Frequently Asked Questions
What does a sport psychologist do?

Fundamentally, sport and Exercise psychologists should seek to apply psychological knowledge, skills and expertise within the context of sport, exercise and performance. In terms of what the minimum standards are that sport and exercise psychologists need to conform to, specific guidance can be found on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) website (link below). The HCPC also keep a register of all individuals who are legally able to practice as sport and exercise psychologists in the UK.

Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Practice for Practitioner Psychologists

What qualifications should they have?

Initial meeting (to discuss the potential of the proposed consultancy) either face-to-face or online: £ Free

One-to-one sessions Are charged per session, though the price can be cheaper if three sessions are booked at the same time. 

For group work there is a set day rate, and the cost of workshops can vary depending upon the length of the session.

In one sense this is a straight forward question. To call yourself a sport psychologist you have to be on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered for practitioner psychologists. Sport and Exercise Psychologist is a protected title, and only individuals who meet the HCPC's criteria in terms of knowledge, expertise and experience are allowed access to the register. Psychologists are often (but not always) also Chartered members of the British Psychological Society (BPS). There are though also Sport and Exercise Scientists with particular expertise relating to the application of psychology. These individuals need to be accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). If someone in the UK is not either HCPC registered, BPS Chartered, or BASES accredited then they are not a sport psychologist, or someone who can apply psychological expertise in the domain of sport. They might be very good at what they do, but they are not a sport psychologist.

Cost and duration of consultation

Consultancy sessions normally last for 45 minutes, with an initial consultation / profiling session lasting for 90 minutes. An initial 'pre-meeting' is available free of charge.

Confidentiality and data protection

As a BPS Chartered Psychologist I am bound by the BPS code of conduct for members. The code states that psychologists normally have to gain the consent of the client before confidential information can be disclosed. The only time where this condition can be breached is if there is a risk of harm to the client or other individuals. It is also a requirement that data and information (e.g., meeting records) are stored in a way to ensure they cannot be accessed by a third party, and to ensure that inadvertent disclosure does not take place. For further details regarding the code of conduct click on the link below:

British Psychological Society Code of Conduct