Why might you need a Clinical Psychologist rather than a Sport Psychologist:

Clinical Psychologists undergo extensive academic, clinical and research training to enable them to support a wide range of mental health issues. Sport Psychologists are fantastic at promoting sporting performance but will often refer on to Clinical Psychologists for more deep rooted problems. I combine my sporting background with my clinical background to provide services as a Clinical Sport Psychologist.

Often the difficulties an athlete faces within their sport are also a difficulty they face in daily life. Working on the overall picture can promote general wellbeing and sports performance. For example, an athlete whose self-talk is negative, critical and bullying will often bully themselves daily in work, relationships and social situations.

Contrastingly, the traits that promote an athlete’s performance can also cause problems in daily living. For instance, a determined and regimented athlete following a training plan may find that their regimented and rigid thinking becomes a problem in relationships.

Finally, sporting environments can make clinically diagnosable conditions ‘the norm’. For instance, athletes being told to lose weight may use strategies such as highly restricting calories, purging or laxative use. Such strategies can form part of a diagnosis of an eating disorder.

As a competitive athlete myself with published research in body image and athletes, I can really see a place for Clinical Psychology in Sports and I am passionate to help YOU.