The Good Athlete

New on the blog: Cultural Sensitivity in Sport Psychology — an essential guide for practitioners working in diverse sporting environments. Explore practical strategies to improve cultural competence, address identity and activism in athletes, and create more inclusive coaching spaces. Read more: https://wix.to/vA98meS

Cultural Sensitivity in Sport Psychology: The Essential Guide for Practitioners Contemporary discussions surrounding self-identity, gender expression, and athlete activism present us with renewed challenges to examine cultural sensitivity in sport psychology with scholarly commitment [10]. We find ourselves practising within an increasingly diverse sporting landscape where cult...

How does comparing ourselves to others shape performance, wellbeing and identity? In “Social Comparison Theory,” Dr Paul McCarthy uses a rugby player’s locker-room moment to explore how upward and downward comparisons influence motivation, self-evaluation and mental health. Read the full piece to learn practical takeaways for athletes, professionals and everyday life: https://wix.to/afAH76h

Social Comparison Theory We explore the foundational principles of social comparison theory and its applications across various contexts, with particular attention paid to how individuals evaluate themselves against others and the consequences for wellbeing and performance in contemporary environments.Understanding the foun...

New on the blog: How to Create a Sport Psychology Contract for Football Clubs — a practical, step‑by‑step guide covering EPPP compliance, ethical boundaries, and sustainable delivery models. Ideal for club directors, performance staff, and sport psychologists looking to formalise services and protect players and practitioners. Read the full guide: https://wix.to/riNw3QX

How to Create a Sport Psychology Contract for Football Clubs: A Step-by-Step Guide We present a practical framework for establishing professional sport psychology contracts within football organizations, with particular attention to EPPP compliance, ethical boundaries, and sustainable service delivery models. We shall examine contract structures that serve both practitioners and c...

Discover how to deliver effective virtual sport psychology services with our comprehensive guide. Learn best practices for building rapport online, adapting interventions, managing confidentiality, and using technology to expand access and support athletes at every level. Read more: https://wix.to/pndohpF

Online Sport Psychology: The Essential Guide to Delivering Effective Virtual Services Athletes across performance levels seek sport psychology support, yet accessing services often presents challenges related to location, availability, and cost [5]. We face a professional landscape where traditional service delivery models meet evolving client needs and technological possibilities. T...

Building trust with remote clients is more than video calls — it’s consistency, clarity and care. Read my step-by-step guide to practical strategies you can implement today: https://wix.to/WJiPsMX

Key takeaways: set clear expectations, use structured onboarding, maintain regular touchpoints, and demonstrate reliability. Share if you work remotely or manage remote clients — what’s your biggest trust challenge?

How to Build Customer Trust in Remote Client Relationships: A Step-by-Step Guide Remote work presents practitioners with a fundamental challenge that extends far beyond technological adaptation. When 78% of CEOs confirm this working arrangement remains permanent [5], and 43% of employees now operate remotely at least part-time [5], we face a professional landscape where traditio...

Struggling to set retainership fees for sport psychology? Discover a practical framework that balances value for athletes with sustainable income for consultants. Learn how to price ongoing relationships, structure packages, and communicate value clearly. Read the full guide: https://wix.to/CF2ncZX

How to Set Retainership Fees for Sport Psychology: A Practical Guide for Consultants Athletes who commit to sport psychology retainers may experience performance improvements of up to 40% [2], yet many of us as practitioners struggle to establish appropriate fee structures for our services. The challenge extends beyond calculating hourly rates; we need to understand retainership as....

Discover how mental skills shape performance on the pitch. Read 'Psychology in Football' by Dr Paul McCarthy — insights on focus, decision-making, confidence, and team dynamics for players and coaches. Read more: https://wix.to/Zbg5PRk

Psychology in Football Understanding Football PsychologyFootball psychology represents the systematic study of mental processes, behaviours, and experiences that shape how players perform, learn, and develop within the sport [1]. This interdisciplinary field draws from biomechanics, physiology, kinesiology, and psychology...

New on the blog: How Golf and Psychology Work Together — Using CBT to Beat Course Anxiety. Learn practical cognitive-behavioral strategies to turn first-tee nerves into focused performance and enjoy your game more. Read the full post: https://wix.to/XiMoNmE

How Golf and Psychology Work Together: Using CBT to Beat Course Anxiety Tour professionals often speak about wanting first tee nerves; they understand these feelings as signals that sharpen focus and heighten awareness for peak performance. Yet for many golfers we work with, anxiety transforms these natural responses from helpful arousal into performance-disrupting tens...

New blog: How to Conduct Virtual Assessments in Sport Psychology — a step-by-step guide for practitioners. Learn practical setup tips, assessment priorities for that crucial first session, and strategies to build rapport and accurate evaluation remotely. Read the full guide: https://wix.to/JdCcC8n

How to Conduct Virtual Assessments in Sport Psychology: A Step-by-Step Guide Practitioners rate the first session importance at 9.42 out of 10 for determining whether athletes continue therapy [6]. Yet conducting effective virtual assessments in sport psychology presents unique challenges that can make or break this critical first encounter. Assessment before service deliver...

New on the blog: Unconditional Positive Regard — a deep look at the therapeutic stance that shapes stronger client relationships and better outcomes. Discover practical ways to embody this way of being with clients and why it matters for lasting change. Read more: https://wix.to/X2el5dP

Unconditional Positive Regard The quality of the therapeutic relationship forms the bedrock upon which effective practice rests, yet one of its most fundamental components remains among the most challenging to embody consistently. Unconditional positive regard represents more than a technique or intervention; it embodies a way o...