Applied Sport Psychology: A Profession?

Abstract

Although the field of applied sport psychology has developed, it faces further challenges on its way toward gaining greater professional status. The following principal criteria of professionalism are proposed as a test of such status: (a) provides an important public service, (b) has a knowledge-base underpinning, (c) has organizational regulation, (d) has a distinct ethical dimension, and (e) has professional autonomy. This article undertakes to explore the nature of implications for practice and the extent to which the suggested principal criteria justify a distinctive applied sport psychology profession. In doing so, we hope to stimulate debate on these and other issues in order that an even greater professionalization of our applied discipline may emerge.

Psychology and Psychologists in Search of an Identity: What and Who are we, and Why Does It Matter?

“…Indeed, numerous scholars have commented on development and training, professional services, competence, and the professionalization of sport psychologists (SPs 1 ; e.g., Fletcher & Maher, 2014;Fletcher & Wagstaff, 2009;Danish & Hale, 1981;Martin, in press;McDougall et al, 2015;Portenga et al, 2017;Sly et al, 2019;Tod et al, 2017;Wagstaff, 2019;Winter & Collins, 2016;Wylleman et al, 2009). While this domain of psychological practice is a relatively new field among the helping professions, Sport Psychology has been "emerging" for the last 50 years (see Gilmore et al, 2018).…”

Psychological models in sport psychology: A preliminary investigation

“…Despite receiving criticism from purists representing one psychological model, the counselling and psychotherapy literature has suggested that eclecticism is another legitimate approach for the various practicing psychological domains (Norcross, 1986). This flexible approach has been effectively adopted to address the diverse psychological aspects of athletic PSYCHOLOGICAL MODELS 15 performance, the various client needs (i.e., one approach being more suitable for one client than another), and the multitude of diverse contexts that sport psychologists work in (e.g., Cropley, Miles, Hanton, & Niven, 2007;Sharp, Hodge, & Danish, 2014;Symes, 2014;Winter & Collins, 2016).…”

Gatekeepers’ Experiences of Hiring a Sport Psychologist: A Phenomenological Study

“…Professional competencies is an issue that sport psychology is still facing as a relatively new, developing profession, with training documentation often providing insufficient preparation for trainees (Fletcher & Maher, 2013;Portenga, Aoyagi, & Cohen, 2017). Developing these competencies to produce an adequate pool of appropriately trained professionals is required for the health and development of the profession (Portenga et al, 2017;Winter & Collins, 2016). Hence, these findings should act as valuable considerations for both the trainee SPC and the governing bodies that are responsible for educating and regulating the profession.…”