Gatekeepers’ Experiences of Hiring a Sport Psychologist: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Within applied sport psychology, the process of gaining entry, specifically the employment interview, has received little attention relative to other stages of practice. This study, guided by an interpretative phenomenological approach, aimed to understand the experiences of gatekeepers to practice within United Kingdom elite sport who have been directly involved in the hiring of sport psychologists. Semistructured interviews with 7 participants were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four essences emerged: consultant affability, consultant confidence versus arrogance, consultant collaboration, and presentation of consultant competency. These findings highlight the importance of developing interpersonal skills, interview technique, and self-promotion skills in sport psychology practitioners. In addition, a number of features specific to the sport psychology employment interview are discussed.

Lay Summary: This study sought to understand the experiences of those individuals responsible for hiring sport psychology consultants within the United Kingdom. Analysis of interview data identified four main factors which influenced participant experiences: the consultant's affability, their confidence versus arrogance, collaborative nature, and their ability to present their competencies.