Sports Psychology

Sports psychologists can have many different roles with a team or player. Some develop strategies or concepts that are all about creating better performances on game day, leading to more wins and a better chance of taking home a championship trophy. Other sports psychologists work on development so that players can improve over time, maintain high skills, and not be negatively affected by the consequences of physical and mental competition. Still others work with athletes to develop solutions for the most intimate mental health problems that occur— problems that athletes may not be comfortable discussing with teammates, friends, family, or the media. While psychology is a science, with researchers collecting information to demonstrate a specific outcome, the task of coming up with solutions for many different athletic problems requires a great deal of creativity and flexibility, making a sports psychologist both an artist and a scientist. Given the demands and pressures on athletes, from the expectation of victory to the high-public profile to the fear of HOW PSYCHOLOGY HELPS

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