Overview

This online workshop is designed to deepen the understanding and practice of self-care among Sport Psychology Practitioners (SPPs), highlighting its critical role in maintaining ethical and competent service delivery. While self-care has long been acknowledged in general counseling psychology, its specific importance for SPPs has only recently begun to receive focused academic attention. This session aims to bridge that gap, drawing on recent scholarship and practical applications in the field. 

The importance of self-care for promoting both personal and professional well-being cannot be overstated. Studies such as those by Barnett et al. (2007) and Dorociak et al. (2017) have demonstrated that self-care is essential not only for the personal health of practitioners but also for the quality of care they provide, helping them to reach their fullest potential. Despite this, the specific challenges faced by SPPs in their professional environments have been somewhat underexplored until recently (Quartiroli et al., 2019; 2021).

This online workshop, therefore, is crafted to support SPPs at all stages of their careers—from trainees to seasoned professionals. Through a mix of reflective activities and interactive discussions, participants will explore the latest research and will be encouraged to start their own journey to develop self-care practices.

The workshop content is heavily influenced by the presenter's experience in applied practice and academic research, including leading previous workshops and engaging with diverse groups of SPPs.

The session will cover several key areas:
1. Understanding Self-Care: Defining self-care in the context of sport psychology and discussing its multiple dimensions and benefits.
2. Challenges and Stressors: Identifying common challenges and stressors specific to SPPs and discussing strategies to manage and mitigate these effectively through self-care.
3. Practical Application: Engaging in activities that help participants conceptualize, develop, and commit to personalized self-care plans.
4. Reflection and Growth: Facilitating deep personal reflection and group discussions to enhance understanding and commitment to ongoing self-care practices.

This approach is not only about imparting knowledge but also fostering a supportive community among participants, encouraging the sharing of experiences and strategies. The interactive nature of the online workshop ensures that every participant, regardless of their stage in the professional journey, can find value and feel empowered to enhance their practice and well-being.

This online workshop aligns with the growing recognition of the need for Continued Education (CE) in self-care practices, as highlighted by recent research indicating a gap in CE engagement among SPPs. By addressing this gap, the workshop supports the professional development of SPPs, ensuring they remain competent and ethical in their practice while promoting their personal and professional flourishing.

In summary, this workshop offers a comprehensive, reflective, and practical approach to self-care tailored specifically for sport psychology professionals. It is designed to be a starting point for a lifelong engagement with self-care, essential for the sustainability of a healthy, ethical, and effective practice in sport psychology.
 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, attendees will not have ready-made solutions but will be equipped with a set of reflective questions and a framework to guide their ongoing self-care journey. This is essential for maintaining a sustainable practice that not only meets ethical standards but also supports the personal well-being of the practitioners, enabling them to deliver the highest quality of service.

1. Understanding the Role of Positive Virtue Ethics in Developing an Ethical Sport Psychology Service
Delivery Practice This segment focuses on integrating positive virtue ethics into daily professional practice. Participants will explore how engaging in self-care is a cardinal element of an approach to practice grounded in positive virtue ethics and how such engagement can lead to more sustainable and long-lasting careers.

2. Self-exploration as a Way to Sustainable Practice
In this part of the workshop, attendees will be encouraged to reflect on their own journeys. In this part of the online workshop, participants will be encouraged to engage in a few activities aimed at offering them the opportunity to engage with their own stories and develop a deeper understanding of the pillars of their own life and professional development.

4. Self-care Plan as the 'Guidebook' to Practice
The self-care plan is conceptualized as a foundational tool, akin to a guidebook, for maintaining an effective and ethical practice. Participants will be offered the opportunity, through reflective activities, to identify the main elements necessary to create and customize their own self-care plans.

5. Exploration of How to Implement the Self-care Plan
To conclude, participants will be encouraged to reflect and share with the group how this plan may fit in their journeys and start exploring strategies to implement their self-care plan as the main pillar of their sport psychology practice.
 

Presenter(s)

Professor Alessandro (Ale) Quartiroli, Ph.D CMPC, FAASP, AASP Mentor, NCC, USOPC Sport Psychology Registry, BPS CPsychol, AFBPsS , RAPPS, HCPC (Sport and Exercise Psychology & Counseling Psychology)

About the presenter(s)

I currently serve as a Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (US) and a Visiting Professor at the University of Portsmouth (UK). As a transnational scientist-practitioner born in Italy, my academic and applied training spans Italy, Spain, and the US. Academically, my professional interests focus on the development and support of practitioners in their careers, aiming to enhance their professional identity, competence, and ethical practice. I am deeply committed to improving the practitioner experience and promoting effective service delivery in diverse performance domains, including athletics, esports, and performing arts. Besides my academic work, I engage in applied practice with performers across domains and contexts and in the supervision of geographically dispersed trainees. Currently, I am a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, approved mentor, and Fellow of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology in the US. In the UK, I am registered as a Sport and Exercise and Counseling Practicing Psychologist with the HCPC, as well as a Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow, and an approved supervisor with the BPS. Finally, I am a registered practitioner and supervisor with the International Society of Sport Psychology. I believe in the value of professional organizations, and for this reason, I am heavily involved in multiple international organizations currently serving in the ISSP Managing Council. Outside work, you can find me spending time with my girls, Ara and Maral, and my partner, Sheyda, listening to and dancing to a wide range of international music (does not mean I am good at it!). You may also find me playing FIFA and other games on PS4, reading the news, and learning new recipes. My motto: HAKUNA MATATA.