Navigating sub-clinical sport psychology as a trainee: A case study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in elite youth athletics

Abstract

The current case reports the service delivery experiences of a trainee practitioner working within elite youth athletics, while discussing the experiences and challenges associated with encountering clinical issues and appropriate referral for the first time. Alongside ongoing clinical support, this case warranted ongoing sport psychology service delivery, during which the trainee adopted an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach. Interventions were focused towards the promotion of openness to experience and the identification of values-driven behaviours for sport. Service effectiveness was evaluated by using a multimodal method alongside other professionals in a multidisciplinary support team. Reflections on the service delivery highlight the potentially beneficial and maleficent impact that practitioner beliefs and values may have, as well as some issues regarding role clarity, education, and preparedness for sport psychology trainees encountering clinical issues for the first time.