Traits Or Qualities Of A Sports Psychologist

Frustrated sports fans spend weekends asking the players on their television screens what they're thinking, but a sports psychologist aims to find out. People in this profession help athletes deal with the stresses associated with playing sports and develop the mental skills they need to be better athletes. To become a licensed sports psychologist, you'll need a postgraduate degree, but to be successful in the field you'll need to possess a number of important qualities.

Interest in Sports

You certainly don't need to be an athlete worthy of the Hall of Fame-level yourself to be a sports psychologist, but you'll likely find it's easier to understand the needs of athletes, and gain their trust, if you have some interest and enthusiasm about sports. Some experience participating in sports will also help you understand what runs through a player's head during competitions. It's wise to follow sports news so you'll have an understanding of the challenges and uncertainties facing athletes; for instance, if you work with football players, you should be familiar with what's happening with NFL contract negotiations.

Flexibility

Because an athlete's physical condition, state of mind and performance can vary from game to game, a sports psychologist must be flexible and able to change gears quickly. In one session, the athlete might need help with the pressures of being a team captain, and in the next, he might be struggling with being benched after an injury. Some sports psychologists will need flexibility in their schedules and work spaces as well. You might need to visit the athlete at a weekend practice, or if you're working for a particular team, may need to occasionally travel with players.

Self-Awareness

Being aware of your own biases is crucial for any psychologist, according to State University of New York New Paltz associate professor of psychology Douglas C. Maynard. You must take pains to not jump to conclusions about your patients so you can stay open to helping them get to the roots of their issues. For instance, if you assume an injured athlete is having a hard time getting back into her sport because of physical issues, you might overlook the fact that she's fearful about playing again. Being self-aware also requires you to examine your own power in the athlete's life and recognize that you can't use your role to push her into any decisions or actions.

Respectfulness

After gaining years of education and experience, it's possible that a sports psychologist might assume she knows more about an athlete's mind than he does. You must be respectful of the fact that each person you work with knows himself better than you do and must be compassionate enough to be respectful of each person's limits. You might work with huge, aggressive football players, emotional young figure skaters and arrogant tennis stars, but you must show each the same tolerance and respect. Eventually you'll likely learn why each athlete has built the defenses he has.

Education

In addition to having certain personal traits, you'll need a great deal of training to become a sports psychologist. To become any type of psychologist, you must obtain a doctorate in psychology, do an internship and get two years of experience working in the field. Some schools offer doctorate programs specializing in sports psychology, but you might also get into the field by doing a general psychology program, focusing on sports-related research topics and working with athletes during your internship period. Finally, you're need to take and pass a clinical psychology state licensing exam in the state in which you wish to practice.