INSIGHTS

From Volleyball Star to Mental Health Expert: Campbell Bowden, LPC

By David Pearl, LCSW

At Music City Psych in Nashville, Campbell Bowden brings a unique perspective to mental health counseling. As a former Division I volleyball player at Baylor University, she understands firsthand the pressures, expectations, and mental hurdles athletes face. Now a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Belmont University, she provides individual therapy to children, teens, and adults, employing various therapeutic modalities and trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She also provides sports performance therapy to help athletes be their absolute best mentally, emotionally, and physically. Her goal is to equip individuals with tools to reshape their thinking, gain control over their emotional well-being, and achieve lasting change. 

Recently, Campbell joined SportsTalk on 600 ESPN El Paso to share her inspiring journey. In the interview, she opened up about the emotional and physical challenges she faced during her athletic career, including a battle with Lyme disease that ultimately reshaped her future. She discussed how these experiences led her to pursue a career in mental health, looking to ensure that other athletes receive the support they need to balance performance and well-being.

An Unpredictable Journey Through Sports and Adversity

When Campbell Bowden was dominating high school volleyball in El Paso, few could have predicted the twists and turns her journey would take. A three-time Player of the Year at Coronado High School, Campbell was one of the top volleyball talents to emerge from the city, eventually earning a spot at Baylor University, one of the nation’s elite programs. However, her story is about far more than athletic achievement. It’s a story of resilience, personal growth, and the power of mental health advocacy.

A Volleyball Prodigy from El Paso

Growing up in El Paso, Campbell was known for her relentless work ethic and competitive drive. Even at a young age, she understood that success required more than just talent.

My parents instilled a lesson in me…‘You’re never going to be the best, and you’ve got to keep working and stay humble and stay hungry.’ And so I kind of just try to put my head down and work as hard as I could and wanted to make El Paso proud.

That mindset propelled her to the pinnacle of El Paso volleyball. For three consecutive years, she was recognized as the city’s best player, an accomplishment that underscored her dominance in the sport. Her outstanding performances caught the attention of Baylor University, where she would go on to play at the Division I level in the highly competitive Big 12 Conference.

Battling Lyme Disease: A Career-Altering Diagnosis

At Baylor, Campbell quickly made an impact, earning a starting position and leading the Big 12 in passing percentage. However, her freshman season took an unexpected turn when she began experiencing unexplained health issues. Initially dismissing her symptoms as the wear and tear of collegiate athletics, she pushed through, believing exhaustion was simply part of the grind.

“I had been really sick all throughout the season, but just thought, ‘Oh, I’m a freshman at a top college program, and I’m just tired.

By November of her freshman year, the symptoms worsened, and she was diagnosed with Lyme disease. While initial treatments provided some relief, the battle was far from over. The following year, COVID-19 created an unexpected break, allowing her to regain her strength and return to the court. But her battle with Lyme disease was far from over. She later suffered a relapse that led to serious complications, including organ issues and the removal of her gallbladder.

It was just a very crazy journey to say the least…You never know when your sport’s going to be taken away from you, so why not give it your all when you have the chance?

A Tough Goodbye

As much as Campbell fought to stay on the court, her body simply couldn’t keep up. The toll of Lyme disease, compounded by relapses and gall bladder complications, forced her to make a painful decision: stepping away from competitive volleyball.

The decision didn’t come easily. She had spent months in denial, pushing through pain, hoping that the right combination of medication and sheer willpower could bring her back. But eventually, she had to face the reality that her athletic career was over.

Finding Purpose Beyond the Court

While the disease ultimately altered her athletic career, it opened the door to a new purpose. Initially planning to pursue a career in physical therapy, Campbell found herself drawn to the mental health struggles that often accompany elite sports. Her own experience with adversity fueled a passion for helping others navigate the psychological pressures of competition.

“I just started looking around, and my mom was like, ‘You know, it would be really cool to see if you could go somewhere and become a therapist.’

That realization led her to Belmont University in Nashville, where she pursued a master’s degree in mental health counseling. As a graduate assistant for the Belmont volleyball team, she found a new way to stay connected to the sport—this time, by supporting athletes from the mental health side.

The 1% Program: Addressing Mental Health in Sports

During her time at Belmont, Campbell developed the “1% Program,” a mental health workshop designed specifically for athletes. Named for the fact that only 1% of high school volleyball players go on to play Division I volleyball in college, the program focuses on managing negative self-talk, performance anxiety, and confidence-building strategies. The 1% Program emphasizes the philosophy that even small improvements each day can lead to significant progress.

“I think sometimes we put this expectation to get 100% better each day and some days we don’t have that 100% in us. Our 100% may look like 1%. And as long as we’re taking those steps and moving forward 1% each day, that is what’s going to get you to be successful.

Her work at Belmont reinforced her belief that mental health must be an integral part of athlete development. College athletes face immense pressures—balancing academics, social life, and the constant scrutiny of their performance, often amplified by social media.

Building a Career in Mental Health

After completing her master’s degree, Bowden joined Music City Psych, a private therapy practice in Nashville founded by David Pearl.

He’s been such a mentor to me and he was very involved with a lot of amazing things related to mental health and sports and the MLB. And so I’m now in private practice working as a mental health therapist as well as a sports and performance therapist.

When it comes to sports and performance therapy, she now works with both athletes and performers, helping them navigate the unique challenges of their careers. Her firsthand experience as a high-level athlete gives her an invaluable perspective when working with clients.

Through Music City Psych, Campbell provides in-person and virtual therapy sessions, allowing her to continue to work with athletes across the country. She also continues to expand the reach of the 1% Program, integrating it into her practice to empower athletes with strategies for mental resilience.

A New Mission: Expanding Mental Health Awareness in Sports

Campbell’s long-term vision is to continue growing as a mental health professional while advocating for broader awareness in collegiate and professional athletics. Her experience, from battling Lyme disease to thriving in a new career, gives her a unique voice in the conversation surrounding mental health in sports.

My ultimate goal would be to go around speaking to different teams and programs about my story and how it can help motivate, encourage, and bring in the mental health aspect to that.

She encourages athletes, coaches, and sports organizations to embrace mental health as a key component of performance, not as a secondary concern. In an era where everyone is realizing the importance of mental well-being, Campbell’s work is just getting started.

Talk to Campbell About Your Own Journey

Campbell Bowden’s journey is one of transformation. From an elite athlete in El Paso to an individual therapist in Nashville, she has turned personal challenges into a mission to support others.

For those interested in working with Campbell or learning more about individual therapy or sports and performance coaching, contact Music City Psych today. 

Listen to the full interview here.

Article written by:

David Pearl

LCSW, Psychotherapist and founder

I am a psychotherapist, executive coach, and organizational consultant helping athletes, performers, professionals, and businesses in Nashville, Tennessee, New York, and online via telehealth.

I obtained my Master’s degree from The Silver School of Social Work at NYU and my Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am formally trained in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and have certifications in Imago Relationship Therapy and Prepare/Enrich Premarital and Marital Counseling.

Campbell Bowden playing volleyball.
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