Sports Psychologist help in enhancing the performance of athletes in sports. They may function as trainers, consultants, or therapists. Sports psychologist helps the athletes in overcoming eating disorders. They help the athletes, coaches and sports team; mentally prepare for matches, races and other competitions. Sports psychologist also help the athletes in overcoming depression, anxiety, stress, lack of confidence and any sports injury. He provides counselling and guidance to the athlete which greatly benefits them.
Sports Psychologist also promotes the psychological advantages of exercise among people like in public institutions, prison and hospitals. They are also invited to the companies to give seminars to the employees regarding the advantages of exercise, methods of improving mental and physical health and also tell how to implement them in real life.
Educational Qualification
To become a sports psychologist one requires masters or doctorate degree in sports psychology.
Age limits
There is no restriction with regard to the age of the candidate if he or she wants to be a Sports Psychologist.
To become a successful Sports Psychologist the aspiring candidates need the following skills:
To become a Sports Psychologist the aspiring candidates have to follow the given steps:
Step 1
After completing 12th class from any stream, the candidate needs to earn a bachelor degree in Sports Psychology from an accredited college. Aspiring candidates may have to take some entrance exam to enter a reputed college to get a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Psychology. However, some institutes provide admission on the basis of marks in qualifying exams.
Step 2
After a bachelor degree in sports psychology, the aspiring candidate can go for a master degree in Sports Psychology to get specialization in the field.
Step 3
After getting Master’s degree in Sports Psychology one can join some organization as a trainee/Assistant Sports Psychologist or go for a Doctorate Degree in sports psychology.
Note: Candidate needs to hold a certificate in Sports psychology from the Association for Applied Sports Psychology (AASP).
A Sports Psychologist is responsible for accessing their client’s individual needs. They also maintain records of performance, so as to track the progress level of an athlete and their other clients. Sports psychologists may be researchers as well as service providers. Sports psychologists have a major impact on the performance of an athlete. A sports psychologist performs the following activities:
The salary for a sports psychologist ranges from Rs.30,000 to Rs.40,000 per month. But after a few years experience under his belt, a Sports Psychologist can expect anything between Rs.50,000 to Rs.2,00,000 per month.