Sport Psychology

"My creative mind is my greatest weapon. It is a kind of inner vision that enables me to see things that others might not, like a certain way to play a shot. The psychology of golf can be complicated as it does entail mental toughness, self-confidence, conquering inner demons, instant recall of past successes and being able to purge failures. It is the game within the game, I developed my mental strength early and I cannot emphasise the importance of you developing yours now!"
Tiger Woods.

The mental demands of sport are every bit as important as the physical demands. Athletes, individuals and teams, spend thousands of hours perfecting their physical performance but many often neglect their mental skills and fitness. Development of your mental skills will enhance your physical and strategic skills and can make that all important difference between winning and being an 'also ran'.

Sport psychology is effective across all sport based activities and roles (players, trainers, coaches, referees, etc).

Some areas where sport psychology can enhance your performance:

self-confidence and self-esteem

motivation

goal setting

focus, concentration and attention

coping with stress and performing under pressure

controlling & effective use of aggression

team cohesion and dynamics

burnout

ability to come back after injury

FAQ'S

What is sport & exercise psychology?

Sports and exercise psychology is a branch of sports science that studies the psychological and behavioural factors in sport, exercise and other types of physical activity that have an impact on our performance. Sport and exercise psychologists have expert knowledge and a research base in the psychology of sport and exercise and are familiar with other sport and exercise science disciplines (e.g. physiology, biomechanics), giving them an understanding of how sport and physical activity affects an individual's psychological health and well-being throughout their lifespan.

Sport Psychology can be applied in several different ways, depending on the requirements of the client:

1. Educational workshops and seminars, to inform and educate sports performers about how sport psychology is a not a stand alone ‘fix’ but that physical, tactical, technical and psychological skills can be improved through the use of sport psychology interventions.
   
   
2. Athlete assessment, using a variety of methods (e.g. interviews, questionnaires, physical tests, videos, observation, etc) to;
   1. enable the sport psychologist to have a thorough understanding of the performer, their strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas for change and improvement using sport psychology interventions.
   2. obtain information about the athlete’s stage of development and potential for success in their sport
      
      
3. Individual consultations, to coach individual performers in the use of psychological skills to improve their physical, tactical, technical and psychological performance
   
   
4. Team & group work,
   1. to help improve; interaction skills, communication skills, understanding of groups dynamics, including team roles and the individual personalities within the team, team-building and team work.
   2. to identify within the team and team subgroups strengths and weaknesses and areas for change and improvement via sport psychology interventions.
      
      

   'Her [Paula Radcliffe] talent is in her mind' Brendan Foster, 2001

What are my professional codes of practice?

As a member of British Psychological Society, British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences and the Association for Coaching, I practice:

within their codes of conduct

using evidence based and reflective practice

to a programme of continuous professional development

What to expect from me as your sport or exercise psychologist?

I work in consultation with individuals, teams, coaches, etc., to an appropriate and agreed mental skills training programme with the objective of helping clients to achieve optimum performance, greater personal satisfaction and personal development through the use of mental skills.

The essence of my work is developing awareness and responsibility, using powerful and clarifying questions, focus, planning tools, exercises, reviews and accountability. I am results focused and have high expectations of clients and support them thoroughly.

Is it therapy?

No. The focus is very much on the future… developing potential, future success, planning and personal growth. Sport and exercise psychology does not attempt to heal past hurts or emotional trauma and clients who might benefit from a therapeutic relationship will be advised to consult a more appropriate professional.

Photo IW County Press, Chris Thwaites

Is it worth the investment?

Client's programmes are set up based on individual requirements. If you are cautious about spending money and concerned about getting the best from your investment, ask yourself 'am I/are we worth it?' Your fee is an investment in yourself that pays big dividends. To make sure that you get the best from your investment:

Hire a sport psychologist that best suits your needs

During your initial consultation set a goal that is worth     accomplishing and worth the fee

Make the most of your coaching time. Tell your coach what     results you want and your coach helps you to make it happen

How can I find out more?

Please contact Sarah on +44 (0)1983 523003 or e-mail
web@sarah-fenwick.com to for more information on how sport and exercise psychology can help you, or for details of executive, health and life coaching.

What does it cost?

Please contact me for information.