We have to talk about that RTE Special

Hello hello hello!

If you're reading this, my guess is that you are interested in Sport Psychology as profession, or perhaps you want to know more about my own stance on this critical issue in the field. Maybe you've seen the RTE Special about fake Psychologists and you want to know more. So, let's get into it.

What's the situation?

Here in Ireland, the occupation title of 'psychologist' is not a protected term. Any person can go around calling themselves a psychologist and operate a private practice as a practicing psychologist. As the recent RTE investigation has highlighted, it also takes very little effort for people to acquire fake degrees from diploma mills to create the appearance of having the necessary credentials for practicing as a psychologist.

This has long been an issue in the field here in Ireland. Actual psychologists and the Psychological Society of Ireland have been crying out for regulations in the profession for decades. CORU is the government body responsible for regulating other health and social professions in Ireland, but the regulation of psychologists has not yet been addressed.

Why is this an issue?

It's a danger to the public. The ordinary citizen is unprotected from unregulated practitioners who may do more harm than good. As seen in the recent RTE investigation, unregulated psychologists can do harm to clients because they are not qualified to carry out psychological assessments, psychotherapy or other mental health interventions that those clients need!

Ireland's health system is very broken, and in a context where it can take months to years for people to be assessed and get help, the lack of regulation is particularly dangerous. Patients and parents are desperate for interventions, and as such, they are more vulnerable to the danger of fake psychologists.

Even in the sporty side of things?

Yes. Sport psychology is not regulated here in Ireland. The Psychological Society of Ireland does not have the authority to regulate Sport Psychologists and neither does the Sport Institute. Practitioners can be accredited with the Sport Institute of Ireland, but this does not make them Sport Psychologist. Any person in Ireland can technically call themselves a Sport and Performance Psychologist with no legal or regulatory repercussions.

I think Sport Psychology Consultant, Ann Marie Kennedy, summarises this nicely in her Twitter thread (some of which can be seen below).

If I want to work with a Sport Psychologist or Consultant, what should I be looking for?

Ask the right questions regarding qualifications.

• Do they have an Undergraduate Psychology Degree AND at least a specialised Masters Degree in Sport and Performance psychology? A good practitioner should have both! Not just one or the other. You should be wary of those who do have a Masters, but do not have an undergrad degree in psychology.

• Do they at least have graduate membership with the British Psychological Society or the Psychological Society of Ireland? This tells you that they at least have an accredited undergraduate psychology degree (meaning that degree is legitimate and does not come from a diploma mill), but you should still not work with someone who only has an undergrad degree in psychology.

• It's good to know that some practitioners, especially those from the U.S.A., may have Doctorate-level degrees (i.e. PhDs, PsyD) in Clinical Psychology, in addition to specialised training in the speciality of Sport and Performance, which is great!

• Have they undertaken any supervised practice as part of their training? Supervision is a key component for how psychologists build their experience and expertise.

• Are they familiar with the ethical guidelines outlined by professional body like the Psychological Society of Ireland, or the British Psychological Association?

• Just know, a Sport Psychology Consultant is NOT a psychologist. That doesn't mean that consultants have nothing to offer, it just means that as a consumer, you need be informed about who you can and cannot trust as a practitioner. Many consultants in Ireland (like myself) intentionally do not call themselves 'Sport Psychologists' because it feels unethical and misleading. We do our best to engage in supervision, join professional bodies, and engage in regular continuous professional development.

My Credentials

A good Sport Psychology Consultant wants the 'psychologist' title to be regulated just as much as our clinical and counselling peers. I am always fully transparent about my own credentials and experience, as well as the limits of my competence. I refuse to use the title of Sport Psychologist until I have completed additional training through the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). This training will then allow me to register as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK, which is a protected title.

Here is a summary of my academic credentials:

> Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honors) in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire

> Masters of Psychological Science from University College Dublin

> PhD in Public Health (getting a PhD or doctorate is a big deal and the highest degree you can achieve, but mine was a research-based degree, not an applied or clinical doctorate. It's not bad, but it's just not clinical. Nonetheless, it helps me be a good critical thinker and sort the good science from the junk science, as well as understand the science behind sport psychology. This degree allows me to develop new knowledge as a researcher, and those with a PhD can use the title of Dr.)

> Masters of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology

Other experience and accreditations:

> I have Graduate membership with the Psychological Society of Ireland which means my undergraduate and Masters degrees are legitimate!

> I also have 100 hours of applied practice in psychology as an Assistant Psychologist, with additional supervision hours as part of that role.

> I have at least 600 hours of client contact in a corporate wellbeing context as a Wellness Consultant.

Continuous professional development this year (so far):

> Psychological First Aid Training (Johns Hopkins University Online)

> Disordered Eating in Sport and Dance - Workshop

The direction I intend to go:

> I will be applying for the BASES training route in July 2023, which will allow me to keep building experience and engage in professional supervision over a period of 2 years. Though not necessary, it is important to me that I engage in additional regulated training.

Summary

Be careful out there. The term 'psychologist' is not protected in this country. There could be charlatans hiding in the shadows of poor regulation here in Ireland. You deserve to work with someone who is qualified, competent, and ethically aware. Be sceptical and ask questions of the Consultants you might work with.