What is Sports Psychology?
Sports psychology is an interdisciplinary practice that explores the link between the psychological and physical factors affecting performance in competitive sports and athletic activity. This specialty incorporates the science of physiology, kinesiology, and biomechanics to assist sports psychologists in treating a range of mental health issues athletes and sports industry professionals often experience.
Sports psychologists may favor one proficiency over another, as the field requires a distinctive combination of training in both medicine and psychology. With their in-depth knowledge of physiology and kinesiology, as well as their psychology training, some sports psychologists may focus on rehabilitation and reintegration of athletes after an injury. Others may focus on mental health issues surrounding coach-player communication conflicts or improving team dynamics.
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What Does a Sports Psychologist Do?
Sports psychologists can work in a wide variety of settings. They may practice in hospitals, clinics, gyms, physical rehabilitation centers, or schools. Some may work in private practice or provide contracted consulting services to clients in other settings. Professionals in the consulting arena often work as part of a team of specialists, assembled from a variety of disciplines to maximize health and wellness among athletes, coaches, teams, parents of athletes, and fitness professionals.
Whatever the nature of their practice, sports psychologists should possess the following skills and competencies:
Skills and Competencies
Objectivity and Sound Judgement
Critical Thinking
Interpersonal Skills and Confidentiality
Thorough Knowledge of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine
Understanding of Common Sports-Related Injuries and Treatments
Understanding of Application of Stress Management and Mental Conditioning Techniques
Data Analysis
Research and Assessment
Depending on practical application of skills and various licensing organizations, sports psychology sometimes exists as a specialty of either applied or clinical psychology. Applied sports psychologists typically advise teams, coaches, trainers, and managers in methods of stress-management, relaxation, and visualization to optimize game performance. Clinical application of these skills typically involves counseling athletes in personal crisis or addressing performance issues, anxiety, or mental or physical injury rehabilitation.
See below for four specializations within sports psychology careers.
Areas of Expertise in the Sports Psychology Field
Sports Psychology By the Numbers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for psychologists, including sports psychologists, to grow 14% between 2018 and 2028, which outpaces the combined average for all occupations. In 2018, psychologists made a median annual salary of $79,010. Leading industries for sports psychologists include high schools and colleges, professional sports teams and organizations, hospitals, physical rehabilitation facilities, and private practices.
States with the most clinical psychologists include California, New York, and Texas. The top-paying states for clinical psychologists include California, Oregon, and New Jersey. All other psychologists, such as applied sports psychologists, find the highest employment levels in California, Florida, and Massachusetts. California tops the list of highest-paying states for all other psychologists, followed by Maryland and Kansas.
How Do I Become a Sports Psychologist?
Sports psychologists need a unique combination of medical and psychological competencies, though individual qualifications and licensure requirements vary by state. Few schools in the U.S. offer undergraduate or graduate programs specifically in sports psychology. Students looking to major in this field may double-major in psychology and exercise science or pursue a degree in clinical psychology with a sports psychology concentration.
Learners can then obtain a Ph.D. in this specialty. Most employers require at least a master’s degree to enter the sports psychology field. Consider gaining professional experience via an internship or postdoctoral fellowship while pursuing your degree.
For an outline of how to become a sports psychologist, read below. You can choose the stage that best applies to you.
Licensure for Sports Psychologists
State psychology boards confer licenses for psychologists with licensing requirements varying by state. Typically, licensure candidates need a doctoral degree and a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. Candidates must also log 1,500-6,000 clinical hours. You can research licensure requirements with your state board.
The American Board of Sport Psychology (ABSP) offers national certification in sport psychology. Prerequisites include a doctorate from a regionally accredited school, a state psychology license, and completion of ABSP’s training program.
The Association for Applied Sport Psychology also offers certification. Application requirements include completion of a certification exam, evidence of a master’s or doctoral sport psychologist degree, a signed mentor or employer verification form, a signed ethical code statement, a CV, and three references.
Psychology Internship Opportunities
An integral component of sports psychologist education requirements, internships and practicum experiences provide an inside look at what sports psychologists do, along with job training and professional references. Students find internships and practicum opportunities at their schools’ career centers, job fairs, and recruiting events, and through alumni networks and employment boards.
Practicums typically involve observation of sports psychologists working with clients, while internships offer hands-on experience counseling clients under direct and indirect supervision. For example, interns may meet with clients independently, but report back to their supervisors about the treatment they recommended and to ask questions. Practicum participants discuss with their supervisors what they observed while sitting in on counseling sessions and, over time, may complete assigned tasks.
Internships often last 6-24 months, while practicum timeframes vary. Students earn credit toward their sports psychology degrees in practicums. Interns still pursuing their degrees also earn academic credit, but postdoctoral interns generally do not. Student interns may also earn pay.
Aspiring sports psychologists can browse internships and practicum opportunities through specific organizations. In addition, the ABSP offers summer internships and fellowships in applied evidence-based sports psychology.
