What Is A Sports Psychologist? The Connection Between Mental Health And Sports Performance

The field of sports psychology is relatively young compared to other areas of psychology, having originated in the late 19th century. Throughout the decades, sports psychologists have helped Olympic athletes, professional sports teams, and celebrated athletes achieve their full potential. 

Today, the field has expanded immensely, and sports psychologists often work across a wide range of sports with athletes of all levels. Some sports psychologists even work with high school athletes and teams alongside their coaches and trainers. If you’re an athlete and believe you could benefit from working with a mental health professional to improve your performance, consider connecting with a sports psychologist or licensed therapist for guidance.

What does a sports psychologist do?

In general, sports psychologists play a critical role in helping athletes achieve peak performance by addressing their mental and emotional development. They may also work closely with coaches, trainers, and other members of an athlete's support system to create a comprehensive cognitive and emotional development plan.

Finally, not only can sports psychologists address the performance and well-being of athletes, but they may also address the systemic social and developmental challenges associated with various organizations and sports settings. 

Where do sports psychologists work?

The skills of a sports psychologist can be used in many different environments, depending on their level of experience and education and their specialization. 

On the field with teams or individual athletes

Sports psychologists may work with professional athletes to achieve greater performance as part of the team. Some may work in a coaching capacity, while others may be employed as psychologists. Rather than working in a team setting, some sports psychologists may choose to work one-on-one with individuals or groups of athletes, such as golfers, tennis pros, gymnasts, or skaters. 

Regardless of the setting, the psychologist's job is generally to teach athletes the skills and techniques necessary for overcoming mental barriers to success, coping with traumatic losses, and improving performance. 

Strategies for achieving these goals are usually tailored to the individual's needs and may include the following: 

• Managing anxiety 
• Increasing focus
• Enhancing performance in stressful situations
• Coping with performance-related fear
• Learning mental preparation techniques like visualization
• Optimizing the effectiveness of training routines
• Building resilience to better cope with injury

High schools and colleges

Athletes who play sports in an academic setting often face additional challenges because they usually must maintain their academic performance as well as their athletic performance. In some cases, sports psychologists can assist college and high school athletes to cope with the added pressures of such responsibilities and find a balance between their academic, athletic, and personal lives. Sometimes, parents of high-performing high school athletes may hire a sports psychologist to help their child perform at their greatest potential so they may go on to compete professionally.

Clinical settings

Some sports psychologists work from an office, either independently or with a group of other mental health professionals. With this structure, athletes can attend appointments in the psychologist's office when they need help managing stress, depression, and other mental health challenges, particularly if these challenges are interfering with their overall performance. 

Clients may choose to visit a psychologist for additional support in preparing for a significant sporting event or if they need help processing difficult emotions resulting from loss, injury, or other incidents related to their athletic career. Additionally, some athletes may need help coping with changes in their athletic careers, such as switching between teams, adjusting to training, or managing other significant changes. 

Some sports psychologists take a different approach, assisting individuals in overcoming specific mental health difficulties by including physical activity as a component of therapy. For example, research indicates that physical activity like yoga, strength training, and walking or jogging may be just as effective for reducing depression as therapy or medication. 

Studies also suggest that aerobic exercise can be an effective complement to trauma-focused treatment in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research studies like these can assist sports psychologists in understanding the most effective ways to use exercise to improve their patients’ mental and emotional well-being. 

Rehabilitation centers

Not only can sports psychologists help athletes stay competitive, but they may also work in rehabilitation facilities, helping athletes cope with the trauma of serious injury. Working with a team of rehabilitation professionals, including physical therapists and sports psychologists, may help athletes heal from injuries and overcome fears and other mental obstacles that might limit their future success. A sports psychologist may teach patients how to use such setbacks as opportunities to improve their performance. 

Military settings

Military troops often face similar challenges on the battlefield as athletes do on the playing field. For example, they usually must function quickly at peak performance in high-stress situations. Because of this similarity, the US Army frequently hires sports psychologists (Performance Enhancement Specialists or PESs) to work with their troops to improve their cognitive, mental, and physical performance in battle.  

PESs may also work with soldiers and their families to help them build resilience to the distressing realities of war and military life and to cope with the potential difficulties that surface after combat and active duty. 

What type of knowledge and education does a sports psychologist need?

The American Psychological Association (APA) normally requires an individual to earn a doctoral degree and licensure to be a sports psychologist. There is also a recognized set of standards that can ensure those who pursue a sports psychology career are qualified to treat patients as a therapist. 

People who practice sports psychology typically need specialized knowledge regarding the following: 

• The skills and techniques required for sport-specific psychological assessment
• Mental skills training regarding performance enhancement
• Research and theory in the developmental, cultural, historical, and social foundations of sports psychology
• Systemic and organizational aspects of sport counseling
• Social and developmental considerations of sports participation
• Knowledge of exercise physiology, sports medicine, motor learning, and other biobehavioral foundations of exercise and sport participation
• Knowledge of the training, rules, and technical requirements of competitive organizations like the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Sports psychologist vs. mental health coach

Sports psychologists aren't the only mental health professionals who can help athletes navigate mental health challenges, achieve goals, and improve overall well-being. Mental health coaches can fill this role as well, providing support, guidance, and accountability to their clients as they work toward improving their mental health.

What does a mental health coach do?

Mental health coaches usually have several roles and responsibilities, including those listed below:

• Helping clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs
• Collaborating with clients to develop personalized wellness plans
• Assisting clients in setting realistic, achievable goals for their mental health
• Monitoring progress and providing feedback to clients
• Teaching coping skills and strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges
• Providing ongoing emotional support and encouragement
• Referring clients to other mental health professionals or resources when necessary

When should you seek help from a mental health coach?

People seek help from mental health coaches for many reasons, most commonly to improve overall well-being, develop skills and strategies for coping with mental health challenges, and create a more balanced, fulfilling life. Achieving this goal may include the following:

• Managing stress and anxiety
• Setting and achieving goals
• Improving self-confidence and self-esteem
• Enhancing relationships
• Developing healthy habits
• Overcoming obstacles and building resilience

Differences between sport psychology and mental health coaching: Do they need to have advanced education, like a doctoral degree, and what do they treat?

While sports psychology and mental health coaching may both be associated with mental health and well-being, they typically have different roles, qualification requirements, and focus areas. 

For example, sports psychology is often heavily focused on performance psychology, while mental health coaches normally focus more on aspects of counseling psychology. A sports psychologist is generally a licensed mental health professional specializing in working with athletes to enhance their performance and well-being. Meanwhile, mental health coaches aren't necessarily licensed but can act as coaches or mentors in helping individuals improve their overall mental health and well-being.

While both sports psychologists and mental health coaches often work with clients on goal setting and personal development, mental health coaches usually work on a more generalized level to address challenges like stress management, self-care, and relationship and communication skills. They frequently provide support and guidance, as well as accountability, to help clients make positive changes. 

Struggling to reach your full potential?

Work with a licensed therapist online

Seeking mental health support for sports performance with a sports psychologist

As an athlete, taking care of your mental health can be an important component of enhancing your performance. However, many athletes have busy schedules, and it can be challenging to find the time to attend weekly therapy appointments. Trying online therapy may be a valid alternative, as it usually allows for increased scheduling flexibility and can enable you to attend therapy from the location of your choice.

Existing evidence suggests that online therapy can be effective for athletes. For instance, a 2024 study stated that an online intervention generally reduced perfectionism in soccer players.