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Search a global directory of sport psychologist (and other sport and exercise professionals). Sport psychologists can get listed for fee.

I received my copy of The Sport and Exercise Scientist in the post today, and gave the cover the usual cursory glance. My scan picked up an interesting question: "Is studying anxiety interpretations useful for sport and exercise psychologists?". So I thumbed through and found a rather interesting debate between two sport psychologists, staged by email and reprinted for the benefit of others. The debate gave me heart and caused me frustration, because while it opened up an important avenue for research and practice, they both missed the fact that a theory has been in place for over 25 years that adequately addresses all of the issues raised. That theory is Reversal Theory (Apter).

Here are a couple of articles from the APS website, with the new changes having implications for sport psychologists practicing in Australia.

Some great nuggets shared by an established sport psychologist, for those who are embarking on their career.

Have you noticed that the role of sport psychologist is a little more complex than simply teaching mental skills? Or that the relationship you build with athletes and coaches is critical? And have you found that your work also features complicated,or even uncomfortable emotions - both yours and your clients? This highly experiential workshop will help you create and maintain more effective and influential working relationships.

ndividuals' motivations can directly influence their performance; this is especially true in the sporting world. Reversal Theory's "Eight Motivational States" provide the foundation for the AMSP, which; "provides a great way to help athletes and coaches understand themselves and use that knowledge to achieve their best performance under pressure." - Phil Moore, Sports Psychologist.

Many people have attempted to transition between both sport and business. There are examples of successful sports performers going on to have successful careers as entrepreneurs, but what about going from sport psychology (or science) to business? I get asked about this all the time, as I work in business (but am qualified in sport psych) and in future will direct people to this article!

Oh dear, oh dear, another ghastly portrayal of sport psychology in the media!!! In today's Times, a double page spread about British tennis hopeful, Anne Keothavong relates her experience with an American sport psychologist, who told her to talk to a tree.

Throughout my career I have been determined to present sport psychology in a palatable and digestable format. Often some of the concepts and methodologies presented by the psychologist can be a little "clunky" to say the least.This led me to develop the Mindsport card series.

Anyone working in sports therapy will be well aware of how common it is for athletes to injure themselves. Sports therapists also understand that the severity of physical injury is not the only factor determining recovery. Some athletes adjust well to having an injury, whereas others don't. What makes the difference is how the athlete psychologically interprets and processes the fact of the injury.

A player can feel it during a game when they hit a match-winning goal or when they miss a wide open net. A team can feel it when they come back from a deficit late in the game or when their lead in the league vanishes. A fan can feel it as their team "catches fire" or goes "as cold as ice". And, play-by-play announcers love to talk about it. We know it as the "Big Mo", the "Hot Hand", and being "In The Zone" while the psychologists call it Psychological Momentum. But, does it really exist? Is it just a temporary shift in confidence and mood or does it actually change the outcome of a game or a season? As expected, there are lots of opinions available.

Encouragement in the media and sporting contexts to show mental toughness, hanging in there, show grit, dogged determination...is common. But is this always a good thing? Is there a flip-side to this emphasis of rising to all challenges, quitting being for wimps...?

Two applied mental conditioning positions have come up with IMG mental conditioning academies.