How Sport Psychologists Use Reflective Practice: Evidence-Based Methods
- Dr Paul McCarthy
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Sport psychologists have embraced reflective practice as a crucial tool in the last 15 years sport psychology. The field now faces more pressure to assess and improve service delivery methods as it enters an "age of accountability". Practitioners who want to boost their work with athletes and teams find reflection valuable for their professional growth.
Reflective practice serves a clear purpose. It works as "an improvement tool to produce a change in practice". Sport psychologists can connect theory to ground application through well-laid-out reflective practice models. On top of that, it helps coaches and practitioners gain better self-awareness and understand their techniques better. Case studies reveal how reflective practice can target and boost self-efficacy in elite athletes.
In this piece, we'll look at evidence-based methods sport psychologists use to reflect. You'll learn about ways to utilize knowledge-in-action (often called tacit knowledge) during reflective activities. We'll get into proven approaches that help practitioners develop their own theories while handling the complex work of sports environments.
Defining Reflective Practice in Sport Psychology
Sport psychologists aim to understand their professional practice by studying their experiences systematically. A structured approach to extract meaningful lessons from professional encounters works better than casual thinking.
Definition of Reflective Practice in Applied Settings
Reflective practice in sport psychology represents "a purposeful and complex process that facilitates the examination of experience by questioning the whole self and our agency within the context of practice" [1]. This careful approach turns experiences into valuable learning. Practitioners can access and develop their knowledge-in-action to make their practice better. Knowles and team describe it as a complex process that turns experience into learning [1]. A systematic review of 73 studies revealed nine higher-order themes. These themes guide practitioners' reflective practice and include process and purpose, ethical practice, and supporting person and performer [2].
Knowledge-in-Action vs. Technical Knowledge
Knowledge-in-action is the life-blood of reflective practice in sport psychology. It is different from technical knowledge gained through formal education because it develops through hands-on experience [1]. This tacit knowledge comes naturally, remains unspoken, and shows up when needed [3]. It covers social norms, values, prejudices, experiences, and various forms of knowledge that practitioners use spontaneously [4].
Technical knowledge consists of theoretical frameworks and research-based approaches taught in schools. Combining both types of knowledge helps sport psychologists direct the "messier" realities of practice that textbooks can't fully explain [3]. Knowledge-in-action might be the most vital form of knowledge because it helps practitioners handle their work's changing nature [1].
Purpose of Reflection for Practitioners
Reflection aims to improve professional practice through continuous learning and self-awareness. A practitioner said, "You have to recognize that reflection helps you to know the gray parts better so you can practice more successfully" [5]. Reflection also connects theory with practice. This connection lets practitioners develop their own theories they can use [1].
Reflection does more than improve practice. It builds self-awareness, supports self-management, and stimulates personal and professional growth [4]. The process enables practitioners to review their decisions, build deeper understanding, and make needed changes [6].
Benefits of Reflective Practice for Sport Psychologists
Reflective practice offers more than just professional growth for sport psychologists. Studies show that systematic reflection brings real benefits that boost how well practitioners work and what their clients achieve.
Improved Self-Awareness and Decision-Making
Regular reflection boosts practitioners' self-awareness by a lot. They learn more about their methods and techniques. Better awareness leads to smarter choices throughout their work [7]. Sport psychologists who take time to reflect learn about their blind spots and hidden talents that might stay hidden otherwise [8]. These professionals trust their decisions more when they understand themselves better. They make choices based on solid evidence rather than just gut feelings [9].
Managing Emotional Demands of Practice
Reflective practice is a vital tool for sport psychologists to handle emotional challenges in their work. They can talk through tough consultations and sort out inner conflicts through reflection [1]. The approach helps them keep emotions in check during high-pressure moments. This skill proves essential in the charged atmosphere of competitive sports [10]. One sport psychologist mentioned in a study that reflection helps them get ready for and deal with stress during sessions [11].
Linking Theory to Ground Application
Reflection bridges the gap between book knowledge and hands-on practice. Sport psychologists develop practical knowledge as they think over their experiences. This helps them size up situations better and shape future actions [1]. So they can build their own practical theories based on real experiences instead of just following textbook methods [6].
Boosting Ethical and Value-Based Practice
Reflection gives sport psychologists the ability to check if stakeholder actions line up with their professional beliefs [12]. They think over the ethical dimensions of their work, especially when they juggle multiple professional relationships [12]. This helps them stay true to their principles despite pressure from coaches, athletes, and organizations. Reflective practice becomes key to navigating the complex relationships in applied sport psychology.
Structured Reflective Practice Models in Use
Sport psychologists use several structured models that help them reflect meaningfully on their work. These models give them systematic ways to learn from their experiences and gain valuable insights.
Gibbs Reflective Cycle in Performance Review
Gibbs' (1988) six-stage reflective cycle stands as one of the most used models in applied sport psychology today. The framework takes practitioners through six phases: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action planning. Sport psychologists often use this cycle to review their sessions with athletes and check how well their interventions worked. Studies show that Gibbs' model helps practitioners build their reflective skills during supervised training [13]. The model's power comes from its way of turning single experiences into learning opportunities through structured questions.
Johns' Model of Structured Reflection in Supervision
Johns' model presents a complete framework with 21 questions that spark detailed reflection. The model started in nursing but sport psychologists now use it extensively. It creates structured conversations between practitioners and their supervisors [14]. The framework includes five main phases: describing experiences, reflecting on actions, looking at influencing factors, finding ways to improve, and drawing out learning outcomes. This model works best in supervision relationships where it creates what practitioners call "layered reflection" through individual, shared, and community-based reflection [13].
Use of Reflective Diaries and Logs
Reflective diaries help practitioners document their professional experiences regularly. Sport psychologists keep these logs to track their thoughts, feelings, and decisions during and after consultations [1]. This practice makes "reflection-in-action" possible, letting practitioners capture insights live instead of just looking back later. Research with marathon runners and swimmers shows that training logs with reflective elements improved their attendance, timeliness, self-monitoring, and confidence in self-regulation by a lot [15].
Critical Reflection and Emancipatory Thinking
Critical reflection takes reflective practice to a deeper level beyond technical aspects. Practitioners learn to question current practices and look at broader social, political, and economic factors that affect their work [1]. Emancipatory thinking pushes practitioners past just describing experiences. They must evaluate basic assumptions and power structures critically. Research suggests practitioners need specific cognitive skills like problem-solving and questioning to reflect critically. They also need traits like open-mindedness and whole-heartedness that require careful development [16].
Practical Applications in Sport Psychology Contexts
Reflective practice in real-life sport psychology takes many forms that benefit both practitioners and athletes.
Reflection-in-Action During Live Consultations
Sport psychologists use diary entries to help with "reflection-in-action" and capture their thoughts, feelings, and decisions during consultations [1]. They document insights immediately instead of relying only on looking back later. The practitioners can reflect during events and between sessions, which creates a continuous learning process for future interactions.
Staged and Layered Reflection in Team Settings
Staged reflection pushes practitioners to reflect right after service delivery and again after some time has passed [1]. Teams benefit more from this two-phase approach. Layered reflection happens when people share their reflective thoughts with others [1]. This shared approach becomes essential for supervision relationships to work well [1].
Peer Dialog and Shared Reflection Techniques
Reflective conversations help professionals develop their skills [3]. These discussions should include "undertaking an inquiry into practice through verbally sharing, discussing, questioning and reasoning about experiences" [3]. The dialogs create chances to generate strategies, experiment, and evaluate results [3].
Case Example: Reflective Practice in Athlete Goal Setting
Sport psychologists apply reflection at multiple stages of goal setting [4]. Assessment through reflection reveals the client's strengths and weaknesses early on [4]. Regular reflective check-ins help track progress and adjust goals when needed [4]. Athletes reinforce their success through post-achievement reflection and set new goals [17].
Conclusion
Reflective practice is the life-blood of modern sport psychologists who want to boost their professional effectiveness. This piece explores how well-laid-out reflection turns experiences into great learning opportunities. Sport psychologists can access and develop their knowledge-in-action through this systematic approach that bridges theoretical understanding with practical use.
Regular reflection offers multiple benefits to practitioners. Better self-awareness helps them make smarter decisions during athlete consultations. The process also helps manage emotional challenges that come with sport psychology practice. Reflection enables practitioners to build customized theories based on ground experiences instead of just textbook approaches.
Several proven reflective models are now available to sport psychologists. Gibbs' Reflective Cycle provides a six-stage framework that guides practitioners to examine their experiences. Johns' Model uses specific questions to prompt detailed reflection. Many practitioners keep reflective diaries to record insights during and between athlete consultations.
Sport psychologists of all types can apply reflective practice in their work. They document their thoughts and decisions during live consultations through reflection-in-action. They analyze their work right after sessions and again later. Peer discussions create chances to generate and evaluate strategies through shared points of view.
Reflective practice has grown alongside sport psychology's focus on accountability and evidence-based approaches. The field keeps changing, and reflection will stay vital for practitioners who want professional growth and ethical practice. Sport psychologists who excel at these reflective techniques can support athletes better while shaping their professional identity and skills.
Key Takeaways
Sport psychologists are increasingly using structured reflective practice to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application, transforming experiences into systematic learning opportunities that enhance professional effectiveness.
• Reflective practice improves decision-making and self-awareness by helping practitioners examine their experiences systematically rather than relying on casual contemplation.
• Structured models like Gibbs' Reflective Cycle and Johns' framework provide systematic approaches with specific stages and questions to guide meaningful professional reflection.
• Knowledge-in-action differs from textbook learning - it's the intuitive, tacit knowledge practitioners develop through real experience that helps navigate complex situations.
• Reflection manages emotional demands effectively by providing mechanisms to process difficult consultations and regulate emotions in high-pressure sport environments.
• Real-time reflection during consultations allows practitioners to capture insights immediately through reflective diaries and "reflection-in-action" techniques.
These evidence-based reflective methods enable sport psychologists to develop personalized theories of practice, maintain ethical standards, and continuously improve their effectiveness with athletes and teams.
References
[1] - https://members.believeperform.com/how-can-reflective-practice-be-used-within-sport/[2] - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1750984X.2021.1975304[3] - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14623943.2024.2314013[4] - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10413200.2024.2331205[5] - https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/files/8208271/Exploring_the_relationship_between_effective_and_reflective_practice.pdf[6] - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234166673_Reflective_practice_A_review_of_concepts_models_and_practical_implications_for_enhancing_the_practice_of_applied_sport_psychologists[7] - https://www.ryanpelling.com/blog/the-power-of-self-reflection-in-sports-psychology[8] - https://jennifercumming.com/2015/04/10/a-sport-psychologists-guide-for-helping-athletes-develop-better-self-awareness/[9] - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14623943.2024.2320142[10] - https://www.innerdrive.co.uk/blog/tips-to-help-control-emotions/[11] - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303469953_Coping_with_the_Demands_of_Professional_Practice_Sport_Psychology_Consultants'_Perspectives[12] - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10413200.2021.1914772[13] - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234166645_Reflections_on_the_Application_of_Reflective_Practice_for_Supervision_in_Applied_Sport_Psychology[14] - https://www.toolshero.com/personal-development/johns-model-of-reflection/[15] - https://members.believeperform.com/journaling-the-journey-keeping-a-training-log/[16] - https://www.cases.org.uk/imgs/8009_bas_tses___magazine_summer_2019_online_version_pg6_7383.pdf[17] - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10413200.2023.2185699
