30The clear reporting of the counseling approach (and theoretical underpinning) applied by sport 31 psychologists is often missing, with a tendency to focus on intervention content rather than 32 therapeutic processes and relationship building. Well defined psychotherapies such as Motivational 33Interviewing (MI) can help fill this void and provide an underpinning counseling approach (in an 34 athlete-centred manner) as a framework for delivering interventions such as psychological skills 35 training (PST). This article describes the role of MI as a framework upon which PST sport psychology 36 interventions can be mapped and delivered. The paper presents an athlete case study to explain the 37 role of MI at each phase of the interaction. Robust, well-defined applications of MI in sport require 38 further research although evidence from other psychological domains suggests that it can be 39 successfully blended into sporting contexts. 40
Practitioners in sport and exercise psychology tasked with service provision in any environment can decide which framework(s) they draw on to inform their applied work. However, the similarities and differences between psychotherapeutic approaches are underrepresented in current literature. Therefore, this paper brings together practitioners from 4 dominant psychotherapeutic approaches to address a specific hypothetical case. Four different cognitive-behavioral approaches are outlined: rational emotive behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, schema therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Each practitioner outlines the particular approach and proceeds to address the case by covering assessment, intervention, and evaluation strategies that are specific to it. Similarities and differences across the approaches are discussed, and implications for practice are put forth. Finally, two other practitioners introduce motivational interviewing as an additional framework to foster the working alliance.
The purpose of this study was to explore how sport and exercise psychologists working in sport understand and use motivational interviewing (MI). Eleven practitioners participated in semistructured interviews, and inductive thematic analysis identified themes linked to explicit use of MI, such as building engagement and exploring ambivalence to change; the value of MI, such as enhancing the relationship, rolling with resistance and integrating with other approaches; and barriers to the implementation of MI in sport psychology, such as a limited evidence-base in sport. Findings also indicated considerable implicit use of MI by participants, including taking an athlete-centered approach, supporting athlete autonomy, reflective listening, demonstrating accurate empathy, and taking a nonprescriptive, guiding role. This counseling style appears to have several tenets to enhance current practice in sport psychology, not least the enhancement of therapeutic alliance.
The present case study presents the first idiographic application of a one to one Rational 3 Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT; Ellis, 1957) intervention integrated with Motivational 4 Interviewing (MI; Miller & Rollnick, 2013) with a client (elite athlete) on irrational beliefs, 5 self-determined motivation, and sporting performance. Building and maintaining a strong 6 working alliance with a client is considered central to both MI and REBT, and psychological 7 interventions generally. Whilst there are widespread recognition and recommendations of the 8 importance of working alliance, the guidance on how to explicitly cultivate this beyond broad 9 descriptions is relatively scant. Using the present case of 'Theo', MI was used as an 10identifiable and measurable framework to foster a strong working alliance between the 11 practitioner and client, to increase Theo's readiness and enhance the effects of the REBT 12 intervention. After receiving eight one-to-one REBT sessions, data indicated acute and 13 maintained reductions in Theo's endorsement of irrational beliefs, increases in selfdetermined motivation, and marked increases in sporting performance. In addition, measures of treatment fidelity showed the effective and maintained inclusion of core MI principles through the REBT intervention. Ultimately, the case supports the effective application of REBT in addition to MI, whilst providing guidelines by which practitioners can actively facilitate a working alliance when applying REBT. Further, the case contributes to the emerging literature that links reductions in irrational beliefs with enhanced self-determined motivation and its potential value on wellbeing and/or performance.
This study explored the use of motivational interviewing (MI) in sport contexts by experts in that approach. Specifically, the purpose was to understand which aspects of the MI approach are deemed valuable for working in sport and to begin to understand how these aspects are best applied. Nine practitioners participated in semistructured interviews, and thematic analysis identified themes related to core and subcomponents of MI (e.g., relational spirit, technical microskills, applied tools, and the MI communication styles continuum). Additional themes relate to integrating MI with other interventions, the challenges of working with athletes (e.g., mandated attendance, ambivalence about change), and unique aspects of working in sport contexts (e.g., frequency, duration, and location of contact points). The participants also outlined essential ingredients for an MI training curriculum for practitioners in sport. This counseling approach appears to have valuable relational and technical components to facilitate the building of the therapeutic alliance, enhance athlete readiness for change, and support delivery of action-oriented interventions in applied sport psychology.
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