sports and had to face a number of uncertainties about what was next daily for several months. During that time, I observed the mental and emotional toll the experience was having on my mother, a single mother and school teacher who was doing her best to care for her teenage daughter and aging widowed mother. While she never sought therapy during that time, I watched her find outlets for self-care and emotional well-being to keep pressing to find a way to get us back to New Orleans after months of being evacuated. When I was finally able to get back to New Orleans the following spring to complete my senior year, I took a psychology elective course that completely opened my eyes to the world of mental health and gave me the language for what my family and I had experienced. It was life-changing, and I made the decision to use my gift in that area to educate and support others in that area for the rest of my career.
How do you stay current with the latest research and developments in sports psychology to best serve your clients?
Dr. LaKeitha: I’m an avid reader and writer! I love learning new things and am constantly searching for new knowledge in the worlds of psychology, mental health, performance, and sports performance. I also surround myself with other amazing colleagues doing this same work who I am constantly learning from and being advised by. I believe that no one’s best work happens in isolation, so it’s really important for me to remain a lifelong learner and challenge myself to take opportunities in a wide variety of settings and environments in the sports and mental performance spaces.
What do you believe sets your practice apart in terms of supporting the mental health needs of athletes compared to traditional therapy approaches?
Dr. LaKeitha: Both the structure of Small Talk and my personal therapeutic identity sets us apart in supporting and meeting the needs of athletes and performers (CEOs, Health Care Professionals, coaches Teams & Organizations). All emotional change doesn’t just come in the form of traditional therapy. At Small Talk, we’ve designed a holistic mental health experience that supports people in unique ways, including book clubs, performance workshops & seminars, wellness retreats, and consulting. I’m so proud of the ways that we have continued to help decrease mental health stigma by meeting people where they are and in the ways that make the most sense for their growth and well-being. The past 9 years in business have been amazing and the most fulfilling years of my life.
How can our readers connect?
Dr. LaKeitha: https://www.instagram.com/lakeithap?igsh=dXp5c3l0bjM0d3Fp
Photo Credits: Courtesy of Dr. Lakeitha Poole
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