Sports Psychology Career Guide

The term sport psychology refers to the study of the psychological aspects that affect performance and participation in sports. This specialization within kinesiology and psychology tries to comprehend the mental and psychological factors that affect performance in exercise, physical activity and sports to improve team and individual performance.

The field of sports psychology covers issues such as improving performance by controlling emotions and lessening the psychological effects of poor performance. Some of the most essential skills taught in this field of psychology are self-talk, visualization, relaxation, control, awareness, goal setting, periodization, attribution training, using rituals, confidence and concentration.

This gives characteristics to an individual's style of learning such as kinesthetic (emotional or hands on), visual and auditory learning. An example of this would be if an individual learns from hearing, they may benefit from imagining the sound of a crowd cheering their name after they have won a competition.

The American Psychological Association (APA) states that sports psychology includes a range of topics such as assessing talent, psychological considerations in sport rehabilitation and injury, techniques of counseling with athletes, motivation to achieve and persist, the self perceptions associated with achieving, exercising well-being and adherence, youth sport, self regulation techniques, performance enhancement and expertise in sport.

Careers

Sports psychologist typically perform a wide range of tasks relating to sports education and performance. Some opt to work directly with athletes in order to enhance performance and increase motivation while others may teach at the university level. Other careers in sports psychology include athletic consulting, scientific research, and client counseling.

Earning Potential of a Typical Sports Psychologist

The pay range within the field of sports psychology is competitive and is based primarily on areas of specialization, education and training. According to a salary survey made by the APA the mid-range salary for positions in university faculty in 2001 was $ 55,000. Some individuals who pursue careers in sports psychology, such as a high earning sports psychologist, can earn six-figure salaries by working for professional athletes as consultants.

Psychology Programs

At Argosy University, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree at one of their 19 campuses around the nation or online. Some of the courses offered at Argosy University include:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Clinical Health Psychology
• Client-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapy
• Counseling Psychology
• Industrial Organizational Psychology
• Marriage & Family Therapy
• Mental Health Counseling
• Pastoral Community Counseling
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Sport-Exercise Psychology