Who are qualified sports psychologists?
Advice for athletes (UK & Overseas)
In January 2008 the UK government issued a white paper which outlined their intent to regulate and monitor unqualified individuals identifying themselves as ‘psychologists’, ‘sport psychologists’ and those working in the mind capacity of some form. If you are an athlete seeking to use a sport psychologist within the UK or from the UK, you should know that there are only two formal routes to sport psychology accreditation. Notably, the British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered Status and the British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences (BASES) Accredited Status.
The route to qualification
Qualifying as a British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences Accredited Sport Psychologist takes a minimum of seven years and the time frame of this is comparable with the legal profession. Typically, the seven year period includes; three years’ undergraduate study; a minimum of one year postgraduate study and then three years’ supervised experience with BASES. Completing the three year supervised experience process does not grant automatic accreditation however. During each year of supervised experience, individuals have to pass and complete a portfolio of work each year. At the end of the three year period candidates also have to submit a comprehensive case study supported with client references. If successful, candidates become an ‘accredited sports psychologist’ for a five year period. Once the five year accredited period expires, accredited sports psychologists have to submit another lengthy case study to be re-accredited (with client references). Hence, it is no surprise there are only 192 BASES Accredited Sport Psychologists working throughout the UK and overseas.
Many qualified ‘Sports Psychologists’ from BASES and ‘Psychologists’ from the BPS find that athletes are wrongly misled into believing someone is a qualified ‘sport psychologist’ or ‘psychologist’ working in sport. For an athlete seeking performance support this is a very grey area and can be confusing if there is list of qualifications after a name. For example, an individual can attend a weekend course, obtain a diploma in sports psychology or NLP certificate and misleadingly advertise themselves as a sports psychologist and in some cases a psychologist. All of these courses should provide the individual with some great insight and understanding. However, because of the vast discrepancy between this and a seven year process of vigorous assessment and observation to become an accredited sports psychologist or chartered psychologist, the government are aiming to protect the right to identify yourself as a sports psychologist. David James, England’s number one goalkeeper wrote a great article about this in the Guardian ‘outlining how easy it is to call yourself a sport psychologist, attach yourself to a high profile team or athlete and not be challenged’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/dec/16/newsstory.sport6
So if you are an athlete, here is some guidance for you when employing the services of a sports psychologist, check for the following:
1. Undergraduate qualification
2. Postgraduate qualification
3. Whether they are a BASES or BPS member, but not just a member, check they are accredited or chartered via the two methods below.
4. British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences (BASES) Accredited Sport Psychologist or
5. British Psychological Society (BPS) chartered psychologist.
6. Check certificates and that they also have indemnity insurance.
If anyone is seeking to become BASES accredited – depending on timing, I am in a position to supervise you for BASES supervised experience and accredited status, providing you have the correct postgraduate qualification and access to your own clients (for confidentiality reasons). Please contact louise@louiseellis.com
Louise Ellis
BASES Accredited Sports Psychologist
