Danimal

Associate MFT, MA Clinical Psychology. Therapist for Esports players. Retired VAL coach. Ex Glazers, XSET, SQ. Email | [email protected]

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

You never sharpen the skill of being in conflict together, to be able to advocate for your needs without abandoning the other person. Over time, this corrodes your relationship to yourself.

If this rings true to you, and you want to change this pattern, send me a message.

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

One of the strangest aspect of being on an Esports team is that you are heavily incentivized to be close friends with your teammates which means that, not only are you are expected to be with them during long practice days but also queue ranked with them,

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

And while this is most acute within teams, it extends out into the wider community. It’s easier to “just move on” when the teams change configuration every ranked game, every trial process, every tournament, but this builds a practice of relational avoidance.

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

@crunchyyworld Thanks, Crunch!

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

I am seeing clients both in-person in my office in Los Angeles and remotely. If you're interested in a free consultation, you can reach me at [email protected], or on discord at "danimal."

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

Hi all, it's been a minute. Since I last posted, I became a full-time therapist.

I'm beginning to offer therapy specialized for Esports professionals.

I am, to my knowledge, the only therapist who has lived the Esports lifestyle, as a pro coach, for years.

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

If you're at a point where it feels like the pressure is piling up, and you need a helping hand, I provide practical tools and a comfortable space to initiate deep change.

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

@Ballatw @LeaderGrev Extremely relatable interview

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

This is a photo account now

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

Yosemite fills me with joy

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

@slowiscool

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

2 years of coaching, 7 months of life

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

Can’t just vaguely gesture at mental health every once in a while. Exercise, cultivating face-to-face friendships, creative hobbies, some form of mindfulness/journaling/awareness are all parts of the antidote.

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

Biggest difference between competing in esports and doing anything else is how you and everyone around you are insanely depressed compared to rest of the population. It’s hard to see when you’re in it, because your “community” is in the same situation. It’s normalized.

[Danimal @DanimalVal]

I started working at a school during last few months of competing. Teachers are obv super stressed but they’re all easily happier than almost everyone I talked to who competes. This lifestyle is objectively bad for your brain, you have to take many active steps to combat it.