Sport Psychology   

Contact Committee Chair 

The purpose of the Sport Psychology Committee is to connect sport psychologists, sport psychologists in training, and professionals with an interest in the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology.  The Committee seeks to provide members with education, ethical guidelines, case consultation, professional development, and resources related to the field of Sport Psychology.  

If you are interested in serving on this Committee, please contact our Office Manager.

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Sport Psychology Defined:
Sport Psychology is a discipline of psychology dedicated to the scientific study of people and their behavior as applied to sport. Sport psychologists are interested in two main areas: a) helping athletes and/or coaches/trainers to apply psychological principles to achieve optimal mental health (performance enhancement); and b) an understanding of how participating in sport exercise and physical activity affects an individual's psychological development, health, and well-being throughout their life span. 
 
What Do Sport Psychologists Do?
Sport psychologists teach mental skills to enhance performance while the athlete and/or coach is engaged in a sport.  In addition, we strive to help clients develop personal excellence in a variety of areas beyond their sport.
 
Areas Of Sport Psychology:
Sport psychologists work in three main areas:

• Clinical: The practice of helping athletes and/or coaches who are experiencing emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, and body image issues.
  
• Educational: The practice of helping athletes and/or coaches develop the psychological skills necessary for optimal performance. These may include goal setting, relaxation, concentration, imagery skills, etc.
  
• Research: The practice of reviewing current sport psychology research seeking new applications of evidence-based techniques to enhance the athlete’s experience and sense of control while performing

Professional Organizations That Govern Sport Psychologists:

• Division 47 of the American Psychological Association
• Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP) 
• International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP)
• British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES)