Exploring the impact of training in psychological support for long-term injured athletes on sport psychologists’ professional development and practice

Abstract

This research explores the professional development of sport and exercise psychologists in supporting long-term injured athletes. The objectives of this research were to design and deliver a theoretically grounded professional skills workshop (‘Injury informed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy’- IACT) for sport psychology practitioners and explore the practitioners’ perceptions of the impact of training on their practice. Injury is well-recognised to have significant psychological consequences for athletes, and while practitioners regularly work to support them, there is currently a paucity of training available on this important topic. The study used an applied interpretive methodology with principles of integrated knowledge translation and a practice-based approach to explore professional development. Sport psychology practitioners attended a one-day CPD workshop that aimed to equip practitioners with the necessary skills and knowledge to better support long-term injured athletes. The CPD was designed and developed to meet the needs of practitioners including understanding the injury journey and the associated mental health risks for athletes, ACT therapeutic skills, and evidence-based practice. Data were collected through questionnaires, focus-group interviews, and follow-up interviews with practitioners at 3- and 6-months post workshop. Results showed that the IACT workshop was effective CPD training, improving practitioners’ knowledge and understanding of the injury journey, the potential impacts on athlete mental health, and their confidence in being able to effectively support injured athletes. Results from follow-up interviews showed that practitioners perceived the workshop to have significant, wide-ranging impacts on their practice, and findings were organised into five general dimensions; ‘Self’, ‘Therapeutic Alliance’, ‘Working Alliance’, ‘Process and Organisation’, and ‘Beyond’, conceptualised as a ‘ripple effect’. This research adds important practice-based evidence and concludes that current training requirements for sport psychologists in this area are insufficient, and more training of this kind needs to be available to protect athlete wellbeing, bridge the research-practice gap, and develop the profession.