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Getting back on track: A trainee sport psychologist’s experience working with a junior athlete to regain confidence using a person-centered approach
Leishman, Anna McCarthy, Paul J.
Leishman, Anna
McCarthy, Paul J.
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2026-05-15
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Adobe PDF, 417.46 KB
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Abstract
This article presents a reflective case study, exploring applied practice with a 16-year-old amateur athlete competing in sprinting events. During this work, a person-centered consultancy approach was adopted. The aim was to provide the client with a confidential space where she could discuss her experiences. Throughout this work, the focus was on demonstrating the core conditions to bring about meaningful change. As our work together progressed, the client moved through the stages of change. As she became more congruent with her identity as a sprinter, this led to an increase in confidence, where the client progressed to a more challenging training group and became excited about competing. The case study concludes with an exploration of the challenges faced working online and trainee reflections on experiences of early consultancy work in a familiar sporting context. These reflections highlight a shift from the need to constantly “do something” toward the prioritization of the therapeutic relationship. This case study contributes to the literature by presenting the use of person-centered therapy as an early career sport and exercise psychology trainee, highlighting some challenges that can occur when beginning to deliver sport psychology services with a nondirective approach.
Citation
Leishman, A., & McCarthy, P. J. (2026). Getting back on track: A trainee sport psychologist’s experience working with a junior athlete to regain confidence using a person-centered approach. Case Studies in Sport and Performance Psychology, 10(1), article-number csspp.2025-0006. https://doi.org/10.1123/csspp.2025-0006
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Human Kinetics
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Case Studies in Sport and Performance Psychology
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Article
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Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from [Case Studies in Sport and Performance Psychology, 2026, 10(1): csspp.2025-0006, https://doi.org/10.1123/csspp.2025-0006]. © Human Kinetics, Inc.
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3068-0530