So You Want to Be a Sport Psychologist?

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Sport psychology is a dynamic and rewarding field that bridges the gap between psychology and athletics. It focuses on helping athletes, teams, and organizations optimize performance, enhance mental well-being, and manage challenges both on and off the field.

What Does a Sport Psychologist Do?

Sport psychologists support athletes and teams in various ways. Their roles often include some combination of the following:

• Individual therapy: Addressing personal challenges such as anxiety, depression, or relationship concerns that may or may not impact athletic performance.
• Performance consultations: Providing strategies to help athletes optimize their mental performance, such as improving focus, confidence, and mental toughness.
• Team sessions: Fostering team cohesion, communication, and resilience within teams.
• Outreach and education: Conducting workshops and training sessions for athletes, coaches, and staff.
• Crisis management: Helping athletes navigate and cope with emergencies, such as injuries or personal issues.
• “Sideline” interventions: Providing real-time mental performance support during competitions.
• Consulting with staff: Collaborating with coaches and support staff to ensure holistic care of athletes.

Where Sport Psychologists Work

Sport psychologists operate across various, diverse settings, including the following:

• Youth sports programs and clubs
• High schools and athletic academies
• College and university athletic departments
• Professional sports teams
• Olympic and Paralympic organizations
• Medical centers and rehabilitation facilities
• Private practice
• Non-athletic settings, such as business, military, and the arts

Working With Athletes: Unique Challenges

Athletes represent a distinct population that is expected to operate at very high levels while under constant scrutiny and pressure to perform. At the same time, athletes possess diverse strengths and uniquely high levels of resilience while leading busy, demanding lives. These unique strengths and challenges require tailored services provided by competent providers to address their specific needs, including the following:

• Performance slumps: Managing periods of decreased performance.
• Perfectionism: Navigating overly high and rigid expectations.
• Social connections: Balancing relationships with rigorous training.
• Injury and recovery: Coping with mental challenges during rehabilitation.
• Mental health concerns: Addressing issues like anxiety and depression.
• Transitions: Adapting to life changes, such as retirement from sports.

The Mental Health-Performance Continuum

Sport psychology organizations like the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) recognize that mental health and athletic performance exist on a continuum. While optimal mental health can (and is often necessary to) enhance performance, mental health challenges like anxiety and depression can inhibit performance. A sport psychologist's role often involves striking a balance between these areas to achieve peak performance and maintain well-being. This continuum also recognizes the importance of professionals who can work across the mental health-performance continuum; thus, there are three pathways to working in the field of sport psychology:

1. Licensed mental health providers (LMHPs): Providers who have obtained an advanced degree and licensure in psychology, psychiatry, counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy and provide clinical, but not performance-related, services to athletes.
2. Clinically trained certified mental performance consultants: LMHPs who have also obtained certification as a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC). The title of “sport psychologist” is generally reserved for providers who have obtained a license in psychology and provide a combination of mental health and mental performance services, though not all sport psychologists have obtained a CMPC.
3. Mental performance consultant: Consultants who have completed an advanced degree in sport psychology and obtained certification as a CMPC. Mental performance consultants provide mental performance, but not clinical, services to athletes.

Each pathway requires some combination of graduate education (a master’s or doctorate in psychology or sport psychology); specialized coursework in mental performance, sports science, and counseling techniques; practical, supervised experience working with athletes; and clinical licensure or certification as a CMPC.

Source: Association for Applied Sport Psychology

Steps You Can Take Today

If you are ready to further explore sport psychology as a career path, consider taking these actionable steps today:

• Get involved: Become a member of and explore resources (e.g., listservs, undergraduate connections groups) through the AASP or the American Psychological Association’s Division 47.
• Volunteer: Gain valuable experience by volunteering your time working with local sports teams or organizations. Experiences gained through coaching, officiating, and mentoring provide unique experiences and perspectives valuable to working as a sport psychologist
• Explore job opportunities: Research current openings in the field to better understand what positions may be available to you and what type of training and credentials they require.
• Pursue certification: Consider obtaining a CMPC credential to enhance your education and boost your credibility.
• Network: Build connections with other professionals in the field of sport psychology. Many opportunities in athletics come directly from those within your network.
• Market yourself: Find your “niche” and market those skills through social media, blogs, or training/workshops. Ask yourself what you can uniquely contribute to the field of sport psychology.

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Becoming a sport psychologist offers an exciting career that combines passion for working with athletes with the field of mental health. By understanding the unique needs of athletes, sport psychologists are well-positioned to foster well-being and elevate performance among this population. However, the education and training required to work in the field of sport psychology are often unclear given multiple pathways to the field. A better understanding of these pathways and current market trends will set you up for a fulfilling career that best fits your professional goals and interests.