Sport and exercise psychologist

As a sport and exercise psychologist, you'll:

• assess clients' needs to develop fitness plans and recommendations
• set up activities to improve team and individual performance
• advise coaches and managers on team communication
• support athletes in coping with injuries, confidence and motivation
• teach people psychological techniques to improve their wellbeing and performance

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• customer service skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to enjoy working with other people
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through a university course.

You could work for a local health authority, or on a GP exercise referral scheme. You could also assess exercise programmes in workplaces, prisons or psychiatric settings.

With experience and further study you could:

• become a senior psychologist
• work as a consultant
• move into lecturing or research