PSY FPX 6820 Assessment 5 Reflection for Professional Development

Student Name

Capella University

PSY FPX 6820 Performance Enhancement in Sports

Prof. Name:

Date

Plan

The sport psychology career path I envision for my near future is career track one: teaching and research in sport sciences, along with working with athletes to enhance their performance. However, my ultimate goal is to progress to career track three, where I can serve as a sport psychologist, providing clinical or counseling services to diverse populations. To achieve this, I will need to obtain a license in psychology, gain experience applying psychological principles in sports settings, and develop a strong foundation in sport psychology research, along with a familiarity with exercise science (AASP, 2022). Currently, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Kinesiology, which provides a solid educational background to support my knowledge in this field.

Regarding my preferences in the realm of sport psychology, I recognize that there is still much for me to learn. I understand that my current views may evolve over time, and I am comfortable with that. What I have learned thus far has been both useful and intriguing, and I am eager to explore the vast amount of research that remains. Additionally, the career track aligns well with my strengths, including my background in sport science and my interest in the NFL, soccer, and sports in general, which reflects my aspirations for career track three at this stage in my training.

The question of my next steps is both daunting and exciting. Initially, I outlined my career timeline at the beginning of my journey at Capella, expressing my desire to work in the NFL. Although I have not yet completed my studies, I have secured a mentorship with the NFL, which has been invaluable for my career development. Therefore, my next step is to continue researching and gaining experience, likely in a setting outside the NFL before ultimately joining the organization. Specifically, my immediate career goal is to obtain my CMPC license and become a member of AASP. To prepare for career track three, I plan to maintain my mentorship with the senior manager from the NFL, apply to APA-accredited doctoral programs, and seek additional coursework in sport psychology and exercise topics (APA, 2022; AASP, 2022).

Ethics

The ethical codes and standards are integral to my professional development plan, as I adhere to the APA Ethical Principles by not identifying or considering myself a sport psychologist at this stage. To become a certified sport psychologist, I must complete 100 direct contact hours with clients, along with 40 hours of supervision approved by an AASP supervisor, with all 400 hours verified by the same supervisor (AASP, 2022). According to the APA Division 47 website, I must be a certified member in compliance with AASP and uphold high ethical standards (AASP, 2022). For instance, a performance enhancement concept related to eating disorders may be influenced by factors such as self-talk. If initial strategies prove ineffective, the decision to involve other professionals becomes crucial, provided the athlete is open to consulting specialists outside my expertise. A relevant standard I could apply is Personal Problems and Conflicts (B) and Consultations and Referrals, which emphasizes the need for referrals to other specialists after unsuccessful intervention attempts (AASP, 2022).

I aspire to create my work to be applicable to various populations, as they can be both general and motivating. However, modifications may be necessary for different sports. As I noted in a previous assignment, various sports involve diverse activities, skill levels, pressures, and personalities. Therefore, understanding and applying AASP Ethical Principle 3, Human Differences, will be essential in assisting different populations, as adhering to this ethical standard ensures that I do not discriminate or act incompetently (AASP, 2022).

Refining

In conclusion, there are several aspects I would refine in my approach. First, I would have preferred to delve deeper into the strengths, weaknesses, pros, and cons of all assignments. Second, in assessment three, I would have explored additional inventories that serve similar functions for the current range of services available to athletes. My approach in assessment one could also have been improved by incorporating more theories and emphasizing the transition from older to newer research. Lastly, in assessment two, I could have enhanced my analysis by studying each of Andrew’s TAIS results more thoroughly, as there were numerous variables tested, and I would have liked to provide a more detailed explanation for each variable in relation to Andrew’s potential draft pick scenario.

References

American Psychological Association, Division 47: Exercise and Sport Psychology. (Accessed February 2022). Defining the practice of sport and performance psychology – Final [PDF].