Pressure and confidence
Replaying a mistake, worrying about selection, or feeling weighed down by expectations.
AnchorAthlete™ · Lighthouse Wellness
Support for the person playing the sport.
For middle-school and high-school athletes navigating pressure, confidence, injury adjustment, and the moments when sport feels hard.
The mistake they keep replaying. The practice they dread. The disappointment they bring home. Michael Straw is preparing a focused private-pay service for athletes and their families.
See the plan and fees ↓January 2027 launch in preparation. Appointment booking has not opened.
Where support can begin
The moments around the game matter.
Injury and change
Adjusting to time away, a changing role, or a plan that did not work out as expected.
Family conversations
Finding a way to talk about effort, disappointment, and support when everyone cares about what happens next.
Meet Michael
Michael Straw, MA
Michael’s behavioral-health background includes outpatient counseling, crisis work, family and group work, substance use, and managed care.
AnchorAthlete brings his interest in young athletes together with attention to the person, the relationships around them, and the demands they face.
The appropriate service, parent involvement, and location eligibility will be discussed before appointments begin.
Explore his counseling background →Private pay · launch in preparation
A clear starting point.
Initial appointment: $160. Follow-up appointments: $120 for 50 minutes. Insurance will not be accepted for this offering.
A six-session option is planned, with individual appointments also available. The final package definition and terms will be published before booking opens.
Appointments are not open yet.
We are preparing scheduling and onboarding for a planned January 2027 launch. This page will provide the appointment-request link when those arrangements are ready.
Existing clients should continue using their current practice’s contact and scheduling arrangements.
Before you get started.
Does my athlete need to be pursuing a college scholarship?
No. The focus includes middle-school and high-school athletes dealing with pressure, setbacks, injury adjustment, and their experience of sport.
How will parents participate?
Parent involvement, privacy, and the purpose of the work will be agreed at the start. The athlete needs a clear understanding of what the work involves.
Is this counseling or mental-performance coaching?
Michael will review the concern and determine which service is appropriate. The service description, consent process, and location eligibility will be clear before work begins.
Will there be groups?
Athlete groups are being considered. Dates, age groups, and registration details are not yet available.