PSYCHOLOGIST SELF-CARE

Self-motivation management and burnout prevention

The role of the sports psychologist involves being a constant emotional container for others, motivating, listening and absorbing the anxieties of the team. This carries a high risk of professional burnout or compassion fatigue.

It is essential for the professional to apply on himself the regulation strategies he teaches, managing his own energy and motivation so as not to "burn out".

A psychologist who is constantly traveling with a team may feel burned out by the lack of privacy and the continuous demand for attention. To prevent burnout, he or she should establish strict disengagement routines (e.g., "sacred reading time" or self-exercise) and remember his or her own values and reasons for practicing the profession.

If the psychologist loses his or her motivation, his or her ability to inspire and help others is compromised. "Caring for the caregiver" is an ethical and professional imperative.

Loneliness of the role and the need for supervision

Unlike coaches who often have assistants, the sports psychologist is often a solitary figure on staff.

He or she does not usually have peers with whom to share clinical questions or vent frustrations specific to his or her role within the organization.

This loneliness can lead to loss of perspective or professional stagnation.

To mitigate this, it is crucial to seek outside supervision or support networks with other colleagues in the profession.

Having a mentor or peer group with whom to discuss anonymous cases (clinical supervision) allows one to validate strategies, gain new perspectives and feel accompanied.

For example, if a psychologist feels blocked with a resistant athlete, discussing it with an experienced supervisor can unblock the situation and ease the emotional burden of feeling that he or she must have all the answers alone.

Summary

The role of emotional container carries a high risk of professional burnout