The Use of Counseling Principles and Skills to Develop Practitioner-Athlete Relationships by Practitioners Who Provide Sport Psychology Support

Abstract

1This study examined how practitioners who provide sport psychology support use 2 counselling principles and skills to develop practitioner-athlete relationships. Semi-structured 3 interviews were conducted with thirteen competent practitioners (Mean age = 41.2 ± 10.9 4 years old, five men, eight women). Thematic analysis revealed that the participants used a 5 range of counselling principles to develop practitioner-athlete relationships including: the 6 facilitative conditions, self-disclosure, counselling skills, the formation of working alliances, 7 and awareness of the unreal relationship. The participants also described using non-8 counselling strategies (e.g., gaining an understanding of the athlete's sporting environment) 9 to build relationships with their athletes. There was considerable variation between the 10 participants both in the training that they had received in counselling principles and skills, 11 and how they applied them. It was concluded that counselling principles and skills play a 12 significant role in the development of practitioner-athlete relationships.

A Preliminary Investigation into the Use of Humor in Sport Psychology Practice

“…The results also support and extend existing sport psychology research (i.e., Longstaff & Gervis, 2016) which indicated that humor is a pervasive 'non-counselling' strategy used to develop and maintain the working/real alliance. Although Longstaff and Gervis (2016) did not elucidate on this strategy researchers in other contexts have previously advocated the use of humor for such purposes.…”

“…A preliminary investigation into the use of humor in sport psychology practice HUMOR AND SPORT PSYCHOLOGY CONSULTANCY 2 In clinical and counseling psychology interpersonal (practitioner-client) behaviors have been acknowledged as impacting positively, on client change, via the impact on the therapeutic alliance and the real relationship (Sexton & Whiston, 1994;Norcross & Lambert, 2011). Although the working alliance and real relationship in sport psychology have also been highlighted as important (e.g., Katz & Hemmings, 2009;Sharp, Hodge, & Danish, 2015) to intervention outcome (Petitpas, Giges, & Danish, 1999) there is relatively little associated research (Longstaff & Gervis, 2016;Tod & Andersen, 2012). Petitpas et al (1999) highlighted that few studies have explored service delivery in depth.…”

“…During a study investigating the self-practice of sport psychologists one participant described (unreported data) having attended humor workshops to facilitate their work with clients (Pack et al, 2014). In addition, Longstaff and Gervis (2016) noted that practitioners sometimes used humor to facilitate the practitioner-athlete relationship. Alongside such research is an increasing evidence-base suggesting that practitioners' personal qualities (e.g., being authentic and genuine to self, being comfortable to be around, seeing 'behind' the athlete and 'getting through' to them, and being involved in 'banter') and contributions (e.g., self-referent responses, and dispelling HUMOR AND SPORT PSYCHOLOGY CONSULTANCY 4 client myths relating to sport psychology) to the professional and affective bonds within consultancy are crucial (Sharp et al, 2015).…”

Sport Psychology Consultants’ Reflections on the Role of Humor: “It’s Like Having Another Skill in Your Arsenal”

“…However, the current participants used both humor styles in a positive manner. Gelso and Carter (1994) have suggested that the real relationship is the most essential element of brief therapy work, and recent research in sport (e.g., Longstaff & Gervis, 2016;Sharp et al, 2015) supports this suggestion. Gelso (2002) also argued that client-consultant relationships characterized by high levels of genuineness are likely to be most effective.…”

“…In clinical psychology, it has been argued that the client-therapist relationship accounts for a large variance in client outcome compared to expectancy effects and therapeutic techniques (Lambert & Barley, 2001). Similarly in sport psychology, a general consensus exists that successful consultancy outcomes are influenced by the clientconsultant relationship (e.g., Longstaff & Gervis, 2016;Petitpas, Giges, & Danish, 1999;Sharp, Hodge, & Danish, 2015). For example, the working alliance (i.e., the agreement between the client and the consultant regarding shared goals, tasks, and emotional bonds; Bordin, 1979) has been suggested as an important determinant of successful consultancy outcomes.…”