Sport psychologists working with athletes, teams and sports performers are only as effective as their professional techniques and competencies will allow. This is the first book to offer a detailed and critical appraisal of the conceptual foundations of contemporary professional practice in sport psychology. The book presents a series of reviews of the most up-to-date academic and professional literature on professional practice, exploring issues that all psychologists face when working with clients in sport and offers important evidence-based recommendations for best practice. Key topics covered include:
models of practice and service delivery
counselling and clinical intervention
working with teams
working with young performers
providing life skills training
managing career transitions
working with special populations
enhancing coach-athlete relations.
With contributions from leading sport psychology consultants in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and continental Europe, this is a comprehensive and thought-provoking resource that bridges the gap between research and application. It is vital reading for all advanced students, researchers and professionals working in sport psychology.
Introduction 1. Models of Sport Psychology Practice and Delivery: A Review 2. Working with Young Athletes 3. Psychological Perspectives on Athletes with Physical Disabilities 4. Professional Practice Issues when Working with Team Sports 5. Working with Injured Athletes: Research and Practice 6. Professional Practice Issues in Athlete Burnout 7. Working with Athletes in Career Transitions 8. Psychological Preparation in Early Phases of Talent Development in Sport 9. Working with Coach-Athlete Relationships: Their Quality and Maintenance 10. Developing Life Skills in Athletes 11. Practitioner-Client Relationships in Applied Sport Psychology Practice 12. Reflective Practice: Key Issues for Applied Sport Psychologists