Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Tania Alaby-Varma, PsyD, HSP.
Hi Dr. Tania, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a fiercely athletic family and tried just about every sport before starting tennis at 12. Within a few years I rose through the provincial ranks and won the Canadian U16 National Doubles title. My life quickly revolved around training, travel, and competition. I attended sports-study schools and finished my last two years of high school online to accommodate the tour. When several NCAA Division I programs offered full athletic scholarships, I made an unconventional choice: I turned them down to test my ceiling on the professional WTA and ITF circuits.
At 16, I moved from Canada to South Florida to train full-time with my coach, a former Romanian Olympic coach. Those years were an education in the realities of elite performance—pressure, self oriented and socially prescribed expectations, an identity tied to results, learning to rebound after tough losses—and while navigating trauma. After challenges on tour and limited support, I pivoted to coaching tennis full-time. Eventually, I returned to school on a full athletic scholarship at Lynn University in Boca Raton, competing for the NCAA women’s team while studying psychology.
Coaching sharpened my eye for the mental game: confidence, attentional control, pre-performance routines, and clear communication under stress. It also showed me how often athletes—and high performers outside of sport—struggle quietly with anxiety, perfectionism, depression, injury, role transitions, and retirement. I pursued graduate school to earn my doctorate in clinical psychology while coaching tennis and staying active.
Today, I practice as a clinical and sport psychologist while staying active in tennis as an Elite USPTA Professional. In my clinical work, I am often the first person to bear witness to stories of transition, trauma, strength, pain, loss, and celebration from diverse populations—individuals, couples and families seeking tools to better understand, navigate, balance, and enjoy their lives. My approach blends evidence-based therapy with a coach’s practicality: we set clear treatment goals, build routines, and turn mental skills into daily habits—on court, in classrooms at work and at home.
In short, I came to psychology the way I came to sport: through disciplined practice, honest feedback, a strong work ethic, and the belief that growth is a skill. The court was my first lab. Now my private practice—and sometimes the baseline—are places where people learn to perform with purpose and well-being.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not smooth- The path was full of both external and internal hurdles. Externally, I ran into unfairness and favoritism—situations where effort didn’t always equal opportunity—and the inevitable transitions of teams, coaches, and environments. Personally, I wrestled with elements of trauma, family challenges, and the grief and loss that come with setbacks, and the identities we outgrow.
Those experiences shaped me as much as any win. I learned to tolerate uncertainty, to separate self-worth from results, and to advocate for myself when systems weren’t fair. My experiences also deepened my empathy as a clinical psychologist: I understand what it’s like to keep showing up when the playing field isn’t level, to rebuild after loss, and to navigate big life transitions. Those lived experience snow informs my work—helping clients pair evidence-based tools with resilience, so they can perform and live well even when the road isn’t smooth.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m Dr. Tania Alaby-Varma, a licensed clinical psychologist committed to personalized, informed, and compassionate care. My work lives where rigorous science meets real human connection. I specialize in individual and couples therapy, comprehensive psychological assessment with an emphasis on ADHD assessment and treatment , as well as sport/performance psychology for high performers—athletes, physicians, artists, and executives. I am licensed in Florida, New York, Maryland, and Texas, and I hold a PSYPACT authorization, which allows me to see clients via telehealth in 42+ states. My practice is based in Delray Beach, FL and is mostly virtual and I collaborate closely with psychiatrists when medication consultation is helpful.
Clinically, I integrate psychodynamic and relational therapy with evidence-based approaches—CBT, ACT, DBT, TF-CBT, MB-CBT—and protocol-driven treatments for insomnia, phobias, and PTSD. I’m also trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Levels 1 & 2). My style is warm, direct, and collaborative: we clarify goals, map patterns, and build practical tools you can use in daily life. Patients often describe me as deeply empathetic, steady in my commitment, endlessly curious, and authentic.
What I’m most proud of is the trust patients place in me and the durable change that follows: the adult who finally understands their ADHD and thrives with the right supports; the couple who rebuilds respect and connection; the athlete or executive who learns to perform with steadiness and self-kindness. What sets my work apart is the combination of strong clinical training and lived experience in high-pressure arenas, a holistic view of mind–body–relationships, and an unwavering dedication to quality care. I bring together evidence-based methods, clear feedback, and a compassionate warm presence—so growth isn’t just possible; it’s sustainable and deeply personal. It is an honor to be trusted and to become a meaningful part of my patients’ lives. I look forward to being of assistance and working with you.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I work with adults, adolescents, and couples via telehealth for therapy and psychological assessment (including ADHD) and academic accommodations (SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT, GRE) and ESA letters. I am licensed in FL, NY, MD, and TX, and PSYPACT authorized to see clients across 42+ states. I also partner with professionals and organizations on sport/performance psychology, team workshops, leadership under pressure, and integrated care alongside psychiatrists, physicians, and schools. Clinicians and programs can engage me for consultation and supervision.
Feel free to connect via text/email (561) 576-7612 · DrTania@DrTaniaPsychology.com or via my website: www.DrTaniaPsychology.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DrTaniaPsychology.com
