Professional doctorate in sport and exercise psychology

ABSTRACT

The present portfolio gives account of the research and applied experiences of a Professional Doctorate Candidate at Liverpool John Moores University. Contained within are a range of research and applied works that aim to inform and develop the sport and exercise psychology field. In parallel, the portfolio encompasses the professional development of the primary author as a trainee sport psychologist, and their journey to individuation (McEwan et al., 2019).The portfolio contains three applied case studies and one teaching case study. The consultancy case studies demonstrate a wide range of psychological interventions from a variety of psychological schools. The first case study concerns an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention that is rooted in the school of cognitive behavioural psychology. The second is an existential approach to the consultancy that centres around the subjective lived experience of the client. These case studies contain unique outcomes that aim to provide informative and thoughtful implications for both the discipline of sport psychology and sport psychology practitioners. Within the present portfolio is a meta-study that aims to both develop and broaden the present body of organisational psychology literature, and provide insights into sport professionals' work-life balance, a concept that has become increasingly popular over the years. Two empirical studies, one concerning exercise dependency in Cross Fit, and the other, a narrative exploration of athletes' return to sport following the COVID-19 pandemic, also demonstrate a variety of research skill and competencies required of the candidate.Readers of this portfolio will also gain some insight into the philosophical development of the candidate throughout their professional doctorate enrolment. Ontological and epistemological positionings are examined, challenged, and subsequently evolve throughout the portfolio. In particular, the author demonstrates their development from a positivist/post-positivist to a constructivist paradigm concerning their underpinning philosophical paradigm. This development is also paralleled in their consultancy practice, where the practitioner's consultancy values move from a practitioner-led, performance focused lens to a person centred, client led consultancy style. This process of individuation is examined through commentary and reflections, where the candidate seeks to understand their values and beliefs and face up to challenges associated in their development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)