ABSTRACT
Sport Psychology is concerned with the mental processes, wellbeing, and performance of people involved in sport, which frames the link between the Sport Psychologist’s mental health and their own performance, and the potential implications on client-users, key stakeholders, and the broader performance environment. This chapter articulates the expansion of the present-day sport psychology consultant role beyond the traditional framework of performance enhancement to promote the athlete’s ability to thrive. In addition to the many risks to psychology practitioner mental health documented in the literature, this chapter explores the context-specific challenges experienced by the applied Sport Psychologist, which may impact the capacity for effective practice and limit protection from mental health risks. Practitioner mental health and wellbeing are understood through the Keyes and Slade model and Burnout is presented as one of the most common manifestations of impaired mental health amongst practitioner Psychologists. The antecedents and consequences of burnout and engagement amongst Sport Psychologists are understood here in the context of the Job Demands–Resources Model. Recommendations presented go beyond the clear need for individual self-care by the practitioner Sport Psychologist, to explore situational, organisational, and systemic supports to protect and promote the mental health and wellbeing of the consultant.
