The Sports Performance + Recovery program focuses on performance mindset and the psychological aspects of injury recovery by aiming to develop four key pillars of strength: Cultivating Confidence, Establishing Goals, Identity Development, and Decision Making.
Our team of sport psychology trained Mental Performance Coaches have logged thousands of hours working in sport, spanning from youth athletics to professional athletes. This program helps to train the mental skills necessary to maximize their performance and enjoyment within sport. Many of our coaches have themselves competed at the collegiate Division III, Division I or professional levels. Each year 3.5 million athletes are injured. This program is also designed to help athletes fully recover both their bodies and their minds. SP+R is an evidence-based program that aims to apply sport psychology science to create practical solutions for athletes of any age or skill level.
Athletes can be paired with a Mental Performance Coach to create an individualized mental skills plan including but not limited to the following areas: Goal Setting, Motivation, Discipline, Emotional Regulation & Performance Anxiety, Imagery/visualization, Resilience, Self-Talk, Cultivating Confidence, and Team Dynamics. Services include: Individual Mental Performance Coaching, Athlete Informed Mental Health Counseling, Team/Group Sport Psychology Workshops, as well as Trainings for Coaches and Parents
For more information, email Joey Kang at: joey@riserandtread.com
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SP+R Partners: Boston College, Curry College, Kohr Golf, Noble & Greenough School, Berwick Academy, Middlesex School, Roxbury Latin
Joey Kang, CMPC, Clinician/Coach and Director of Sports Performance + Recovery
Joey Kang, M.Ed, CMPC, Clinician/Coach and the Director of the Sports Performance + Recovery Program (SP+R) at Riser+Tread, earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Boston College before completing a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Sport Psychology at Boston University, and has over four years of experience in the field. Joey is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and currently works with athletes from a variety of age groups to improve performance and wellbeing in relation to their sport. Joey has worked with youth athletes, NCAA DIII, and NCAA DI individuals. Joey specializes in sport psychology consulting for teams and individuals to help optimize their relationship with sport and maximize both performance and enjoyment.
Before joining Riser+Tread, Joey worked as an Intensive Case Manager at Eliot Community Human Services, delivering clinical and support services to underprivileged populations in the greater Boston area.
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Joey has developed a coaching style based around person centered and cognitive frameworks, as well as utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness as pillars of his clinical approach. Joey believes in the power of acceptance and action driven by values, leading to pathways of greater vitality and individual thriving.
For fun, Joey loves to cheer on Boston's sports teams, play golf and hang out with friends or family. Joey still remains an active competitor in a local men’s baseball league.
Bobby Looney, Clinician/Coach and Director of School Partnerships
Bobby Looney, M.Ed, Clinician/Coach and the Director of School Partnerships at Riser+Tread, earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College, as well as both a Master’s degree in Teaching and a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Sport Psychology from Boston University, and has over five years of experience in the field. He has previous experience at Walden Behavioral Care, supporting people in their recovery with eating disorders through individual sessions, group work, meal coaching, and emotional support. Additionally, Bobby worked as a Mental Performance Consultant for male and female athletes at the college level, both Division-I and Division-III, and at the elite high school level.
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After graduating college, Bobby was a middle school math teacher in Hyde Park, MA for five years. In addition to teaching, he coached high school soccer, high school volleyball, and both started and coached the middle school track and field team at his school. Bobby pivoted to pursue a career in counseling to be able to provide therapeutic support to adolescents, teenagers, and young adults to meets their needs. He utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy, as well as coaching, in his approach to the counseling space, emphasizing the importance of meeting the client where they are at.
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As a former athlete, student manager for his college football team, and track and field coach at the middle-school, high-school, and collegiate levels, Bobby is passionate about sports and can be found watching or talking about all things Boston sports. In his free time, Bobby enjoys golfing, listening to albums cover to cover, and hanging out with his family and friends.
Sina Shahrzad, Clinician/Coach
Sina Shahrzad, M.Ed, Clinician/Coach at Riser+Tread, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine before completing his Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Sport/Performance Psychology at Boston University. He has over six years of experience in the field.
Prior to joining Riser+Tread, he worked with the Crimson Mind & Body Team at Harvard University, providing individual sessions and group sessions for NCAA Division 1 student-athletes. During his time there, he collaborated with the athletic department to help provide accessible sport psychology and mental health services for athletes, coaches, and teams. Sina also has experience in Division 3 athletics, specifically at Tufts University and Emmanuel College, offering mental performance consulting for various teams and individual athletes. He is comfortable working with a range of sports including soccer, basketball, track & cross country, rowing, golf, football, lacrosse, baseball, softball, and hockey.
Sina utilizes a person-centered approach to applied sports psychology and integrates Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques based on a client’s individual needs. He always strives to create a safe, supportive space in sessions and loves using humor to help his clients feel more comfortable. He views mindfulness-based practice as a valuable foundational tool for addressing performance anxiety, confidence, injury recovery, burnout, body language, role confusion, goal-setting, and motivation. Sina is passionate about helping others maximize their potential and often leans on his mental performance expertise to guide clients on their unique journey of personal growth.
Sina is a lifelong athlete who has played soccer since the age of five, and he still enjoys competing in leagues around the Boston area. In his free time, he loves to play piano, cook, go to the gym, play sports with friends and spend time with family.
Emma Whall, Clinician/Coach
Emma Whall, M.Ed, Clinician/Coach at Riser+Tread, completed her Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience at Brown University before completing her Education Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology from Boston University. Emma has over five years of experience in the field.
Before joining Riser+Tread, Emma worked at Arbour Counseling’s The Boston Center, working with children, teens, and emerging adults. Emma additionally served as a Mental Performance Consultant on the Boston University Sport Psychology Team, multiple NCAA Division 3, and elite community programs, conducting sport and performance psychology team workshops and individual sessions. As a former NCAA Division 1 swimmer and 2-time, team voted captain, Emma believes in the combination of a mental health counseling and coaching approach to building dynamic relationships with her clients. She specializes in working with swimmers, runners, hockey, and lacrosse athletes.
Emma’s strength as a clinician lies in her ability to build rapport and establish trusting relationships with her clients. She approaches counseling from a person-centered perspective, focusing on the strengths and experiences of each unique client and facilitating a collaborative approach to promote client growth, empowerment, and well-being. Emma leans on evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), among other approaches, to help her clients achieve their therapeutic treatment goals. Emma specializes in working with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and a variety of other mental health concerns, as well as the ability to work with a diverse population of clients.
Outside of her work at Riser+Tread, Emma is an avid cook and baker, enjoying experimenting with new recipes and cuisines.
She also enjoys photography and crafting, specializing in portrait photographs and any new craft she can get her hands on.
Ted Andrews, Clinician/Coach
Ted Andrews, M.Ed., Clinician/Coach at Riser+Tread, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, before completing his Master’s of Education in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Sport and Performance Psychology at Boston University. He has over twelve years of experience in the field.
Prior to joining the Riser+Tread team, he worked with students in the Get Ready Program at English High School, providing both strength and conditioning training, as well as education and skill building in goal setting, motivation, and relationship building. During this time, he holistically integrated mind and body to help students begin learning the benefits of community, consistency, and facing challenges, while building relationships and getting to know each individual on a personal level. Further, Ted has experience in Division 1 and 3 athletics, having served as a Graduate Assistant in Boston University’s Strength and Conditioning Department, as well as offering mental performance consulting to Davidson University’s Baseball, Wellesley College’s Tennis, MIT Track & Field, and Brandeis Women’s Soccer teams. He is comfortable working across a range of sports including football, soccer, hockey, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, golf, baseball, softball, rugby, track & field, swimming, weightlifting, powerlifting, bodybuilding, CrossFit, and marathon running.
Ted utilizes a person-centered approach to applied sport psychology and integrates techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). Ted strives to create an enjoyable, safe, and trusting space for all to lean into personal growth both in and out of sport. Ted believes in considering mind, body, and environmental contexts, when supporting athletes as they navigate challenges such as performance anxiety, injury recovery, athletic identity, burnout, goal setting, retirement, and beyond.
Ted is a lifelong athlete, having played baseball and rugby at the Division 3 level, and continues competing in both summer baseball and softball leagues, as well as the occasional weightlifting meet. In his free time, he loves to cook/bake, spend time outside with his dog, and watch movies (especially superhero movies!).
Frances Snellings, LCSW
Frances Snellings, LCSW, brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and athletic insight to her work at Riser+Tread, where she supports clients in building emotional resilience and peak performance through a mind-body approach. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Bates College and completed her Master’s in Clinical Social Work at Boston College. With over six years of experience in the field, Frances integrates evidence-based therapeutic techniques with principles from sports psychology to help her clients thrive—whether on the field, in the classroom, or in daily life.
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Frances' professional background includes work in the Child and Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Department at Cambridge Health Alliance. She also served as an Executive Functioning Coach at the White Mountain School in New Hampshire, where she worked closely with student-athletes as a hiking leader and ski instructor and witnessed firsthand the power of movement, nature, and intentional community in promoting mental wellness.
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As a former wilderness guide and athletic coach, Frances understands the deep connection between physical activity and mental health. Her own experiences as an avid backcountry skier, trail runner, and former marathoner inform her therapeutic approach. She knows what it means to climb a mountain—literally and metaphorically—and brings that same grit, presence, and perspective to her work with clients. Frances is a strong believer in the foundational role of daily movement, quality sleep, and hydration in supporting cognitive clarity and emotional balance.
Aidan Sullivan, Clinician/Coach
Aidan Sullivan, M.A, Clinician/ Coach at Riser+Tread, achieved his Bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of New Hampshire prior to achieving his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regis College. Aidan has over 4 years of experience in the field.
Prior to joining Riser+Tread, Aidan worked with Doc Wayne Youth Services, working with children and teenagers. While at Doc Wayne, he provided both individual and group, sport-based therapy to provide tools, training, and services that address both emotional & behavioral barriers. As a former Division 1 runner, captain his Senior year, and former President of the Student-Athletic Advisory Committee, Aidan is devoted to his combination of mental health counseling and coaching approach to form strong therapeutic alliances with his clients.
Aidan specializes in helping his clients unlock their full potential through a combination of a person-centered approach with a commitment to building an authentic & trusting therapeutic alliance. Aidan’s work is rooted in empathy, active listening, and respect for each client’s unique journey - whether they’re navigating performance anxiety, recovery from an injury, or striving to balance both sports and life. Aidan utilizes certain therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), amongst other frameworks to aid clients in achieving their treatment goals. Aidan specializes in working with depression, anxiety, and other mental health difficulties.
Dennis Moran, Clinician/Coach
Dennis earned his Master’s in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Sport Psychology from Boston University, and has over four years of experience in the field. Recognizing the significant barriers to mental health treatment that young men and athletes have historically faced, Dennis strives to provide a therapy and coaching experience that is
particularly well-suited for these populations.
Prior to joining Riser+Tread, Dennis conducted sport and performance psychology team workshops and individual coaching with student-athletes and teams spanning multiple sports and levels of expertise. Some of his past experience includes working with women’s collegiate soccer players, boy’s high school hockey players, and members of a teen golf academy. At Riser+Tread, Dennis has worked with a number of athletes struggling with performance anxiety, identity development, and emotional regulation in sports including basketball, baseball, golf, hockey, swimming, and tennis.
Dennis utilizes a person-centered approach to therapy and coaching, helping clients realize personal growth and fulfillment by cultivating insight, acceptance, and motivation. Understanding that each athlete’s needs are unique to them, he aims to create a welcoming environment where clients feel comfortable speaking freely, and draws on a variety of evidence-based therapeutic techniques in conjunction with coaching and sport psychology language and strategies.
Personally, Dennis has played a variety of sports throughout his life. While baseball and hockey were the main areas of focus through young adulthood, he has taken to golf in recent years and tries to play as much as he can. Outside of athletics, Dennis enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, practicing yoga, and exploring the area with his dog.
Alex Ostrow, Clinician/Coach
Alex Ostrow, MA, Clinician/Coach at Riser+Tread, holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Management from UMass Amherst. Alex then discovered his passion for the field of mental health counseling and earned a Master’s degree from Bridgewater State University. As an avid golfer, Alex enjoys working with athletes of all kinds to build their mental strength skills and help maximize their performance both on and off the field. Since the beginning of 2024, Alex has worked as a Mental Skills Coach at the Kohr Elite Golf Academy, helping golfers to learn how improving their mental skills and strategies can profoundly impact their game.
With a varied background both in and out of the mental health field, Alex strives to be his client’s biggest supporter and draw from a wide range of personal experiences. He uses a variety of therapeutic models in his work with athletes both on and off the field, including CBT, mindfulness practice, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Alex has personally benefited from mindfulness practice in his life and enjoys teaching his clients how to develop their own mindfulness based skills. Mindfulness based skills can positively impact sport performance by benefiting multiple areas of crucial importance for athletes, such as emotional regulation, visualization/imagery, and focus.
Alex also enjoys helping athletes gain an improved sense of self-awareness of who they are as a person as well as an athlete. Alex looks to help guide his clients to better understand themselves in order to take action with intention through methods such as exploring their personal values, gaining insight into various types of motivation, and effective techniques for setting goals.
Anthony Aguirre, LCSW
Anthony Aguirre, LCSW, attended American University in Washington, DC, where he graduated with a degree in International Relations from the School of International Service and a certificate in Community-Based Research. After working as an educator, Anthony began his education as a social worker at Boston College, graduated with a Masters in Social Work (MSW), and has over six years of experience in the field.
As a former track athlete, Anthony has experience with performance anxiety, injury prevention, and visualization. He believes that hard work beats talent, and that process-oriented goals beat product-focused ones. He has worked with athletes from a wide variety of sports to help them focus on their goals with joy, full immersion, and mindfulness. He has a strong belief that athletic coaching and therapy-based coaching are aligned through their ties in habit forming, encouragement, communication, and constructing tools to be the best version of one’s self.
Avery Lord, Clinician/Coach
Avery Lord, M.Ed, Clinician/Coach at Riser+Tread, earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology (pre-Med) from Vassar College before completing his Master’s in Mental Health Counseling with a Specialization in Sport Psychology at Boston University, and has over three years of experience in the field. He has worked as a Mental Performance Consultant at both the Division I and Division III levels of college athletics, working with both male and female athletes. This includes individual work and leading workshops at the team level.
Having played a variety of sports, Avery’s passion has always been around athletes and teams. A combination of on-field experiences, as well as from the sidelines and working with a men’s lacrosse team in college, all drew him to a career working in athletics. Seeing the great need for mental health services in male athletics, a community that can be heavily stigmatized, solidified his desire to pursue a career in counseling. Avery believes in a person-centered perspective, utilizing an internal family systems lens, he takes a holistic approach to mental health that sets the foundation for his clinical and coaching work. He also incorporates elements of mindfulness to guide all clients towards gaining more awareness and learning how to live a more fulfilling and present life. Avery emphasizes creating a warm, safe environment for clients to explore their inner world and rediscover parts of themselves that are searching for connection and healing.
While not in the office, Avery enjoys golfing, reading, writing, cooking, and spending quality time with the people he cares about. He’s also an avid sports fan and enjoys all things Boston sports.
Macy Tarrant, Clinician/Coach
Macy Tarrant, M.Ed, is a Clinician/Coach at Riser+Tread and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Personality Psychology and Neuroscience Mental Health at Carleton University before going on to complete her Master’s of Education of Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Sport Psychology from Boston University. Macy has over four years in the field as both a mental health clinician and a mental performance consultant for various athletes and sports teams.
Before joining the Riser+Tread team, Macy worked in a neuropsychological assessment clinic in Allston, MA as a psychotherapist supporting a wide range of diverse clients. She also has experience with the BU Sport Psychology team supporting the BU Athletic Department with mental skills training in both a one on one and group workshop setting. Her experience as a mental performance consultant stretches NCAA Division I, II, and III as well as high level high school athletics to provide sport psychology services specifically building confidence, resilience, and psychological flexibility to athletes of all sports.
As a mental health clinician and mental performance coach, Macy works collaboratively with clients to work as a team toward a deeper understanding of client experiences and their potential. Using evidence-based tools alongside a compassionate, relational approach, she supports clients in uncovering their innate resilience and capacity for transformation. Macy’s clinical approach integrates psychodynamic therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), allowing her to tailor support that meets each client’s unique emotional and psychological goals. Whether someone is working through personal challenges or striving to optimize performance in their career, sport, or daily life, Macy’s goal is to create a space for deep exploration, growth, and resilience. Macy specializes in working with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or grief, among other mental health concerns.
While not in the office Macy enjoys all things sports including playing basketball, pickleball, golf, or watching anything that is on ESPN. She also likes to enjoy cards or board games with family and friends to stay competitive on the weekends.
Abigale Schuiling, Clinician/Coach
Abigale Hansen earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Utah and her Master's in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Sport Psychology from Boston University. With a background spanning various age groups, Abi currently works closely with clients including, but not limited to, NCAA DIII and NCAA DI athletes, emphasizing a holistic approach to enhance well-being and success across all aspects of life.
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Before focusing on mental health, Abi distinguished herself on the United States Professional Ski Halfpipe team for over a decade. Her experience navigating the challenges of professional skiing—competing, training, and traveling—while pursuing her education fueled her passion for integrating mental health support into sports. Post-athletics, Abi gained experience in intensive in-patient hospital settings, providing crisis intervention and support.
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Abi's strength lies in building rapport and fostering a safe, trusting environment where clients/athletes can explore their strengths and strive for both athletic and personal success. Her person-centered approach emphasizes collaboration, empowering clients to take an active role in their growth and well-being. Abi's use of evidence-based therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Person-Centered Therapy assures tailored support for each individual.
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As a former athlete, Abi maintains her love for outdoor recreational activities, including running, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, paddle boarding, wake surfing, biking, surfing, pickleball, and golfing. Indoors, she enjoys immersing herself in books and pursuing creative hobbies such as crocheting, drawing, and journaling.