Sport psychology is a discipline centred around understanding how psychology influences sports performance & how it can improve performance. It helps individuals to consistently perform in the upper range of their capabilities & enjoy their (e)sports performance.

Sport psychology can be applied to people of different:

*Sporting levels (recreational, amateur, elite)

*Ages (children, adolescents, adults)

*Performance settings (organisations, businesses, esports)

Sport psychologists can also provide value to sports teams’ supporting staff (i.e., coaches, physios, S&C coaches).

The way in which sport psychology can help individuals in each of these categories will depend on their presenting concern, goals & ambitions - amateur athlete seeking support to stay motivated to exercise VS elite athlete struggling with confidence before a big final

Individuals may find it helpful to seek sport psychology support when experiencing performance barriers such as:

*Low self-confidence or self-esteem

*Competition stress & anxiety

*Low motivation

*Choking under pressure

*Losing control of thoughts & emotions

*Recovering from injury & fears of re-injury

*Communication & team cohesion issues with teammates

*Difficulties with focusing, attention & concentration

*Loneliness or homesickness

*Irritable, angry & hostile feelings

*Job-related concerns (e.g., job security, media exposure)

*Transition issues (e.g., deselection, retirement )

Absolutely not. A common misconception people have is that they should only seek sport psychology support when they have a ‘’problem’’. This is not true.

Some athletes present specific issues or concerns that they would like to focus their attention on & talk about “right off the bat”, whilst others simply want to explore general possibilities & look to see what improvements or changes they might need to become aware of in order to reach a specific goal.

The brain is like a muscle in that if athletes train it, they will be better equipped & have the mental resources to cope with the presenting issues (e.g., remaining calm when losing during a match).

Why wait until something bad happens to seek sport psychology support when you can work with them now & be prepared to overcome performance issues yourself when presented with some? Prevention is better than cure.

The number of sessions will depend on the individual, the reasons why you are seeking sport psychology support & the severity of your concern. Nonetheless, a person typically meets with their consultant once a week or every ten days unless you & the sport psychologist decided that it would be beneficial for you to attend more or less frequently.

Each sport psychology consultant has their own style & approach when structuring sessions, however, there are some key elements that are commonly employed across the different therapeutic approaches.

The Intake Period

Unless the client has a highly specific need, the working relationship between the client & sport psychologist typically begins with an ‘’intake session’’. The aim is to paint a picture of what brought the athlete to seek sport psychology support & identifying goals to work on together. The consultant generally asks historical questions to help identify areas of a client’s life that may be useful to help the client meet his/her goals.

This intake process also allows the client & consultant to get to know each other, to both outline their expectations & identify whether they are the ’right fit’’ for each other. Once substantial information is collected about the client’s needs & objectives, the consultant will suggest a way forward on how, together with the client, they can best address their challenge.

It is sometimes possible for consultants to organise two or three intake sessions depending on whether they feel enough information is collected. Sport psychology consultants may also provide clients with questionnaires, observe the client during training & competition scenarios and/or speak with individuals that know them best (e.g., coaches, family) as part of the intake period.

Establishing Goals and Objectives

As part of the on-going assessment process, the sport psychology consultant will create a plan in collaboration with the client & establish a clear direction to support the client in reaching their goals & ambitions.

Following Sessions

The following sessions will be geared towards problem solving, reflection, skill building & practicing & mastering psychological skills to support clients in their journey of reaching their goals. Sessions usually take place face-to-face, through Zoom or on-site (sports club/organisation) & typically last an hour.

In the UK, a qualified Sport Psychologist is one that is registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) as a sport and exercise psychologist.

Two possible routes are possible to achieve this status namely via:

*The British Psychological Society (BPS)

*The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)

A third route is by undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology whereby upon completion individuals register as a practitioner psychologist.

Do not get discouraged. There are hundreds of different approaches in sport psychology, meaning that an approach adopted by one consultant may not fit or correspond with the way in which you like to work. Finding the ‘’right’’ sport psychology consultant is a trial & error process. There are thousands of consultants, keep trying until you find “the one”.

Research has shown that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one the most important components which facilitates the change process. It is, therefore, important that you feel as if your sport psychology consultant is someone you can trust, be honest with & open up to. It can sometimes take 3-4 sessions before you feel comfortable working with a sport psychologist & realise you would like to work long-term with them. Give it time, it will be worth it.

The initial session is a great opportunity to ask any additional questions you may have or feel free to contact us by filling out the form below.

If you would like sport psychology support, feel free to also get in touch.