Sport & Exercise Psychology Professional Doctorate Portfolio

This portfolio provides an insight into the development of a trainee sport and exercise psychologist from January 2018 – March 2021 during the professional doctorate in sport and exercise psychology at Liverpool John Moores University. The portfolio provides evidence, through a combination of consultancy, research, and reflective practice, of how the trainee successfully meets the competencies (professional standards, consultancy, research, and dissemination) documented in the British Psychological Society's (BPS) Stage 2 programme accreditation criteria and the Health and Care Professions Council Standards for approved programmes in Sport and Exercise Psychology. The practice log tracks the trainee’s work and experiences over this three year period. The reflective practice diary provides a window into her professional development by zooming into critical events as well as providing meta reflections on key topics and experiences to help tell a story about her journey. For example, highlighting struggles with confidence and imposter syndrome, key learning experiences within consultancy, and her evolving professional philosophy. The three applied case studies evidence the trainee’s development as a practitioner through her evolving use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and the use of Needs Supportive Communication (NSC) as she strove to become more client-let to suit the client’s needs. The teaching case study explores the trainee’s experience working within a new context and developing series of workshops in line with her professional philosophy and the needs of the client. The two empirical papers and the systematic review highlight the trainee’s focus on bridging research and applied practice. Here, the trainee has explored the use of NSC within exercise referral practitioners, the use of Think Aloud as a reflective development tool for football coaches, and the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction and performance in athletes