Some students see sport psychologists as no different than SAT preparation coaches, college-admissions consultants, tutors, and trainers who help teenagers improve their performance. They tap into a teenage mindset that worries less about the stigma of seeing a therapist than the stigma of not being in the spotlight. No figures exist on how many teenagers visit sport psychologists. Ten years ago, mainly professional or college athletes sought these services. Still others keep the appointments a secret, not out of a fear of being exposed, but to reduce the likelihood that other athletes will seek therapy, thus diluting the competitive edge they believe they're acquiring.
Sport psychologists come from varied backgrounds, and veterans in the field warn about charlatans.
Only two things are clear. To practice in Massachusetts, psychologists are required to have state licenses that minimally require a doctorate in psychology. Insurance coverage for sports psychology falls into a gray area. At first, they thought he was compensating for starting the sport relatively late, and standing a comparatively diminutive 5 feet 8 inches tall. But his obsession got more intense.