Termination and referral

Question 1

What are the two main employment paths for UK sport psychology practitioners?

Answer 1

Private practice or employment by national governing bodies, sports teams, or publicly funded bodies (e.g., English Institute of Sport).

Question 2

What are the three common conditions of appointment for sport psychology practitioners?

Answer 2

Fully embedded in high-performance teams, part-time/ad hoc contributions, or working with individual athletes in isolation.

Question 3

What is referral in sport psychology?

Answer 3

The process of directing an individual to an appropriate specialist or agency for definitive treatment.

Question 4

What are the key indicators that referral might be necessary?

Answer 4

Serious risks to health or safety, lack of expertise or resources, client non-response, or beyond the scope of practice.

Question 5

What are barriers to referral in sports?

Answer 5

Stigma, mistrust of practitioners, fear of losing high-performance traits, confidentiality concerns, and unrealistic expectations of new practitioners.

Question 6

What are guiding questions for deciding whether to refer?

Answer 6

How long has the issue existed? What is its severity? What role does it play in the athlete’s life? Are unusual emotions or behaviors displayed? Are coping strategies sufficient?

Question 7

How can practitioners reduce barriers to referral?

Answer 7

Set expectations early, explain the referral process, address misconceptions, and maintain ongoing support during rehabilitation.

Question 8

What makes a successful referral?

Answer 8

Knowledge of local services, effective communication, addressing patient perceptions, and appropriate follow-up.

Question 9

What is “referring in”?

Answer 9

Bringing a qualified professional into discussions with the practitioner and athlete to collaboratively plan support.

Question 10

What are the benefits of “referring in”?

Answer 10

Less threatening for the athlete, easing the transition, and fostering trust between all parties.

Question 11

What are the options for accessing a clinical psychologist in the UK?

Answer 11

Via NHS (free but requires GP referral) or private practice (costly but faster).

Question 12

What are challenges associated with referrals to clinical psychologists?

Answer 12

Lack of sports-specific knowledge and long wait times for appointments (up to 12 weeks via NHS).

Question 13

Why might an athlete resist referral to a clinical psychologist?

Answer 13

Fear of being misunderstood by specialists unfamiliar with sports or concerns about confidentiality.

Question 14

How should practitioners document referrals?

Answer 14

Record reasons, interactions, athlete responses, and outcomes in case notes for accountability.

Question 15

What are potential concerns athletes may have about referrals?

Answer 15

Fear of losing performance traits, stigma, and anxiety about confidentiality or the new practitioner.

Question 16

How can referral anxieties be addressed?

Answer 16

Explain the referral’s purpose, who will help, expected benefits, and timeline while maintaining support.

Question 17

What should practitioners consider about support provider characteristics?

Answer 17

Listening skills, ability to identify personal differences, and awareness of the athlete’s unique context.

Question 18

What psychological skills training methods are common in service delivery models?

Answer 18

Imagery, goal setting, thought stopping, self-talk, and relaxation techniques.

Question 19

What are the benefits of maintaining a robust referral network?

Answer 19

Provides access to trusted professionals and ensures athletes receive specialized care when needed.