Choosing a sport psychologist?

What does a sport psychologist do?

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​A sport psychologist works with athletes, teams and coaches to improve performance and enjoy what they do. To improve performance, a sport psychologist will help an athlete, team or coach to think better, feel better and do better. A sport psychologist works with their clients to judge what is best. Sometimes an athlete might wish to figure out what’s going on in her mind; another athlete might wonder why he can stay motivated; a coach might wish to speak more confidently with his athletes. Sports psychology focuses on psychological skills and other training and development skills to improve performance.

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How long does the work take?

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​Many issues depend on the circumstances of the client. But most issues fall within six to twelve sessions. For example, some athletes might struggle with low self-confidence. By working with a sport psychologist and working on the tasks set between sessions, an athlete can raise his self-confidence. Once the sessions have ended, the athlete will continue to work on his mental fitness without needing the sport psychologist. Some athletes, coaches and teams wish for the sport psychologist to work with them across one season or many seasons.

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Why should you choose to work with a sport psychologist?

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​You should choose to see a sport psychologist if you are not performing to your potential or if you are not enjoying your sport. Thinking of a sport psychologist as a personal coach to improve your success in psychological training is helpful and worthwhile

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Why do some athletes, coaches and teams not seek the help of a sport psychologist?

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​There are several reasons; however, the most common reasons are not understanding how a sport psychologist might help them, the cost of the sessions, the fear and stigma working with a psychologist and the worry that others might feel they are mentally unfit.

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What should you do?

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​The choice is, and always will be, yours. Choosing to help yourself improve and enjoy sport is a worthwhile investment in you. You will learn many things about yourself that will help you in other areas of your life. A sport psychologist is like a personal coach to help with mental training and mental fitness by building knowledge and skills from sport psychology.

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How much does a sport psychologist cost?

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The fees for a chartered sport psychologist vary depending on location, travel and status. Charges vary from £80 to £300 per consulting hour. Sports psychology is a growing profession and the services of a sport psychologist are in demand.   

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A simple tale about sport psychology

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​Most athletes and coaches seek the support of a sport psychologist because they have become stuck. They have lost form, confidence or motivation and seek refuge among those who might understand their circumstance. Many athletes and coaches seek this understanding from a sport psychologist. The sport psychologist’s role, so, will be to help them to get back whence they came. A simple analogy to illustrate the role of a sport psychologist follows: Imagine you are driving a car along the road and something untoward happens which persuades you to pull over. Frightened or worried and you wish for someone else to drive. You meet someone on the roadside you believe can help you. Rather than returning to the driver’s seat, you ask this person to drive for you. This person you meet is a good psychologist. The good psychologist listens to your story and understands your anguish and fear. In your hour of need, you hope the good psychologist will drive your car while you sit in the passenger seat safe from the scare you experienced a few moments earlier. The good psychologist recognises only you can help yourself. The good psychologist knows you need to sit in the driver’s seat and rely upon yourself once again. The good psychologist knows the best place to sit is in the passenger seat while you work through your fear and regain your confidence driving once again. The good psychologist can leave your car while you continue on your journey having realised what you were looking for all along you already had.

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