Competition is on an ever increase within the world of performance. Performers are relentlessly working to get an edge over their competition. However, this comes at a cost: increased pressure. An athlete, performing artist, business worker, soldier, politician, doctor, etc. can only take so much until their mental efforts take a toll and decision making will no longer be efficient, translating into game losses, lack of improvement/productivity, lack of credibility or, at worse, even resulting in fatal errors. Reaching success, and maintaining it, all boils down to a performer’s mental game. It’s the performer’s responsibility to manage pre-performance anxiety, regulate emotions, rebound from mistakes, adapt and adjust to factors that influence the performance beyond their control, hence giving them an edge. These are some of the skills that are learned and developed through meeting with a performance, sport and exercise psychologist and why having one on your team is essential for optimal performance.

A mental skills coach or sport performance consultant is not a psychologist, and therefore, cannot identify, diagnose or treat mental illnesses. They are typically trained in coaching performance to athletes.

A sport and exercise psychologist works with either recreational or professional athletes (sport) to help promote an environment where the athlete can flourish and either improve one’s performance and/or maintain a high level of performance, or with health promotion initiatives (exercise) to help people in behaviour change programmes such as start engaging in healthier lifestyles (physical activity and nutrition) or increase motivation to commit to their healthy lifestyle. In order to obtain the title of a Sport and Exercise Psychologist a specialised masters degree, and a minimum of 2 years supervised work experience in the sport and exercise fields are required.

A performance psychologist title is not protected by any governing body and can therefore be used by anyone with a Masters degree level in the field and without the need of 2 years supervised practice. However, one needs to be qualified in performance psychology to be able to deal with other performance areas like performing arts, business, military, medical, politics, among others.

Dr Bernice Sant is qualified in both areas with an additional Doctorate level of education in Sport and Exercise Psychology and with both UK (Health Care Professional Council -HCPC) and Maltese (Malta Psychologists Profession Board) ‘psychologist’ accreditation. This is why she is referred to as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist and a Performance Psychologist.

The goal of the initial meeting is to create a tailored treatment plan. The psychologist will ask a series of questions aimed at creating a picture of what brought you in and what you are looking to get out of working with them. A discussion surrounding what is currently happening along with its history and how it is influencing your performance will occur.  Collaboratively, you will identify goals to work on along with learning more about the process of sessions going forward. Additionally, it is an opportunity for you to ask questions that you may have about the process and what you can expect to get out of it.

Typically, meetings are initially held once per week unless it is clinically indicated to meet more frequently. Weekly meetings assist in establishing the relationship between you and the sport psychologist along with building a solid foundation of knowledge and strategies. Once the foundation is established, the session frequency moves to bi-weekly or monthly meetings to provide opportunity for you to practice and apply the strategies in your performance setting. The meetings may occur in a clinic, online via video technology, or on-site (e.g. on the field).