Skills + Competencies of a Sports Psychologist

Question 1

State what it is meant by the key term - sports psychologist

Answer 1

The branch of sport and exercise science that seeks to provide answers about human behaviour and mental processes in sports and exercise settings

Question 2

State the 4 levels, from the bottom up, of ‘The Remit’ of practicing sports psychologists

Answer 2

1. Contextual understanding
2. Relationships and performance
3. Mind-body relationships and performance challenges
4. PST

Question 3

On the Remit, explain: contextual understanding

Answer 3

Professional philosophy, therapeutic methods, personality in relation to sport, multi-cultural diversity, working with organisations

Question 4

On the Remit, explain: relationships and performance

Answer 4

1. Group + team dynamics, communication, leadership

Question 5

On the Remit, explain: mind-body relationships and performance challenges

Answer 5

1. Arousal, stress and anxiety, burnout, sport injury, clinical issues, career evolution

Question 6

On the Remit, explain: PST

Answer 6

Motivational theories, goal setting/imagery, attention, routines, preparation, mindfulness and acceptance

Question 7

State what it is meant by the key term - competencies

Answer 7

Capabilities consultants possess in order to be effective (Cropley eg al, 2010)

Question 8

State what it is meant by the key term - effectiveness

Answer 8

The ability to produce and accomplish intended results through practice

Question 9

State the 4 step accreditation pathway to becoming a sports psychologist

Answer 9

1. Foundation knowledge
2. Discipline specific
3. Professional accreditation
4. Registration gained

Question 10

Registration pathway to being a sports psychologist, explain: foundation knowledge (step 1)

Answer 10

1. Undergraduate study of BASES or BPS (British psychological society) recognised course
2. Conversion course required if above not held

Question 11

Registration pathway to being a sports psychologist, explain: discipline specific (step 2)

Answer 11

1. MSc in sports and exercise psychology (1-2 years)
2. BPS or BASES recognised
3. On completion: knowledge gained for appropriate use of theory + research relating to applied practice

Question 12

Registration pathway to being a sports psychologist, explain: professional accreditation (step 3)

Answer 12

1. Period of supervised experience (2-4 years)
2. Practically applying what has been learnt at previous stages
3. Three available pathways: BPS QSEP, BASES SEPAR, or DProf

Question 13

Registration pathway to being a sports psychologist, explain: registration gained (step 4)

Answer 13

1. With BPS or BASES
2. HCPC status gained
3. Use of professional titles

Question 14

What makes an effective sports psychologist practitioner key competency themes from UK regulatory bodies

Answer 14

Citizenship —> ethics and professional practice —> consultancy —> research —> communication and dissemination —> citizenship …

Question 15

State the ‘effective service delivery’ of a sports psychologist practitioner - what the research suggests (SPSD)

Answer 15

1. Professional boundaries
2. Professional philosophy
3. Making contact
4. Assessment
5. Conceptualising athletes concerns and potential interventions
6. Range, types and organisation of services
7. Programme implementation
8. Managing the self as an intervention instrument
9. Programme and consultant evaluation
10. Conclusions an implications
11. Leaving the setting

Question 16

Explain the structure of the SPSD-R graph

Answer 16

1. x axis - person focused values — immersion — goodness of fit
2. y axis - foundation of service — process and service — working alliance
3. Split into 2 sides vertically, and 5 boxes horizontally (10 boxes in total)

Question 17

State what it is the 5 boxes on the left side (from bottom to top) of the SPSD-R graph

Answer 17

1. Bottom = empty
2. Next = entry and conceptualisation
3. Next = implementation
4. Next = conclusion and termination
5. Top = empty

Question 18

State what it is the first box on the right side of the SPSD-R graph

Answer 18

Professional philosophy
Professional ethics
Education, training + professional experience

Question 19

State what it is the second box on the right side of the SPSD-R graph

Answer 19

Conceptualising (concerns and interventions)
Assessment
Making contact

Question 20

State what it is the third box on the right side of the SPSD-R graph

Answer 20

Managing the self as a intervention instrument
Program implementation
Range, types and organisation of service

Question 21

State what it is the fourth box on the right side of the SPSD-R graph

Answer 21

Leaving the setting
Conclusions and implications
Program and consultant evaluation

Question 22

State what it is the fifth, and final, box on the right side of the SPSD-R graph

Answer 22

Client variables
Consultant variables
Consultant-client relationship