PSY FPX 8845 Assessment 4 Informational Interview

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Capella University

PSY FPX 8845 Current Issues in Sport Psychology

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Date

Abstract

Mental training is becoming an increasingly essential therapy to help athletes overcome challenges both on the field and in life. Additionally, success with mental training techniques has transformed many athletes from average performers into elite competitors by helping them conquer mental barriers. The use of mental training skills is the fastest-growing trend in sports over the past five years, and its growth continues rapidly. This paper provides information from an informal interview about the rising trend of mental athletic training in sports, the current challenges faced by professionals in sports psychology, the use of technology in mental training therapy, and how mental training professionals manage multicultural diversity, including ethnicity, gender, and other subgroups.

Mental Training Skills: The Ins and Outs with Professional Athletes

The field of sports psychology today, like many specializations in psychology, is evolving rapidly. Society is driven by sports, with hundreds of millions of dollars spent annually on merchandise, tickets, and salaries, among other areas. Research has shown that due to the passion for sports, athletes experience increasing pressure to perform at their best, and they turn to sports psychologists to help maximize their talents (American Psychological Association, 2020). Mark Aoyagi, PhD, director of sports psychology at the University of Denver, explains that this need for excellence is not limited to athletes’ performance on the field but extends to performance psychology, which is applicable in various environments (American Psychological Association, 2020). As fans continue to fuel the passionate sports world, the demand for sports psychologists grows across different levels.

Rationale for Mental Skills Training in Sports Psychology

The rationale for exploring the use of mental training for athletes is straightforward. With the increasing demand for athletes to excel at high and elite levels, the need for mental training is growing in the sports world. Psychological Skills Training (PST), or mental training, refers to the systematic and consistent practice of mental or psychological skills to enhance performance or achieve greater fulfillment in sports and physical activities. PST has become a trend used by athletes from high school to the professional level to improve performance, both individually and as a team (Einarsson, Kristjansdottir, & Saavedra, 2020). More athletes are seeking PST to address psychological challenges affecting their performance, such as performance anxiety and mental fatigue.

Upcoming Trends and Interventions

PST involves three critical phases for effective application in sports. The first phase is the education phase, where athletes learn techniques to improve performance, often for the first time. The second phase, the acquisition phase, involves athletes learning and mastering these techniques through repeated practice. Finally, the practice phase allows athletes to apply these skills in real-time, helping them become more comfortable with the techniques (Einarsson, Kristjansdottir, & Saavedra, 2020). During an interview with Hannah Huesman, M.S., Mental Skills Trainer for the Philadelphia Phillies, the significance of mental training in today’s sports world became evident. Techniques such as visualization, deep breathing exercises, and positive self-talk are commonly used by professional athletes (H. Huesman, personal interview, May 7, 2020). While mental training is not mandatory in her organization, Huesman notes a significant difference between athletes who use PST and those who do not. Her approach emphasizes building trust with athletes, as forcing mental training on them can create barriers (H. Huesman, personal interview, May 7, 2020).

As Huesman explained, mental training has evolved significantly. In the past, athletes were simply expected to “be tough” and “take one for the team.” Today, professional sports teams often have a sports psychologist and mental skills trainer on staff (H. Huesman, personal interview, May 7, 2020). Huesman noted that her interaction with athletes has increased to 3-4 times per week, a significant rise compared to the frequency a decade ago.

Ethical Concerns and Considerations

The rise in therapies like PST brings ethical considerations. Despite being employed by the same organization, Huesman feels it is important to review the informed consent policy with athletes to ensure all parties agree on treatment or training plans. Building trust is crucial, and Huesman makes sure to explain her background in PST and the confidentiality of their sessions (H. Huesman, personal interview, May 7, 2020). Research supports the importance of ethical concerns, such as confidentiality, competence, and informed consent. Athletes need to trust their trainer’s competency to build a strong working relationship (Greenfield & West, 2018). Furthermore, ethical standards require consistent and fair treatment for all athletes, as outlined by the American Psychological Association (2019). Failure to adhere to these standards could result in the loss of licensure and practice privileges (H. Huesman, personal interview, May 7, 2020).

Developmental Plan and Goals in Sports Psychology

After discussing mental training with Huesman, it became clear that having an organized developmental plan is essential in sports psychology. I plan to specialize further in this field and pursue certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC©). This requires completing the CMPC© application, fulfilling a minimum of 400 hours of mentored experience, 200 hours of direct client contact, 150 hours in support activities, and 40 hours of face-to-face or electronic mentorship. Additionally, a Mentor Verification Form must be submitted with the certification application. To stay current in the field, I will also engage in research on mental training techniques and regularly connect with contacts in professional and collegiate organizations.

Conclusion

From a young age, sports have been a passion of mine. Through research and analysis of emerging trends, I have become a better mentor and coach to the athletes I work with. Mental skills training has sparked a deeper interest in the possibilities it offers athletes, from those struggling with self-confidence to those seeking to elevate their performance. As one source states, mental toughness is finding fuel in an empty tank (Out Run Your Excuses, 2019), and I aim to be that fuel for the athletes I work with.

References

American Psychological Association. (1953). Ethical standards of psychologists. American Psychological Association.
American Psychological Association. (2020). Hot careers: Sports Psychology. https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2012/11/sport-psychoogy

Einarsson, E., Kristjansdottir, H., & Saavedra, J. (2020). Relationship between elite athletes’ psychological skills and their training in those skills. Nordic Psychology, 72(1), 23-32.

Glass, C., Spears, C., & Rokas, P. (2019). Mindful sport performance enhancement: Randomized controlled trial of a mental training program with collegiate athletes. Journal of Clinical Sports Psychology, 13(4), 609-628.

Greenfield, B., & West, C. (2018). Ethical issues in sports medicine: A review and justification for ethical decision-making and reasoning. Sports Health, 4(6), 475–479. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738112459327