The Off-Season Isn't Off Limits: Why Eating Disorder Therapy for Athletes in NJ Matters Year-Round
Summer is often looked at as a break from everything, including mental health. It is the off-season for athletes, the off-season for school, and even for teachers. Everyone needs a break, right? Balancing taking a break while taking care of yourself can sometimes be challenging, especially in eating disorder recovery.
Eating disorder thoughts often persist during the off-season and can even be more pesky. I want to talk to you about why eating disorder therapy in NJ is crucial for athletes, even during a time when rest and relaxation are taking place.
The Hidden Challenges of the Off-Season
Summer often means student athletes are home from college, and there is a break from formal coaches and structure. This lack of routine can be challenging for many. Maybe there is a decrease in training volume, leaving anxious thoughts around possible changes in your body or fitness. There may be a fear of weight gain or performance decline.
The lack of oversight from coaches and trainers can feel freeing and also overwhelming. There is more free time for social outings and situations to take place around food, leaving you feeling even more out of control. This time is supposed to be a time of rest, recovery, and freedom, yet you feel consumed by thoughts of food and your body.
Why the Off-Season Is Critical for Eating Disorder Therapy in New Jersey
At Serendipity Counseling Services, we understand that mental health doesn’t take a break. The disordered thoughts around food fill the gaps of time in your schedule. The extra time and energy for reflection can feel overwhelming because it means being confronted with the emotions with no distraction.
The thing is, this is the time to process, reflect, and sit through the discomfort while learning how to cope with the hard emotions. Eating disorder therapy is actually MORE sustainable without the extra stress of school and competition. Practicing important skills and coping mechanisms becomes easier when your stress level is lower.
What Does Eating Disorder Therapy in NJ Look Like in the Off-Season
Oftentimes during the season, it is easy to get wrapped up in performance goals and emotions around getting to peak performance. These are all very important parts of eating disorder therapy. However, it can take away from the core focus of eating disorder recovery.
The off-season provides a prime environment to focus on body trust, emotional regulation, and food flexibility. It is also a great time to include family or other supports in treatment. This time also provides space to talk about who you are outside of your sport and how to bring those parts of you to the forefront of your daily life.
The Ultimate Goal of Eating Disorder Therapy in the Off-Season
Eating disorder therapy goals look different for everyone. However, a common theme I find is wanting to be able to feel less anxious during performance and while relaxing. Having the flexibility to enjoy food outings with teammates, nights out with friends, and family get-togethers, all without constant fears of how it will impact your body or your performance. The thing is that all this is wanted while still having structure and feeling in control, and I believe that this is 100% possible.
Most people stuck in an eating disorder think of control as eating specific portion sizes, certain foods, or sticking to very specific workout routines. With a shift into a healthy and flexible mindset, control can mean not allowing the eating disorder to choose what you eat, being able to actually listen to your body and do what it wants, and actively choosing rest and recovery when needed. Without the grip of an eating disorder, YOU are able to make these decisions. Now that is empowering.
Shifting from the Eating Disorder Mindset to Your Healthy Self
This shift is not easy. It means sitting through a lot of discomfort, learning how to regulate emotions when they come up, and gaining trust back with your body. This is a lot of exposure to tough feelings. So what better time to do this than when competition is not in high gear!
As an eating disorder therapist in NJ, I understand most want to rest during this period. But are you really resting with those intense eating disorder thoughts circling your mind constantly? Sometimes, when struggling with an eating disorder, distractions can feel like rest. Simply because you are not thinking about the thing that is constantly on your mind. So actively choosing to think about it is definitely the harder option here during the off-season.
However, I guarantee it is worth it! And you don’t need to do it alone. Making sure to keep weekly eating disorder therapy sessions during the off-season can be one of the most beneficial choices for your recovery. When so much feels out of control, that is something that can remain consistent and regular each week.
Take the First Step Toward Healing with Eating Disorder Therapy in NJ
Just because the competition slows down doesn’t mean the pressure disappears. If you're an athlete navigating food and body image concerns, the off-season can be an important time to address what’s beneath the surface. At Serendipity Counseling Services, we offer eating disorder therapy in NJ that honors your unique experience as an athlete, on and off the field.
Here’s how to get started:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to explore your goals and see if we’re the right fit.
Book your first eating disorder therapy session and begin working through the pressures that may be impacting your relationship with food, performance, and self.
Build a healthier foundation so you can return to sport with more balance and confidence.
Explore Expanded Services with Serendipity Counseling Services in New Jersey
In addition to offering eating disorder therapy for athletes in Cherry Hill, NJ, I provide tailored support for runners and work to elevate awareness about disordered eating in athletic spaces through speaking engagements and advocacy.
I also facilitate the Retired Athlete Support Group, a virtual gathering designed for former athletes to process their sports experiences, rediscover their identity beyond competition, and find connection in a compassionate, judgment-free space.
About the Author: An Eating Disorder Therapist in NJ Who Gets It
Kate Ringwood, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Serendipity Counseling Services, focuses on eating disorder therapy for athletes in Cherry Hill, NJ. Drawing from her own background as a competitive runner, Kate brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges athletes face with performance, body image, and food.
Her therapeutic style is rooted in compassion and lived experience, creating a supportive space where clients can rebuild a healthier relationship with their bodies. Beyond the therapy room, Kate frequently shares her expertise through speaking engagements and podcasts on topics like disordered eating, athletic identity, and mental wellness in sports.
