Date of Award

4-30-2018

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.H.K.

Department

Kinesiology

Keywords

Applied Sport Psychology, Managing the Self, Psychological Skills, Qualitative Research, Self-Practice, Sport Psychology Consultant

Supervisor

Chandler, Krista

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine self-practice by identifying the psychological skills that sport psychology consultants (SPCs) used to improve their consulting as well as where, when, why, and how they used those skills. The participants were eight Canadian-based SPCs (3 male, 5 female) that had between 4 and 23 years of consulting experience (M = 10.5, SD = 6.74). The SPCs reported using deep breathing, goal setting, self-reflection, time management, imagery, mindfulness, self-talk, and bioneurofeedback with themselves. They practiced these psychological skills at different times (e.g., when needed, before a session), in a variety of ways (e.g., spontaneously, deliberately, applying specific techniques), and for various purposes (e.g., refine their service delivery, achieve a work-life balance). As such, SPCs should be encouraged to “practice what they preach”, given the range of potential benefits associated with the use of psychological skills (e.g., foster the consultant-client relationship, understand the psychological skill, enhance psychological constructs).

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