Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this research was to gain an insight into UK trainee sport psychologists' (TSP) and experienced sport pyschologists' (ESP) perspectives of their professional development by drawing on a counsellor development framework (Rønnestadt & Skovholt, 2012).
Design
A longitudinal qualitative design using semi-structured interviews (Study I) and a multi-interview qualitative design (Study II).
Methods
Nine UK TSPs enrolled on the British Psychological Society (BPS), Stage 2 Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (QSEP) participated in Study I. TSPs participated in three individual interviews regarding their professional development during the first 2 years of training. Five UK BPS-chartered ESPs with a minimum of 15 years consulting experience participated in Study II. ESPs took part in two separate interviews regarding their professional development. Study I themes were developed using an abductive thematic content analysis to interpret TSPs' perspectives about their development. We examined Study II data through the lens of the themes generated from Study I.
Results
Participants' development reflected factors that underlie the process of individuation, such as personal interactions with peers and a broadening of influences outside of training (e.g., personal therapy, life experiences). Participants perceived professional development in sport psychology as intermittent and cyclical due to their varied work responsibilities.
Conclusion
Individuation represents a dynamic ongoing process where practitioners attempt to understand better, who they are and the influence they have on service delivery. Individuation can be a deliberate process that can assist practitioners in realising professional satisfaction and meaning.
The purpose of this research was to gain an insight into UK trainee sport psychologists' (TSP) and experienced sport pyschologists' (ESP) perspectives of their professional development by drawing on a counsellor development framework (Rønnestadt & Skovholt, 2012).
Design
A longitudinal qualitative design using semi-structured interviews (Study I) and a multi-interview qualitative design (Study II).
Methods
Nine UK TSPs enrolled on the British Psychological Society (BPS), Stage 2 Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (QSEP) participated in Study I. TSPs participated in three individual interviews regarding their professional development during the first 2 years of training. Five UK BPS-chartered ESPs with a minimum of 15 years consulting experience participated in Study II. ESPs took part in two separate interviews regarding their professional development. Study I themes were developed using an abductive thematic content analysis to interpret TSPs' perspectives about their development. We examined Study II data through the lens of the themes generated from Study I.
Results
Participants' development reflected factors that underlie the process of individuation, such as personal interactions with peers and a broadening of influences outside of training (e.g., personal therapy, life experiences). Participants perceived professional development in sport psychology as intermittent and cyclical due to their varied work responsibilities.
Conclusion
Individuation represents a dynamic ongoing process where practitioners attempt to understand better, who they are and the influence they have on service delivery. Individuation can be a deliberate process that can assist practitioners in realising professional satisfaction and meaning.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 101542 |
| Journal | Psychology of Sport and Exercise |
| Volume | 45 |
| Early online date | 25 May 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Nov 2019 |
Keywords
- training
- professional development
- individuation
- service delivery
