Lily Dean is a Performance Coach and Clinical Mental Health Counselor-in-Training who specializes in working with athletes, high performers, and individuals navigating the pressures of achievement, identity, and personal growth. A former Division I NCAA gymnast at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and competitive gymnast for more than 18 years, Lily combines firsthand experience in elite sport with training in counseling psychology and mental performance to help clients build confidence, manage pressure, and perform at their best.

Lily specializes in helping clients navigate performance anxiety, perfectionism, injury recovery, burnout, and major life transitions. She works collaboratively with athletes, professionals, and other high achievers to strengthen resilience, develop mental skills, and cultivate a healthier relationship with performance while staying connected to their values, relationships, and overall well-being. She believes meaningful growth occurs through self-awareness, authenticity, and connection, and strives to create an environment where clients feel supported, understood, and empowered to pursue lasting change.

Lily is currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University and is pursuing certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through Strata Performance. As someone who has personally experienced the demands, sacrifices, and identity challenges that accompany high-level competition, Lily brings both professional training and lived experience to her work. She is passionate about helping athletes and high performers pursue excellence without losing themselves in the process.