What is Sport and Performance Psychology?
Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP) has been defined in a variety of ways as the field has grown and adapted. The definition I most associate with is from the American Psychological Association which says "SPP focuses on identifying and applying psychological principles that facilitate peak sports performance, enhance people's participation in physical activities and help athletes achieve optimal human performance." An important aspect of this definition is the "human performance" meaning that this field branches outside of athletics. We as humans perform in all aspects of our lives and could apply the principles within SPP to first responders, parenting, coaching, nursing, or employee performance.
In addition to the definition above, my own interpretation of SPP puts value on the mental health of the client. Either by helping them through experiences and traumas within my scope of practice or by aiding them in finding the help that they need. No athlete should be expected to perform at peak performance while enduring mental health struggles.
What is a certified mental performance consultant
The Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) describes the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) as follows:
"AASP, the leader in serving the needs of sport and performance psychology professionals, developed the CMPC credential to recognize the specialized knowledge and skill that athletes and performers at all levels demand. The certification demonstrates to clients, employers, colleagues, and the public at large that an individual with a master’s or doctoral degree in sport science, psychology or a closely related field has met the highest standards of professional practice, including completing a combination of educational and work requirements, successfully passing a certification exam, agreeing to adhere to ethical principles and standards, and committing to ongoing professional development. CMPCs work with individuals of all ages and across a variety of performance contexts, including:
• Sport (athletes and coaches)
• Exercise (all activity levels)
• Tactical (military, firefighters, police)
• Performing Arts (dancers and musicians)
• Business (executives)"
"The only nationally accredited certification for mental performance professionals in the United States and Canada, CMPCs are recognized for their expertise and ethical practice to help performers reduce performance anxiety, improve concentration and communication, build confidence, set goals, and more."
For more information, please visit https://appliedsportpsych.org/certification/