Sports ask a lot of your mind and body. Pressure to perform, setbacks, injuries, and the balancing act of training, school, or work can all take a toll, whether you compete professionally or play on weekends.
A sports psychologist is a licensed psychologist with specialized training in the mental side of sports and performance. They can help you sharpen skills such as focus and confidence, and they can also support your mental health when things feel harder than they should.
We put this guide together to explain what sports psychologists do, how they compare with other professionals in the field, and how to find someone who fits your goals.
What Is a Sports Psychologist?
Sports psychology focuses on how thoughts, emotions, and behavior affect athletic performance and well-being. Demand for sports psychologists has grown as athletes seek help with performance and mental health alike.
Sports psychologists work with athletes of all ages and levels, from youth leagues to professional teams. They may also work with coaches, parents, and teams as a whole.
Their work usually falls into a few overlapping areas.
What Does a Sports Psychologist Do?
Builds Mental Performance Skills
Many athletes see a sports psychologist to strengthen the mental skills that support performance. Common goals include reducing performance anxiety, improving concentration, building confidence, staying motivated, and setting clear goals.
For example, imagine a swimmer who trains well all season but tightens up at championship meets. A sports psychologist might help them build a pre-race routine, practice calming breathing, and rehearse the race in their mind so competition feels more familiar.
Supports Mental Health
Athletes deal with anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and burnout, just as anyone else can. A licensed sports psychologist can assess and treat these concerns while understanding the culture and pressures of sport. They often use approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you notice unhelpful thought patterns and practice new ways of responding.
Helps With Injury Recovery
Recovering from an injury involves more than physical rehab. Fear of reinjury, frustration, and a pessimistic outlook can slow progress, even when the body is ready. Anxiety can also play a role in injury risk, rehabilitation, and returning to play.
Because several kinds of professionals offer sports-focused support, it helps to know how their training differs.
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Sports Psychologist vs. Mental Performance Consultant: What’s the Difference?
Several kinds of providers offer sports-focused support. Their training shapes what they can help with.
Licensed Sports Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
Sports psychologists hold a doctoral degree in psychology and a state license, plus additional training in athlete performance and mental health.. Their doctoral training includes psychotherapy and psychological assessment and is shaped by research, often with deeper specialization in particular areas. What this means for you as a client: they can help with both performance goals and mental health conditions, and they can provide formal assessment when it’s needed.
Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC)
A Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) is a professional certified by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. CMPCs come from sport science or psychology backgrounds and focus on performance skills. They don’t provide mental health treatment unless they also hold a state license to do so. What this means for you as a client: a CMPC can be a strong choice for focus, confidence, and pressure, and they should refer you to a licensed provider if mental health concerns come up.
Licensed Therapist With a Sports Focus (LPC, LCSW, or LMFT)
Some licensed counselors, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists specialize in working with athletes. Licensed professional counselors bring master’s-level, skills-based training in managing symptoms and life challenges. Clinical social workers consider how relationships and life circumstances shape mental health, and marriage and family therapists look at patterns within families and teams. What this means for you as a client: these providers can address mental health concerns with an understanding of sports, though their performance training varies, so ask about their experience.
Who Can Benefit From Seeing a Sports Psychologist?
You don’t need to be a professional athlete to benefit. People who often seek this kind of support include the following.
- Student athletes balancing academics, training, and competition.
- Youth athletes and their families working through pressure, motivation, or burnout.
- Recreational and masters athletes who want to enjoy their sport more or reach a personal goal.
- Athletes recovering from injury or facing retirement and a change in identity.
- Coaches and other performers, such as musicians, who face similar pressure to deliver under stress.
When Is It Time to Talk to Someone?
Many athletes wait until things feel serious, but earlier support often makes the work easier. It may be a good time to reach out if you notice any of the following.
- You’ve lost enjoyment in a sport you used to love.
- Nerves are affecting your sleep, appetite, or performance in competition.
- Fear of reinjury is holding you back after you’ve been medically cleared.
- You feel low, anxious, or overwhelmed most days, on or off the field.
- Thoughts about food, weight, or your body are taking up a lot of space.
How Do I Find a Sports Psychologist?
Start with your team or school. Many colleges and athletic programs have sports psychologists or licensed counselors on staff, and athletic trainers can often make referrals. Only about half of NCAA student-athletes reported feeling comfortable seeking support from a licensed provider on campus, so it’s normal to want options outside your program, too.
Your insurance directory, your doctor, and directories from professional organizations are also good places to look. When you reach out, ask about licensure, training in sport, and experience with your level of competition. Learning about the different types of providers and preparing a few questions for a first call can make the process smoother.
We created Mental Health Match to make the search easier, and it’s free to use. You answer a few questions about what you’re working on and what you want in a therapist, such as experience with athletes or performance anxiety, and we introduce you to five therapists suited to help. Most therapists on Mental Health Match offer a free consultation, so you can ask about their sports experience before you book.
| Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to a qualified healthcare professional about any medical concerns. If you are in crisis, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. |
