About

Staff

Ryan Colby

MA. LPC-CO. LPCC-OH. NCC.

Helping athletes is my passion. As an athlete mental health specialist, mental health counselor, and former athlete, I specialize in working with athletes and performers to improve their mental/emotional health, face challenges in life and sport, and develop skills to function at their best both on and off the field. I’m here to help you overcome those hardships and navigate your story while working with you through the many challenges that life and athletics has in store.

Contact:

Ryan@athletementalhealthco.com

720-432-7803

Qualifications

Founder, Mental Health Counselor, Lead Athlete Mental Health Specialist - Athlete Mental Health Co

Licensed Professional Counselor - Colorado

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - Ohio

National Certified Counselor - National Board for Certified Counselors

Certified Mental Performance Consultant - Association for Applied Sport Psychology, in progress

Professional Member - American Counseling Association

M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

B.A. Psychology & Exercise Science

Mike Nicastro

MA. LPCC.

Endurance Sport Specialist

As a former Division-1 athlete, high school cross country and track coach, and current ultramarathoner, I understand the mental demands athletes face both in competition and in everyday life. My counseling work is rooted in the belief that athletes are whole people, not just performers. While I specialize in supporting endurance athletes, I work with clients across all sports and levels who are navigating the stress, identity questions, and emotional struggles that often come with an athletic lifestyle.

Whether you’re in the thick of training, recovering from injury, navigating retirement from sport, or wrestling with perfectionism, I provide a space where your full self is welcome.”

Contact:

Mike@athletementalhealthco.com

720-468-0903

Qualifications

Athlete Mental Health Counselor - Athlete Mental Health Co

Professional Member - Colorado Counseling Association

Lauren Cole

Clinical Mental Health Extern

Mental Performance Specialist

With a lifelong background in sports, I’ve noticed many of the pressures, expectations, and identity challenges that often come with performance-driven environments. I’m passionate about creating a space that blends mental performance with meaningful mental health work.

My goal is to support you in better understanding yourself and what matters to you, both within and beyond sport.

Contact:

Lauren@athletementalhealthco.com

847-508-8642

Qualifications

M.A. Sport and Performance Psychology

PsyD - In progress

The Process

Ryan helps clients pursue growth and improve their mental and emotional health and purposeful change in their lives. His work as a counselor involves helping clients to regulate their emotions, improve self-awareness and distress tolerance, develop coping skills, as well as changing behaviors and thought patterns while navigating their unique story.

 

Athlete Mental Health Co

Areas of Expertise

  • Anxiety and performance anxiety

  • Stress management and distress tolerance

  • Depression, burnout, fatigue

  • Injury recovery and athlete retirement

  • Identity development and confidence

  • High performance and coping skills

  • Grief and loss

  • Relationship issues

  • Interpersonal effectiveness and communication skills

 
  • Fear and self-doubt

  • Emotion regulation and self-awareness

  • Mindfulness and self-awareness

  • Body image

  • Safe-sport support

  • Team dynamics and culture in sport

  • Mental skills training and mental performance consultation

  • Goal setting and motivation

  • Adults, young adults, and adolescents

Let’s talk

Your initial consultation is free