How to become a Sports Psychologist

What is a Sport Psychologist?

Sport psychology involves studying psychological factors associated with participation and performance in sport, exercise and other types of physical activity.

A Sport psychologist generally has 2 main responsibilities:

-Helping athletes use psychology as a means of achieving optimal mental health and to improve performance in sport.

-Understanding how participation in sport and physical activity affects an individual psychologically as well as their health and well-being.

What will you be doing?

-Goal setting

-Helping athletes with nerves

-Increasing confidence

-Anger management

-Helping athletes with how to cope with injuries

-Keeping athletes motivated

What Qualifications are required in this job?

A British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree in psychology leading to the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

Work experience in the field that you wish to work in.

ABPS accredited master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology (Desired).

Salary

Starting salary is usually around £20,000 plus.

With experience a Sport Psychologists wage could rise between £25,000- £40,000.

What are the Career Pathways for a Sport Psychologist?

You can work your way up from a local team to the very top in Sport. You even may have the opportunity to set up your own private practice.

What are the benefits for a Sport Psychologist?

You're not working from a deficit; you're working on how these clients can use everything they to help them in the sport. There's also less burnout in the job when you work with a variety of clients, you rarely get bored as every client is different and has different needs that need to be assisted.

What are the Drawbacks?

You may come across clients who don’t believe in Sport Psychology and therefore don’t want to be there, and are demotivated. You may have to travel with team’s etc. so you may not be based in one specific area and the working hours may vary.

More information:

For more information, advice and guidance about careers in PE, Sport, Training and Fitness and Activity Holiday Jobs, visit our careers advice centre; including job hunting tips, CV guide and much more.