Sport Psychology in Intercollegiate Athletics Arial S. Treankler, Psy.D. Clinical Sport Psychologist University of Georgia, CAPS
Objectives What is a Sport Psychologist? What roles can Sport Psychologists fill within Intercollegiate Athletics? How do Sport Psychologists fit into Athletic programs?
What is a Sport Psychologist? American Psychological Association Division 47: Exercise and Sport Psychology Licensed Practitioner. Proficiency in Sport Psychology a multidisciplinary field spanning psychology, sport science, and medicine. a postgraduate specialization, including specialized supervision. Training in psychological skills of athletes, well-being, issues associated with sports organizations, developmental and social aspects of sports participation. Differences between a sport psychologist and an AASP-Certified Consultant.
Psychologist License eligible / licensed in the state. Developed a postdoctorate specialization area including specialized supervision by a licensed psychologist and applied experience. Able to provide clinical and performancerelated consultation and a variety of therapies, i.e. group, individual, couples, assessment, and techniques. Note: There is overlap. Consultant Certification provided by AASP (Association for Applied Sport Psychology). Trained in sport and exercise, but may not be licensed psychologists or counselors. Receive mentorship by AASP-CC and applied experience. Specifically provide group and/or individual consultation towards performance-related issues.
What can Sport Psychologists do? Clinical: Counseling, testing, and crisis management. DECIDE WHAT YOUR PROGRAM NEEDS. Support and Consultation. Education. Miscellaneous.
Clinical Individual, group, and couples therapy. Individual and group performance enhancement sessions. Workshops. 24-hour mental health contact/crisis services. Crisis intervention. Testing and assessment services. Personality profiling, LD/ADHD, clinical concerns.
Support and Consultation Support to student-athletes, coaches, sports medicine teams, department staff, parents, etc. Performance enhancement in team settings practice, meetings, competitions. Liaison with university counseling center and other campus organizations, i.e. career center, health promotions, judicial affairs. Involvement with Student Athlete Advisory Committees. Various committee positions: Eating Disorder Treatment Teams, Conduct Committees. Retreats for student-athletes, coaches, etc.
Education Teach mental skills classes. Coach workshops regarding various performance enhancement strategies and other concerns. Workshops/classes regarding mental health concerns, prevention, and awareness, life skills development to student-athletes, coaches, athletic Department staff, etc. Development of peer counseling programs for increased awareness and appropriate intervening with mental health concerns in teammates. Research projects.
Miscellaneous Development of sport psych specific media, i.e. websites, newsletters, and other mental skills building technology. Availability to travel with teams to provide clinical, crisis, and performance enhancement support. Assist in the recruitment process and identification of successful student-athletes. Provision of supervision for students/other professionals in training to provide sport psych services. Mentoring.
Models of Sport Psychology in Intercollegiate Athletics Athletic Department Position/Clinic. Counseling Center Position. Sports Medicine Department (outside of the Athletic Department). University Psychology Department and/or Clinic. Private Practitioner(s).
Athletic Department Position The Sport Psychologist position is maintained within the Athletic Department and paid an annual salary. Advantage: The ability to define the position and sport psychologist s role to fit the unique needs of the Department. Challenge: Understanding and respecting the psychologist s limits of to confidentiality and privileged information.
Counseling Center Position The Athletic Department engages in a relationship with the Counseling Center and pays for a certain amount of clinician time to be dedicated to studentathlete concerns, i.e. 50/50, 90/10. Advantages: Counseling centers usually offer psychiatric services as well as 24- hour crisis on-call options. Challenges: Restriction of services clinicians are able to provide due to disconnection from the athletic department.
Sports Medicine Department Position (outside of the Athletic Department) Sport Psychology position is maintained by the Sports medicine Department either at the University or affiliated with the University. Advantages: established policies and procedures regarding HIPAA, confidentiality, and privileged information. Challenges: Like a College counseling center, potential restriction of services due to disconnections from athletic department.
University Psychology Department and/or Clinic Like a counseling center model, but through the Psychology department with identified faculty and trainees. Can provide both clinical and performance enhancement services as long as proficient, or supervised by someone with the proficiency. Advantage: Potentially lower cost. Challenges: Routine change of service providers, potential deterrents like taping requirements.
Private Practitioner(s) The athletic Department develops a relationship(s) with private practitioners outside of the university for clinical/performance enhancement services. Usually maintained through a fee-for-service or stipend model. Advantage: Using an outside provider may feel more comfortable for some student-athletes. Challenge: Potentially less flexibility and disconnection from the department.
Resources American Psychological Association Division 47: Exercise and Sport Psychology Website www.apadivisions.org/division47. Association for Applied Sport Psychology Website www.appliedsportpsych.org. Clinical Sport Psychology in American Intercollegiate Athletics. (2007). Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 1(3). Thank you.