Hannah Silva-Breen

she/her

athletic counselor | pre-doctoral intern

Hannah will begin seeing clients mid-May. Complete the form below and we’ll reach out to you to get you scheduled.

As a former basketball player turned coach, I bring a blend of athletic experience and sport psychology expertise to my work at Skadi Sport Psychology. Currently pursuing my PhD in sport, exercise, and performance psychology and MA in clinical mental health counseling at West Virginia University, I provide mental performance consulting services while conducting research focused on making positive change in sport.

In sessions with me, athletes and coaches will find a warm, understanding environment to explore challenges and aspirations openly. I focus on understanding your whole story - not just as an athlete or coach, but as a person. Through thoughtful conversation and practical exercises, you'll learn to work with your emotions rather than against them, using them as valuable information to guide your performance and personal growth.

I believe in helping athletes and coaches become the authors of their own success stories. Rather than focusing solely on problems, I'll guide you in identifying your strengths and past successes, using these as building blocks for future achievements. You'll learn to view challenges with new perspectives and develop practical solutions that match your goals and values.

What sets me apart is my special focus on helping athletes learn to thrive through failure. We know setbacks are inevitable in sport, so I'll work alongside you to turn these challenges into opportunities for growth. With my expertise in body image and disordered eating, I also provide specialized support for athletes looking to improve their relationship with food and their bodies, both in and out of competition.

In sessions with me, you can expect:

  • A judgment-free space where you can openly discuss your challenges

  • Practical strategies that blend sport psychology principles with real-world athletic experience

  • A balance of serious work and light-hearted moments - I believe in the power of humor to build connection and resilience

  • Collaborative goal-setting that starts with your unique needs and circumstances

  • Support that extends beyond performance to focus on your overall well-being as an athlete

As an intern at Skadi Sport Psychology, I offer services at a reduced rate. All of my work is supervised by Dr. Ayala, ensuring you receive high-quality, professional support on your athletic journey.

    • LGBTQ+ athletes

    • Coaches

    • High school athletes

    • Collegiate athletes

    • Adult athletes

    • Anxiety

    • Body Image Concerns

    • Burnout

    • Confidence

    • Disordered Eating & Eating Disorders

    • Fear of Failure

    • Perfectionism

    • Relationship Conflicts

  • Education

    • PhD in Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology, West Virginia University (expected 2026)

    • MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, West Virginia University (expected 2026)

    • MS in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport & Exercise Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (2022)

    • BA in Psychology & Exercise Physiology, Gustavus Adolphus College (2018)

    Licensure & Credentials

    • Pre-licensed clinician under the supervision of Dr. Ayala

    • Mental performance consultant under the supervision of Dr. Ayala (certification expected in Fall 2025)

    Coaching Experience

    • Basketball Coach, Minnesota Suns AAU Girls Basketball (12 years)

    • basketball

    • volleyball

    • soccer

    • running, track & field, cross country

    • ice hockey

    • gymnastics

    • swimming

    • baseball

    • golf

    • softball

    • figure skating

    • diving

    • football

    • wrestling

    • Emotion Focused Therapy

    • Narrative Therapy

    • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    • Solutions Focused Therapy

    • Performance Coaching

    • Silva-Breen, H. & Voelker, D. (in progress). Experiences of embodiment in collegiate sport: A mixed-methods study. West Virginia University. 

    • Russell, H. C., Tracey, J., Silva-Breen, H., & Becken, E. S. (in press). Dealing with and growing from athletic injury: Best practices for mental skills training consultants and coaches. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action.

    • Matheson, E., Schneider, K., Tinoco, A., Silva-Breen, H., LaVoi, N. M., & Diedrichs, P. (2023). How can we help you? A global mixed method investigation into girls’ body image experiences in sport and intervention preferences. Body Image, 46, 265-279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.06.012

    • Matheson, E., Schneider, K., Gentili, C., Tinoco, A., Silva-Breen, H., White, P., LaVoi, N. M., & Diedrichs, P. (2023). A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions that target the intersection of body image and movement among girls and women. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2023.2258379

    • Matheson, E., Schneider, K., Gentili, C., Tinoco, A., Silva-Breen, H., White, P., LaVoi, N. M., & Diedrichs, P. (2023). Body confident coaching: A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the acceptability of a web-based body image intervention for coaches of adolescent girls. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, online, 1-26, https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2023.2212023

    • Silva-Breen, H., Schneider, K., Tinoco, A., Matheson, E., & LaVoi, N. M. (2022). Development and preliminary validation of the Coach Self-Efficacy Body Image Scale (CSEBIS). Body Image, 43, 408-419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.10.008

    • LaVoi., N. M., & Silva-Breen, H. (2022). Longitudinal analysis of head coach employment turnover of women’s NCAA D-I teams. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 15(1), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.17161/jis.v15i1.15738

  • Performance Coaching:

    • $105 per 50-55 minute session

    • available for athletes and coaches in all states and provinces

    Mental Health Therapy:

    • $105 per 50-55 minute session

    • Available for athletes and coaches in Minnesota

    • If you’d like, we’ll communicate with your insurance to determine whether you’re eligible for Out-Of-Network insurance benefits. If eligible, we’ll take care of the claims for you. You’ll pay up front, and then you’ll (eventually) receive a check in the mail from your insurance!

  • I love animals! I have two dogs, Beckham (Aussie) and Jules (Pitbull), and a cat, Oakley.