Best Practices in Consulting (BPC)

Mission Statement

The Best Practices in Consulting (BPC) initiative offers practitioners of all levels the opportunity to further their professional development with resources on effective, evidence-based, and ethical practice. 

Objectives

• To offer important considerations relative to new or emerging topics in sport psychology consulting
• To share advice from experienced practitioners on best practices in consulting
• To share learning experiences from new practitioners
• To provide resources for delivery of mental skills training
• To provide resources to aid the expansion and dissemination of knowledge to facilitate applied practice

BPC Projects

• Lessons Learned from Legends in Sport Psychology: Just getting started in your career? Read insights from experienced practitioners in the sport and exercise psychology arena for their advice on breaking into this field.

How to Get Involved as a Consultant

• Get a Graduate Degree
  • Search AASP's Directory of Graduate Programs in Sport Psychology
• Become Certified
  • Apply to Become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC)
• Find a Mentor
  • AASP's Mentorship Match Program (MMP) for Students
  • Registry of Approved Mentors for Professionals applying for certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC)
• Continue Your Education
  • Learn More About AASP's Annual Conference
• Review AASP's Code of Ethics
  • Code of Ethical Principles & Standards in Sport Psychology

Recommended Readings

Coté, J., Saimela, J., Trudel, P., Baria, A., & Russell, S. (1995). The Coaching Model: A Grounded Assessment of Expert Gymnastic Coaches’ Knowledge. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(1), 1-17.

Gentner, N. B., Fisher, L. A., & Wrisberg, G. A. (2004). Athletes' and Coaches' Perceptions of Sport Psychology Services Offered by Graduate Students at One NCAA Division I University. Psychological Reports, 94, 213-216.

Giges, B. (2013). On Becoming a Sport Psych Practitioner. Becoming a Sport Psychologist, 9-18.

Giges, B., & Petitpas, A. (2000). Brief Contact Interventions in Sport Psychology. The Sport Psychologist, 14(2), 176-187.

Lubker, J. R., Visek, A. J., Geer, J. R., & Watson II, J. C. (2008). Characteristics of an Effective Sport Psychology Consultant: Perspectives from Athletes and Consultants. Journal of Sport Behavior, 31(2), 147.

Martin, S. B., Akers, A., Jackson, A. W., Wrisberg, C. A., Nelson, L., Leslie, P. J., & Leidig, L. (2001). Male and Female Athletes' and Nonathletes' Expectations About Sport Psychology Consulting. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 13(1), 18-39.

Petitpas, A. J., Giges, B., & Danish, S. J. (1999). The Sport Psychologist-Athlete Relationship: Implications for Training. The Sport Psychologist, 13(3), 344-357.

Ravizza, K. (1988). Gaining Entry with Athletic Personnel for Season-Long Consulting. The Sport Psychologist, 2, 243-254.