Sports Psychology Discoveries

Dr. John F. Murray shares the latest in sports psychology research and practice and gives his expert interpretation on how this can help.

The Clinical Side of Psychology

Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording individuals as they relate to one another and to their environments. Psychologists look seriously at thoughts, emotions, feelings, and behavior. They gather info and measure behavior through controlled laboratory experiments or field studies, and they use their findings in psychotherapy. Clinical psychologists may also assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and activity disorders. Issues range from emotional upset to short-term personal problems to more chronic conditions.

Clinical psychologists are trained to use a range of approaches to assist individuals. Although these methods differ by specialty, clinical psychologists usually interview patients, provide diagnostic tests, and supply individual, family, or group psychotherapy. These health professionals aim to provide the most effective treatment for patients and to avoid having to refer out for medication if possible. However, a variety of states allow clinical psychologists to provide visit medication with additional training. In this day and age, those trained in counseling psychology do very much the same kind of work.

Through counseling, psychologists help spot thier clients’ strengths or resources to better manage problems. Forensic psychologists use psychological principles within the legal and criminal justice system to assist judges, attorneys, and different legal specialists perceive the psychological aspects of a specific case. 

An Example of Sports Psychology at the UndergraduatE LEVEL OF COLLEGE

Olivet College is one of the schools currently offering an Associate in Nursing to undergrads majoring in sports psychological science. Sport psychology provides students with the activity knowledge, understanding and skills to reinforce the physical and mental performance of those involved in recreation, fitness/exercise and sports settings. With this major, students receive intensive teaching in sport and exercise science, and also take psychology courses. By understanding the psychology of human movement, students specialize within the context of sport and exercise performance and ways for achieving peak performance. This major is useful for those seeking careers in coaching, sport management, life skills programming and physical rehabilitation.

Students are also encouraged to do rotations with patients in hospital wellness or rehabilitation programs, supporting them as they recover from sports-related injuries. The program aims to help students prepare for graduate studies in sport psychology, sport sociology, sport management or counseling.
 

DR. JOHN F. MURRAY’S TAKE:  INCLUDED TODAY WAS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WHAT A PSYCHOLOGIST OFFERS, BUT KEEP IN KIND THAT A LEGITIMATE SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST WILL ALSO OFFER MORE SPORTS SPECIFIC MENTAL TRAINING OR MENTAL COACHING. FINALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING TO INCLUDE A BLURB ABOUT A RARE COLLEGE THAT IS TEACHING SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY AT THE UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL! WE NEED MORE OF THAT IN THE FUTURE. LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT THIS FASCINATING FIELD CAN OFFER! SEE ALL THE EXCITING UPDATES AT MY MAIN PAGE AT JOHNFMURRAY.COM AND THE DEVELOPING NEW SITE AT SPORTSPSYCHOLOGY.COM.

 

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