Improving the delivery of applied sport psychology support through reflective practice

This article offers an exploration of factors that influence the effectiveness of
applied sport psychology delivery through reflection on a series of consulting
experiences. Knowledge gained by a British Association of Sport and Exercise
Sciences (BASES) trainee sport psychologist (Cropley), through a process of
reflective practice during the first year of supervised experience, is presented
around a number of themes that have emerged from current literature regarding
the characteristics of effective service providers (A. Anderson, A. Miles, P. Robinson, & C. Mahoney, 2004). It is argued that reflection improves self-awareness and generates knowledge in action that can enhance the delivery of applied sport psychology. Support is therefore provided for the adoption of reflective practice as a tool for personal and professional development.