Recently, one of our performance psychologists had an email conversation with the manager of a sporting team in which he (our guy) questioned the logic of using someone with no formal training as their mental coach. The manager made a point that suggested such credentials might be overrated stating that anyone could do goal setting. Here is the reply:
“You’re right with the goal setting stuff; my grandmother could present it too, but the issue is would you want her to? The role of head coach and strength and conditioner and so on, is normally well defined, but the role of sport or performance psychologist is usually not defined at all. Hence, the calibre of person you are looking for to deliver psychological skills to your athletes, if you are looking to compete at the highest level, would not be my grandmother.”
Thoughts?