ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews foundational competencies for clinical sport psychologists (CSPs). The chapter begins by identifying the professionals who, based on their educational background, can ethically use the term CSP. Next, the construct of competence is defined. Given that CSPs utilize theories and interventions from both clinical psychology and applied sport psychology (ASP), the chapter reviews literature on core competencies in both disciplines. Next, the limited literature on competence in CSP is described. Finally, the author suggests a graduate training model as well as two additional models from professional psychology that can be applied to begin to delineate competence and support practitioners as they work to achieve, maintain, and expand competence in CSP. The chapter concludes with particular sport-specific triggers for clinical concerns that are most relevant to CSPs who wish to work competently with competitive athletes.
