What is CPD for sports psychologists?

Psychology can be a valuable contributor to success for sports professionals. The challenges presented by sports can be significant, and the work of sports psychologists helps individuals maintain high standards in their field. In this article, we will discuss the role and benefits of a sports psychologist, and why it can be important for sports psychologists to participate in regular CPD training.

What is a sports psychologist?

A sports psychologist is a professional who provides services that support the mental and physical well-being of those participating in, or associated with, sports. Sports psychologists may work with athletes at a junior or senior level, coaches, parents or partners affected by sports - as well as many other sports industry professionals. Sports psychologists offer a personal service to individuals to meet the requirements of their sporting field and support their own unique circumstances and challenges.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the term used to describe the learning professionals engage in to develop and enhance their abilities throughout their career. CPD is a holistic approach to learning involving various methods such as training courses, events, workshops, seminars and online courses.

The benefits of sports psychology for athletes and coaches

Sports psychology has become an increasingly valued service within sport. Sports psychologists are often recognised as a crucial factor in ensuring athletes and coaches achieve their goals and deliver the best performance. Although by no means exhaustive, below are five key benefits athletes and coaches receive from the services of a sports psychologist:

1. Optimal performance

Sports psychology is a valuable means for athletes and coaches to optimise their performance. Psychological factors can have a critical effect on performance in sport, including key areas such as focus, confidence, motivation and resilience. An understanding of psychology can improve these fundamentals and help athletes and coaches be more proficient in their sport and push towards the highest performance levels.

2. Mental well-being

As well as benefits for sporting performance, sports psychology can also help athletes and coaches with their overall mental well-being - including when they are not performing. Sports psychology may help with personal emotional issues. It can also build mental resilience and stability which allows professionals to relax outside of performance. Overall mental well-being and a capacity to mentally recharge can be crucial for practicing athletes and coaches due to the high pressure of competition.

3. Situational support

Sports psychology can be beneficial for athletes and coaches in a variety of specific situations. These situations can include mental well-being during injury rehabilitation, addressing mental illness and dealing with changes in professional and personal circumstances. Sports psychologists may also work with teams to help improve cooperation, communication, and cohesiveness.

4. Longevity

Sports psychology can help athletes and coaches with their longevity in sport. Longevity in sport can be restricted by both body and mind. Sports psychologists may help build mental resilience and confidence following injury to potentially prolong a career. They can also help professionals develop new goals and maintain motivation as their career progresses.

5. Training routine and refinement

Many sports psychologists will offer specialist training advice. Sports psychologists with expertise in physical training can help refine training routines and develop practices that blend mental and physical well-being. They can also help professionals develop focused goals around their training which will lead to optimal sporting performance.

Why is CPD important for sports psychologists?

CPD can help sports psychologists ensure they are developing relevant skills and continue to provide a reliable and valuable service. Below are some of the advantages for sports psychologists who actively participate in CPD training:

Stay up to date with trends and technologies

New trends and technologies may affect the best practices of a sports psychologist. It is important for sports psychologists to stay up to date with these changes and understand how to potentially implement them into their service. Participating in CPD can help sports psychologists develop an understanding of new methods and offers opportunities to learn about modern practices.

Improve skills and knowledge

The field of sports psychology requires a broad skillset. As well as being able to focus on developing their own specialism, CPD also offers sports psychologists the potential to build valuable transferable skills. This could be in core areas such as leadership, communication and data analysis.

Provide opportunities to specialise

CPD can help sports psychology professionals specialise in certain aspects of their field and focus on learning that increases their expertise and value in a specific area. For example, professionals may engage in learning around supporting injury rehabilitation or focus on anatomy and physical development in order to specialise in the development of training routines. CPD can be the basis for developing a specialist service and providing in demand expertise.

Adhere to rules and regulations

Industry standards and rules and regulations can change regularly. Active CPD is an effective way for sports psychologists to learn and stay informed about current industry regulations. This can ensure that professionals continue to provide a service which adheres to these requirements.

Increase professional network

CPD events can help sports psychologists expand their professional network. Sharing expertise and knowledge with industry peers may help individuals learn new methods and practices and improve their overall service. CPD networking can also present new career opportunities as sports psychologists will meet professionals from other sports and across industries.

Cost effective and flexible

CPD can often be a cost-effective method of learning. CPD courses are often affordable, or even free, offering learners a chance to develop their skills and knowledge without overextending their budget. CPD learning can also offer flexibility. This could be engaging with learning methods such as online courses, but CPD also emphasises the importance of reflective learning such as reading relevant books or watching educational videos.

What are the CPD requirements for sports psychologists and how to record your activities?

The International Society of Sports Psychology (ISSP) is the professional body that helps to ensure high standards and increased development within the field of sports psychology. Members of the ISSP include researchers, psychologists, educators, coaches, and administrators, as well as students and athletes interested in sport psychology.

In the UK, many sports psychologists will be members of The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The HCPC require all members to show a commitment and participate regularly in CPD. HCPC annually conduct a random audit of their members to check their participation and individuals must keep a record of their CPD activities.

myCPD Portal is a free powerful online CPD tool that helps professionals manage, record and log their Continuing Professional Development in one simple place. It can assist you with keeping track of any courses, workshops, seminars, eLearning, conferences and events that you have attended throughout the year. Store CPD certificates, set annual targets, analyse your progress and download your CPD record for your employer or professional body.

Where can I find CPD courses in sports psychology?

Within the CPD Courses Catalogue, there are a range of sports psychology courses, as well as other beneficial CPD learning including educational events, eLearning programs, conferences, workshops and seminars – all of which have been formally CPD certified. To find out more about a particular CPD course listed on our website, complete an enquiry form and the details will be sent directly to the relevant CPD provider.

Undertaking recognised courses in sports psychology can be useful for those looking to expand on their existing skillset or get started in the area of sports psychology. All the training on our website has been reviewed and recognised as meeting the required industry standards and benchmarks.

If you are interested in learning more about CPD in sports and psychology, you can read our previous related articles:

• CPD Courses for Personal Trainers (read here)
• A Guide to CPD for Psychologists (read here)
• CPD Courses for Sports Coaches (read here)

How to become an accredited CPD provider

We hope this article was helpful. Established in 1996, The CPD Certification Service has over 27 years’ experience providing CPD accreditation. With members in over 100 countries, our CPD providers benefit from the ability to promote themselves as part of an international community where quality is both recognised and assured.

If you are interested in offering training courses, seminars, workshops, eLearning, or educational events suitable for Continuing Professional Development, please visit the Become a CPD Provider page or contact our team to discuss in more detail. Alternatively, if you are looking for a free online CPD record tool to help manage, track and log your ongoing learning, as well as store your professional training records and attendance certificates in one simple place, go to the myCPD Portal page.