Performance Psychology vs Clinical Psychology

All categorised athletes at the NSW Institute of Sport have access to both performance psychology and clinical psychology services.

There are key differences between the two that are important to understand for athletes looking to make use of these services.

Performance Psychology

Typically, a performance psychologist will help you to review your thinking around training and competition, and ensure that thinking is focused on doing the job. For example, many athletes, when they get into an important competition – something that has real meaning for them – often start to focus on the outcome of the event.  They mistakenly believe that focusing on getting a podium result, making a team or impressing their teammates is the key to success.

So, during the competition, instead of thinking about the relevant technical content to help them perform well, they think about what success might mean for their career. This focus on the outcome rather than the process of delivering a quality performance typically leads to underperformance.

Athletes who work with a performance psychologist can generate a thinking road map. This is a process to allow them to think about the right things at the right time. To make sure that athletes are actually doing what needs to be done to get the result they want and are capable of achieving.

Rather than spending time during competition thinking about the result they want, athletes should focus on doing exactly what needs to done to get the result.

It’s a subtle but very powerful distinction.

Developing the thinking road map and ensuring it is competition-proven is key to:

• Maximising athlete thinking under pressure
• Eliminating distractions during high pressure situations
• Creating the level of confidence and self-belief they need to deliver their personal best on a consistent basis

The performance psychology service which NSWIS provides for athletes differs from the clinical psychology support provided by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) differs.

While the expert team of performance psychologists at NSWIS aim to help maximise sporting performance, the clinical psychology service supports approximately 20% of all young people who struggle with their mental health.

The AIS have recently expanded their support for athletes’ mental health through their Mental Health Referral Network.

This means that any categorised NSW Institute of Sport athlete, alumni, coach or high performance staff member who struggles with sadness, life stress, depression, anxiety, eating problems – or any challenge to their mental health – can seek confidential help through this support service, free of charge.

Clinical Psychology

Typically an athlete will work with an AIS-endorsed clinical psychologist, from their local area. During these consultations, the athlete will learn tools and skills to help them continue to balance the demands of high-performance sport and life, even though they may be experiencing emotional difficulties.

The AIS has run this service for over 12 months and has already supported a large number of athletes from NSWIS and across the country to develop the resources to stay engaged with sport and life.

It’s now offered to all categorised NSWIS athletes, alumni, coaches and high performance staff after previously being solely for podium level athletes.

Elite athletes with mental health concerns are encouraged to call the service for a private discussion.

A Mental Health Advisor will discuss your concerns and refer you, or the athlete you are referring to the most suitable psychologist or mental health practitioner.

Friends, family, sporting organisations, general practitioners and allied health professionals can also refer athletes to the service using the contact details below.

Phone: 02 6214 1130 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm AEST)
Email: mentalhealth@sportaus.gov.au

It’s important to note that the Mental Health Referral Network is not an emergency call service. If you are concerned about the immediate safety or wellbeing of yourself or an athlete, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If life is in danger, call 000 immediately.