How Can a Psychologist Become a Sport Psychologist?
Commonly Asked Questions: • I am a very experienced tennis player (or golfer or runner or…), and I am a psychologist. Can I call myself, and practice as, a “sport psychologist?” • I coach (or used to coach) basketball (or soccer or football or…), and I am a psychologist. Can I call myself, and practice as, a “sport psychologist?” • I’ve read quite a bit about sport psychology, and I am a psychologist. Can I call myself, and practice as, a “sport psychologist?” Answer: No, not if you practice within your boundary of competence in accordance with APA Ethical Principles (1992; Standard 1.04). Explanation: A large group of experienced sport psychologists (about half trained in psychology programs and half trained in sport science programs) spent several years developing a set of definitions and criteria for necessary (but not sufficient) areas of training and knowledge in sport psychology. These materials are now used in two national certification programs to identify individuals with
