Frequently asked questions

Sport psychology is a specialist area of psychological practice concerned with mental aspects of sporting performance.

What is a sport psychologist?

Sport psychologists are qualified, registered psychologists who have particular expertise in working with individual athletes and sporting teams.

Sport psychologists are registered psychologists who have undertaken additional specialised training, beyond that required for registration as a psychologist. In Australia, those who complete this training are eligible for full membership of the Australian Psychological Society's (APS) College of Sport Psychologists.

What do sport psychologists do?

Sport psychologists work with individuals and teams to improve sporting performance, deal with problems (on or off the sporting field), and work effectively with coaches and teammates. Their goal is to assist athletes and teams to attain excellence in sporting performance.

In their work, sport psychologists use a variety of approaches and techniques, depending on the individual needs of the athlete or team. This may include assisting athletes to develop or improve specific mental skills, such as maintaining focus, setting goals, or dealing with unhelpful thoughts or feelings. They can also help athletes with a range of personal matters, such as family and relationship problems, anxiety, depression, anger, and eating disorders.

Who uses a sport psychologist?

Sport psychologists work with people at all levels of sport, including recreational and professional athletes, coaches, trainers, and other sport professionals.

Some reasons that athletes contact sport psychologists include:

• to improve sporting performance
• to deal with the challenge of high-pressure competitive sport
• to get out of a slump
• to train better
• to cope with injuries
• to develop leadership skills
• to manage personal difficulties

What fees do sport psychologists charge?

Sport psychologists do not all have the same fee structure. People seeking to consult a sport psychologist should obtain a statement of fees at the time of making the first appointment.