ABSTRACT

Clinical sport psychology is a rapidly growing field that brings together research and clinical interventions from both clinical psychology and sport and performance psychology. Complementary to sports medicine and clinical sport psychiatry, clinical sport psychology addresses the mental health needs and psychological well-being of athletes, coaches, and other members of the sport community. It offers scientifically informed conceptualizations of psychological distress as it manifests in sport settings, as well as empirically supported clinical interventions tailored to the needs of sport populations.

This volume addresses the latest research findings regarding mental health among athletes and other sport professionals, including epidemiological research concerning depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and conduct and interpersonal problems. In addition, it explores the unique etiology of mental health problems among athletes, including psychological sequelae of injury and trauma, as well as concise practice guidelines for conceptualizing and treating psychological distress in sport populations. Strategies for thorough yet efficient psychological assessment of athletes, coaches, and other sport professionals are also provided.

A compendium of relevant empirical research and clinical best practices for assessment and treatment, this handbook charts the course that clinical sport psychology has taken since its inception as a distinct clinical specialty and highlights future directions for this rapidly growing practice domain. It offers essential reading for psychologists and other mental health professionals who provide clinical services in sport and performance settings.

part |38 pages

Clinical Sport Psychology

chapter 1|8 pages

Introduction

The State of Play in Clinical Sport Psychology

chapter 2|14 pages

Clinical Sport Psychology in Practice

Sport-Specific Roles, Settings, Strategies, and Recommendations for Its Advancement

part Section I|80 pages

Psychological Distress in Sport Populations

part Section II|79 pages

Social and Situational Stressors in Sport and Performance Settings

part Section III|82 pages

Assessment, Conceptualization, and Treatment

chapter 16|8 pages

Looking Good

Understanding Impression Management in Assessment of Athletes

part Section IV|114 pages

Best Practices in Clinical Sport Psychology

part |10 pages

Conclusion

chapter 30|8 pages

Looking Downfield

Future Directions for Clinical Sport Psychology