Frequently Asked Questions
Who is qualified as a Sport Psychologist?
- A qualified Sport Psychologist is typically a Licensed Psychologist In California. One must be licensed as a Psychologist in order to refer to themselves as a “Sport Psychologist.”
- They have demonstrated proficiency in the practice of sport psychology training (i.e., completed specific academic coursework and 400 hours of supervised experience). For example, they are certified by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), an international organization that oversees the credentialing of practicing sport psychologists. AASP certified consultants agree to abide by the AASP Ethics Code.
[visit: http://appliedsportpsych.org./consultants/become-certified for details on the AASP consultant certification process]
[visit: http://appliedsportpsych.org/about/ethics/code for details on the AASP Ethics Code]
[visit: http://appliedsportpsych.org/about/ethics/code for details on the AASP Ethics Code]
* Many individuals represent themselves as sport psychology professionals listing membership in “professional organizations” which provide official sounding titles with payment of a membership fee; however, these organizations do not formally review individual’s credentials, education or training experiences. They may even serve on their “Board of Directors” without the qualifications to even call themselves sport psychologists.
How can a sport psychologist help an athlete to improve their performance?
Sport psychology consultants can help athletes learn how to consistently perform better through mental skills training. Some applied sport psychology techniques include: goal setting, managing anxiety, communication, visualization/ mental rehearsal, positive self-talk/building confidence, and injury recovery.
What questions to ask to assure you will be working with an experienced, qualified, and ethical Sport Psychologist:
- What licensure, certification or registration process have they completed in order to identify themselves as a sport psychologist?
- What type of formal training or related supervised experiences have they had working in the field of sport psychology. How many years they have been doing sport psychology? Have they trained with anyone in the field? And if so, whom?
- What organizations or teams have they presented to? Can they provide you with a list of coaches, managers or team administrators they have assisted? *Please note, they should not tell you who (individual athletes) they have specifically worked with because that would constitute an ethical violation (namely, a breech of confidentiality).
- What types of athletes and what sports have they worked with? Under what circumstances would they refer to a colleague? This question is important to assess whether they know their limits (what they are good at and what is not their expertise).
- What are some of the typical problems athletes present with and how have they helped them overcome their issues?
- What professional organizations are they a member of? Are they a member of AASP? The American Psychological Association (APA) Division 47 – Society for Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology? Are they a member of a local professional organization (e.g. San Diego Psychological Association)?
[Visit: http://www.apa47.org/choosePro.php (APA’s Division 47) for additional guidelines on finding a qualified sport psychologist]
When would an athlete seek out a sport psychologist for help?
Athletes may find it helpful to consult with a sport psychology consultant when they are having some performance issues or difficulties. We often see athletes struggling with the following issues: poor self-confidence, performance anxiety, burn-out, “choking” under pressure, conflict with coaches or teammates, recovery from injury, fear of injury or re-injury, losing control of their emotions, “mental blocks”, overcoming emotional or physical fears, etc.
What is the difference between a practitioner with a Master’s Degree, a Doctorate Degree, a Sport Psychologist, and someone who is AASP certified?
The biggest difference between a practitioner with a Master’s degree and a Doctorate degree (Ph.D., Psy.D. or Ed.D.) is their years of education and in some cases years of experience. Most Master’s programs are two years of graduate coursework and a Master’s thesis. Doctoral programs are typically 4+ years of graduate study and many clinical or counseling programs require practical experience in an internship.
The term “Psychologist” is a title that usually designates the practitioner as licensed to practice psychology in a specific state (i.e. CA, AZ, OR, WA, etc.). A “Sport Psychologist” is usually someone licensed as a psychologist with a specialty in sport performance or performance psychology. If a practitioner is AASP certified it means that they have met basic criteria (supervised experience) and academic requirements to be certified as having some expertise in the field of sport psychology. Individuals can be AASP certified as a Master’s level “certified consultant”. A practitioner with the title of “Doctor” while licensed and AASP certified holds the highest degree and has met the criteria to be addressed as a "Sport Psychologist".
In addition, a licensed psychologist must have a Ph.D. from an accredited university, complete 3000 hours (in CA) of supervised professional experience and pass the state and national exams. As a certified consultant, a Ph.D. must complete 400 hours of supervised experience in sport and exercise psychology whereas a Masters only needs to complete 300 hours.
The term “Psychologist” is a title that usually designates the practitioner as licensed to practice psychology in a specific state (i.e. CA, AZ, OR, WA, etc.). A “Sport Psychologist” is usually someone licensed as a psychologist with a specialty in sport performance or performance psychology. If a practitioner is AASP certified it means that they have met basic criteria (supervised experience) and academic requirements to be certified as having some expertise in the field of sport psychology. Individuals can be AASP certified as a Master’s level “certified consultant”. A practitioner with the title of “Doctor” while licensed and AASP certified holds the highest degree and has met the criteria to be addressed as a "Sport Psychologist".
In addition, a licensed psychologist must have a Ph.D. from an accredited university, complete 3000 hours (in CA) of supervised professional experience and pass the state and national exams. As a certified consultant, a Ph.D. must complete 400 hours of supervised experience in sport and exercise psychology whereas a Masters only needs to complete 300 hours.
Is it important to have a degree from an accredited university?
Yes. Without having a degree in Sport Psychology from an accredited university, one will find it difficult to obtain an internship (if available), apply for certain jobs, e.g. teaching at a college or university, to be a candidate to become a Sport Psychologist at a college or university, or even to register as a Sport Psychology Consultant with the US Olympic Training Centers. One would also not be able to join professional Sport Psychology organizations (at the professional level) like APA Division 47, AASP, or become an AASP Certified Consultant.
How do I know which sport psychology consultant is right for me?
Research has shown that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the most essential components related to how effective the therapy is. It is important that you feel as though your sport psychology consultant is someone who you can open up to, be honest with, trust and can communicate with. Sometimes it can take 3-4 sessions before a person can decide if they feel comfortable with the sport psychology consultant and would like to continue working with them in the long term.
How frequently do people typically meet with a sport psychology consultant?
Typically a person meets with their sport psychology consultant once a week unless you and the sport psychology consultant decide that it would be beneficial for you to attend more or less frequently.
The number of sessions varies depending on the individual, the reason why you are seeking help from a sport psychology consultant, and the severity of your concerns. During the first session, the anticipated course of treatment and the length of time that may be needed to help you will be discussed.
The number of sessions varies depending on the individual, the reason why you are seeking help from a sport psychology consultant, and the severity of your concerns. During the first session, the anticipated course of treatment and the length of time that may be needed to help you will be discussed.
How are sessions organized and what are sessions like?
Each sport psychology consultant will have their own style and approach to how they structure sessions. However, there are common elements of a session that tend to be consistent across therapeutic styles. For example, the initial session is called an intake assessment and is designed for the sport psychology consultant to ask a series of questions aimed at creating a picture of what brought the athlete in for sport psychology counseling and identifying goals to work on. The intake assessment period generally will also include historical questions to help identify areas of a client’s life that may be useful to help the client meet his/her goals.
As part of on-going assessment, the sport psychology consultant will create a treatment plan with the client and identify techniques to help the client meet his/her goals or the parents, coaches, trainers as needed. Follow-up sessions generally are geared towards skill building, practicing techniques, and reflection/insight oriented work to help the athlete meet their goals. Sessions can take place in an office, through online video conference technology, or on-site (e.g. on the field).
As part of on-going assessment, the sport psychology consultant will create a treatment plan with the client and identify techniques to help the client meet his/her goals or the parents, coaches, trainers as needed. Follow-up sessions generally are geared towards skill building, practicing techniques, and reflection/insight oriented work to help the athlete meet their goals. Sessions can take place in an office, through online video conference technology, or on-site (e.g. on the field).
Are sport psychology sessions covered by insurance?
Typically most medical insurance will not cover or reimburse for sport psychology services unless the services are considered “medically necessary.” Performance enhancement services are seen as a personal choice and unnecessary to healthy functioning. In some cases, an athlete may suffer from an anxiety disorder that does impact their functioning at school or work and the work we do might be covered under the medical insurance plan. Most of the time, we cannot justify our sport psychology interventions as behavioral health treatment. This is something that should be discussed with the licensed practitioner from the beginning of the consultation.
What type of internships are available specifically in sport psychology?
Internships specifically in sport psychology are few and far between, unless the college or university offers sport psychology related internships. The majority of graduate students earning degrees in sport psychology have to create an internship in sport psychology to gain experience working in the field. Many graduate students will find it easier to gain training through a clinical psychology based internship: i.e. college or university counseling center, crisis centers, or even by searching and applying through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (www.appic.org).
The following is a link to a list of potential sport psychology internships provided by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology organization:
https://www.appliedsportpsych.org/files/file/ppump/AASP%20Internship%20Database.pdf
The following is a link to a list of potential sport psychology internships provided by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology organization:
https://www.appliedsportpsych.org/files/file/ppump/AASP%20Internship%20Database.pdf
What colleges and universities offer sport psychology degrees?
The best places to find information regarding what colleges and universities offer sport psychology degrees are:
Directory of Graduate Programs in Applied Sport Psychology. Sachs, M. L., Burke, K. L., & Schrader, D. C. (Eds.) (latest)
Directory of graduate programs in applied sport psychology. Morgantown, WF: Fitness Information Technology, Inc. Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology.
http://www.appliedsportpsych.org/site/assets/documents/AASPGraduateDirectoryOrderForm.pdf
Directory of Graduate Programs in Applied Sport Psychology. Sachs, M. L., Burke, K. L., & Schrader, D. C. (Eds.) (latest)
Directory of graduate programs in applied sport psychology. Morgantown, WF: Fitness Information Technology, Inc. Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology.
http://www.appliedsportpsych.org/site/assets/documents/AASPGraduateDirectoryOrderForm.pdf
Other than running your own private practice, what are some career opportunities available for graduates in the field of sport psychology?
The field of Sport and Performance Psychology is growing. Sport Psychologists can work in universities or school settings, with professional teams, with coaches, club teams, in the military, and in non-profits.
Sport Psychologists also work with clients in dealing with other areas of performance such as in the performing arts and with business leaders.
Sport Psychologists also work with clients in dealing with other areas of performance such as in the performing arts and with business leaders.
Does one have to be licensed to practice sport psychology?
No, unlike clinical psychology, the current laws do not require those practicing sport psychology to be licensed. However, it is highly recommended to become licensed as the downfall to not being licensed include:
- You cannot refer to yourself or present yourself as a “Sport Psychologist.” You can only refer to yourself as a Sport Consultant, Mental Skills Coach, Peak Performance Consultant etc. The word psychology or psychologist cannot be used.
- Lack of credibility when applying for specific jobs in sport psychology, especially at colleges, universities or professional organizations even with having a degree from an accredited university.
What if I have more questions?
The initial consultation is a great opportunity to ask any additional questions that you may have. Feel free to contact the sport psychology consultant by phone or e mail to set up a consultation.