Kelsey A. Varzeas, PhD, LMHC, CMPC
Pronouns: she/her/hers
EndureWell
“Providing psychotherapy and mental health support for athletes and their support systems.”
Licensed mental health counselor - specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, body image dissatisfactions, psychological ramifications of relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs)/low energy availability (LEA), overtraining syndrome, career counseling, stress management, anxiety, depression, self-worth, and life transitions.
Certified Mental Performance Consulting - imagery/visualization, concentration & focus, self-talk, stress management, performance anxiety, relaxation, burnout, navigating setbacks, goal setting, overcoming adversity, fostering resilience, communication, developing routines, sustaining motivation, perfectionism, culture creation, and emotional regulation
Locations available:
Licensed Mental Health Counselor in MA, VT, ID, and FL
Certified Mental Performance Consultant (nationwide)
Located in Worcester, MA - offers all services virtually and in-person workshops/race or crew support
Kelsey (she/her/hers) brings a blend of personal and professional experience to her work as a psychotherapist, research scientist, and sport and performance psychology professional. She aims to provide a warm and compassionate space for athletes to explore topics related to their unique social, cultural, emotional, and psychological stressors.
Athletes will find Kelsey to be supportive, utilizing a person-centered, strength-based, and evidence-based approach. She collaborates with athletes to identify past successes to develop practical solutions for current challenges. Currently, Kelsey provides mental performance consulting service while researching and providing psychotherapy for eating disorders, body image disturbance, and psychopathology in athletic populations. She has a particular interest in supporting the experiences of women in sport and those who identify as mountain or endurance athletes.
Outside of her professional, scholarly, and clinical lives, you will most certainly find Kelsey in the outdoors. As a nature lover, she experiences joy while skiing, trail running, gravel riding, hiking, and through other active pursuits. She honors the importance of rest and recovery through reading, laughing, and frequenting farmer’s markets.
What are your primary adventure disciplines?
Adventure racing, backpacking, camping, climbing, xc skiing, hiking, mountaineering, mountain running, mountain/gravel biking, road cycling, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, trail running, skimo, sky running, endurance swimming.
Rank your TOP 3 favorite adventure disciplines.
I don’t think I can put them in any order - I love them all so much!
Skiing (uphill/downhill/xc)
Gravel riding
Trail running/hiking
What would you say is your best adventure skill?
The one who always has an abundance of snacks, laughs the most, and will randomly break out into song!
Adventure achievements:
Becoming more confident on my gravel bike
Trusting my body to handle longer distances
Training my stomach to handle nutrition
Future adventure goals:
Crewing friends and loved ones on their most gusty adventures/goals
Cheering the loudest at races
Being flexible and saying yes to any opportunities that present
What is your favorite nature or adventure quote?
“Nature isn’t something to exploit for our personal gain. And when I go to the mountains, I do it with the utmost respect. We never conquer, we are merely granted passage.”
Do you have a bucket list of adventures? If so, what's at the top?
I don’t think I have a bucket list of adventures, but there are certainly some experiences that I’d like to have! I’d love to cheer on the Tour de France and UTMB, experience the Dolomites, complete the Camino de Santiago, and visit the Canadian Rockies.
How do you navigate setbacks or challenges during your adventures?
During my adventures, when I encounter setbacks or challenges, I take two minds. The first is to calm my mind and body through deep breaths and self-talk. I tend to panic when things go wrong, so reminding myself I am capable and durable is helpful. Once I’ve calmed down, I then engage in problem-solving strategies to navigate the situation.
What's the most unexpected thing you've encountered on an adventure?
My partner and I were hiking one weekend, and we stumbled across a couple trying to take a picture of themselves. I offered to take the picture for them, and they shared with me that they just got engaged. It was such a joyful experience to witness and be a small part of!
Do you have any rituals or traditions before or after your adventures?
Before an adventure, I always make a list of needed items and put my shoes behind my car. It helps me stay organized and reduces anxiety around forgetting something. After an adventure, I find the nearest place to get ice cream!
How do you incorporate mindfulness or reflection into your adventures?
When on an adventure, I like to use my five senses to engage in mindfulness. It helps to ground myself in the experience. I also avoid taking my phone out during an adventure to help stay present.
What aspect of your adventure experience brings you the most pride?
Before every adventure I am anxious. No matter how excited I might be for the experience, I always feel butterflies, “what ifs,” and find excuses popping into my head as to reasons why I shouldn’t go. This is why I am always so proud of myself when I start an adventure. The first few steps of a hike or trail run; the first pedals of a gravel ride; or the feeling of wind on my face downhill skiing are the moments that I am most proud of because I was brave enough to try.
