MEET YOUR
PERFORMANCE
PortfoliO
Artifacts & Theoretical Orientation
I have always been driven to understand how things work. The Applied Sports Performance Psychology program has given me the insights and tools that help individuals thrive in their personal and professional performance and the "how" excellence occurs.
I here leave my Sport and Performance Psychology Coaching and Philosophy Statement and then the selected artifacts stating the work throughout the completion of the program.
SPP Coaching and Philosophy Statement
PLO #1: THE SCIENTIST-PRACTITIONER
EvaluatIon of the predominant theories and emergent trends within the discipline of Sport and Performance Psychology
The first program learning outcome (PLO) addresses the scientist-practitioner. Standing by the Association for Applied Sports Psychology, sports and performance consultants are scientist-practitioners who are required to have a certain level of experience, background, and competence in applied sports psychology to provide proper service. Therefore, having a critical understanding of research and its uses is vital for competent work.
The artifacts chosen exemplify the process of the scientist-practitioner, as the article review shows the process of research consumption, and the Applied Sport Psychology final exam shows how the research is put into practice. These artifacts express the learning outcomes of mental skills and a fundamental understanding of when and how these mental skills can be applied to promote benefits in performance. The series of case studies share how mental skills training can be applied to achieve different outcomes such as confidence, self-efficacy, concentration, flow, an consistency that lead to achieving goals.
As a tennis player and coach, learning mental skills training helped in both my personal and professional performance. I began to perform better and to share the skills and components of the sport better with others. Nonetheless, as beneficial it can be, sometimes delivering these insights to others and apply this work may not come easy. The "craft" of service delivery in mental skills training may be the most underdeveloped skill I have, as it is only built with practice and experience.
As I transition the steps of becoming a mentee and beginning this work, I look forward to "crafting" my approach to mental skills training. These artifacts can capture a glimpse of the work of a consultant in the role of a scientist-practitioner.
Therefore, it is paramount to mention that the sport and performance consultant's success lies in the skills to communicate with the client, to identify key elements that are interfering with the client's needs, and to pick the intervention that best fits the client.
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Artifact #1
REFLECTIONS & ARTIFACTS
COUN6215 Applied Sport Psychology - Case Study Final
Artifact #2
COUN6550 Sport Psychology - Research Paper
PLO #2: Ethics In Counseling
Distinguish between various ethical codes within the mental health counseling and performance consulting professions and the rationale for disparities among them.
REFLECTIONS & ARTIFACTS
The second program learning outcome discusses ethics in counseling. It is honest to goodness to think that a sports and performance consultant can only help an individual. However, the consultant-client relationship can produce a number of ethical implications that, if not handled properly, can actually harm the client. For these reasons, Applied Sports and Performance Psychology students are educated under the Association for Applied Sports and Performance Psychology (AASP) Code of Ethics.
The importance of these artifacts lies in the student's ability to identify ethical dilemmas as well as apply the resources provided to reason through any ethical dilemmas. First and foremost, the practitioner adheres to the general principles of the AASP code of ethics: competence, integrity, professional and scientific responsibility, respect for people’s rights and dignity, concern for others' welfare, and social responsibility. Upon those pillars, a practitioner may encounter some typical dilemmas, like boundaries of competence, misuse of work, multiple relationships, and maintaining confidentiality, among others.
The learning outcomes from these projects not only share the professionalism an individual completing these programs attains but also serve as guidance for the best steps to take to maintain such professionalism in their work. The Ethical Case Analysis provides an example of how certain situations may exhibit possible ethical dilemmas, and the Professional Development Plan helps the student organize the steps to follow in their professional pursuit, considering again the pillars to which a practitioner adheres.
At a personal and professional level, the ethical case analysis helped me understand the limits of competence and boundaries of a sports and performance consultant's services. Throughout the completion of the program, I visited and revisited the ethical codes to ensure the work done would be ethically correct. In regards to my personal development plan, it is now coming to great value as it shows the path I embark by finishing this program. There is a major change in it since I am not only working with high-performance tennis players but also coaching tennis to individuals and groups of all ages, genders, and levels. Nonetheless, completing the mentorship work toward the Certification of Mental Performance Consultant continues to be the plan.
With greater knowledge comes greater responsibilities. I am aware of the knowledge this program has provide and the responsibility to comply with AASP and the ethical codes.
Artifact #1
Artifact #2
COUN6101 Ethics and Professional Identity – Ethical Case Analysis
COUN6101 Ethics and Professional Identity – Professional Development Plan
PLO #3: Theoretical Orientation
Demonstration, through presentation and in writing, the development of a professional consulting philosophy integrating psychology, sport science, and counseling.
REFLECTIONS & ARTIFACTS
The third program learning outcome may be the most relevant of the learning outcomes. Here, it discusses the students' Theoretical Orientation of Performance Excellence (TOPE) and the Mental Skills Training Curriculum (MSTc). These are two of four artifacts chosen for this module. The artifacts left aside consist of developmental case analysis in which clinical psychology learnings were taken into consideration. Even though it is essential for the SPP consultants to be competent in the knowledge of individual development, it is used as a practitioner and not as a licensed clinician for reasons for referral rather than for treatment.
The TOPE and MTSc are two of the most important works of the program. This recognition comes as the TOPE summarises what a client may encounter when working with the aspiring practitioner. It is the practitioners' playbook and journal on how to consult and deliver their services. Similarly, the MTSc provides the tools to apply in the practitioners' work.
These artifacts had several updates, such as where projects were done in sections. Suitably, the update for both artifacts included the Self-Determination Theory (SDT). One of the most relevant theories in Sports and Performance Psychology is its perspective on intrinsic motivation and well-being. Interestingly enough, the SDT has become one of the key pillar theories that can help in the understanding of a client's issues and resolutions. These artifacts express the key elements of an SPP practitioner and their work.
At a personal level, the artifacts of this PLO play a vital role in the conceptualization of all the learnings this program has provided. The review of this work provides pride and accomplishment.
Artifact #1
COUN6110 Personality and Counseling Theories – Theoretical Orientation
Artifact #2
COUN6230 - Mental Skills Training Curriculum
PLO #4: Multiculturalism in Sport Psychology practice
Develop culturally responsive consulting strategies based upon the relationships, issues, and trends within a multicultural society.
REFLECTIONS & ARTIFACTS
Program learning outcome number four addresses two distinct aspects that a SPP practitioner may encounter in the field. First, the fact that in a world that has become globalized, the consultant practice involves working with individuals with different backgrounds. The second aspect is how sports may act as a space for cultural formation.
As mentioned in the first PLO, a practitioner's competence may not only lie in their ability to understand theories or have a plan but also in their connection with the client. Sometimes, the practitioner faces barriers, and one of these barriers can be a multicultural one. Every individual has their own story. Many times, the individual wants to be understood, and if the consultant is not able to relate or understand the individual issues, it may conflict with the consultant-client relationship and their work. The Clinical Application Paper provides insight into the biases one student can come across when working with individuals of different cultural backgrounds, emphasizing theories and models, the role of power and privilege, microagressions, and racism, among other relevant concepts to be aware of when working in a multicultural world.
The second artifact, the documentary film analysis, provides insights into how one should also focus on the individual sports culture. Different sports have their standards of professionalism, routines, and even how they communicate with their competitors. Some rugby teams perform a dance in front of their opponents before their match, and after the match, they may share a dinner. Boxers have a presentation before their match where they face each other, which many times finishes on one intimidating another.
These are some examples of certain cultures of the sport that may not be part of the individual's personal background but that the sport gives. These artifacts come to high relevance as understanding the client and their needs is the core of the practitioner's work. It is key for the practitioner to become aware of their own personal cultural background and the client one, to be able to apply their TOPE or MTSc.
On a personal level, the artifacts of this PLO help me remember that everyone has a story and have helped shape a more humble and sympathetic eye.
Artifact #1
COUN 6150 Multicultural Counseling and Advocacy – Clinical Application Paper
Artifact #2
COUN 6155 Sport in Society – Documentary Film Analysis
PLO #5: Intervention Design and Evaluation
Create performance enhancement interventions incorporating various research-supported techniques to enhance performance and improve overall wellness.
REFLECTIONS & ARTIFACTS
This program's learning outcome reviews the ability of the student to apply their knowledge through case evaluation and intervention design. This artifact may be one of the one methodological works done in the program. It requires a thorough understanding of individuals' backgrounds and current state of mind. It demands clinical work by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to become aware that sometimes the client in need may also be suitable for a referral to a clinician. Nonetheless, this artifact gives the opportunity to aspiring sports and performance practitioners to apply some of their knowledge to possible interventions that could be introduced to the client.
This artifact may be one of the most advanced and complex of the work done in the program as it addresses the delicate work of identified mental disorders that may be interfering with an individual's areas of functioning. It provides the responsible outlook the SPP consultant has when working with clients. It offers insight into what a consultant has to be aware of when attempting to intervene and apply their work.
This artifact may have been the most challenging yet one of the most inspirational. Before starting this program, I did not expect I would be much clinical work. While completing my undergrad in psychology, I had this idea that diagnosing was to "label" an individual for a broken matter. Once graduated, I did not want to go on the route of diagnosing but on performance. Long story short, this artifact helped me see the importance of knowing about the DSM-5 and how to use it as well as all the theories of psychotherapies, as when working with people we may encounter them at sometimes difficult times that may need some extra "TLC", which I would have to then be able to recognize and refer.
Artifact
COUN6145 Psychopathology and Appraisal – Basic Treatment Plan