Mark Odland – MA, LMFT

In my years as a therapist I’ve worked with many successful men, including professional athletes and olympians. If you’re an elite athlete, I know you’ve sacrificed a lot to get to this point. You’re surrounded by a team of coaches, trainers, and advisors, so it makes sense that you’d consider a mental coach as well. A strong body without a strong mind is like a sports car running on empty. Gaining a mental edge can be what separates you from the competition, and what allows you to live a more fulfilling life. As an athlete, I understand your mindset. And as a trained therapist, I understand the importance of what it takes to gain a mental edge.

I understand the competitive mindset because I was a 3-sport athlete (football, basketball, and tennis). Football proved to be my most successful sport, and my senior year I served as team captain and was fortunate enough to be selected all-conference, named offensive-back MVP, and set the single-season Minnesota State Record for yards/catch before going on to earn a college football scholarship. Now in my 40s, I strive to maintain a strong body and mind by practicing jiu jitsu, boxing, lifting weights, surfing on frigid Lake Superior, hunting, and hiking the rugged wilderness of northern Minnesota.

I understand what it takes to gain a mental edge, because I’ve helped over a thousand clients identify and move past the mental barriers that hold them back. This is no small thing, because outside of physical injury, it’s the mental, emotional, and relational issues that are most likely to prevent you from reaching your full potential… not only in sports, but in life. As humans, none of us are immune from things like stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, trauma, and broken relationships.

If you tear a ligament, you need a good surgeon to get you back on track. When it comes to the mind, you need an emotional surgeon who can systematically guide you through a process of deep healing, eliminating insecurities and emotional barriers at their source. As a Certified EMDR Therapist and relationship expert, that’s what I specialize in. Like an airline pilot guiding you through a storm, there will be some turbulence along the way. But my commitment is to help you land safely on the other with a renewed sense of calm, clarity, and motivation. And because I’ve chosen not to accept insurance, your information will not be shared with third parties and I won’t label you with a diagnosis. A man in your position needs discrete, confidential support, and that’s exactly what I provide. While every client is different, counseling or mental coaching may help you to: