For an athlete to succeed in reaching a high level in his career, it is not enough to undergo physical training. In reality, an additional moral preparation will be of great use to him in the sense that it will allow him to cultivate, develop and use all his potentials. This psychological task is taken care of by a mental trainer or sports psychologist. Do you perhaps plan to engage in one of these two professions? Find out everything you need to know.
Become a mental trainer: what to do?
The qualification of mental trainer is not yet officially recognized and anyone who wishes can become one. However, like any profession, it is necessary to follow a university education beforehand. At the end of the latter, you will be able to acquire your university diploma of mental trainer as well as the techniques and knowledge appropriate to practice.
Today, there are many training courses, especially in STAPS specialties that can help you with this. Nevertheless, it would be more judicious to acquire certain preliminary notions with regard to sports jargon. Apart from university apprenticeships, you can also find private training courses during which it is possible to acquire the same knowledge.
Nevertheless, the major concern is which formation to choose. First of all, you must define what you really want during your learning. Since you plan to become a specialist in the trade of mental preparation, the ideal would be to choose a thorough and good quality training. This should allow you to master the work context, the strategies without forgetting the ethical rules.
In view of the current trend in the profession of mental trainer, it would be better to choose serious schools certified by the State. In addition, following your training, it is not obvious that you can master all the concepts acquired.
This is why, it is recommended to carry out several professional training courses, in particular near the sportsmen and if possible their coach. Getting a master’s degree in mental preparation is also a better idea, but succeeding in real-world circumstances isn’t always easy. With internships, you will be able to accumulate the necessary experiences to better manage your professional career.
What training to become a sports psychologist?
A prerequisite for claiming the profession of psychologist is to hold successively the diplomas of license, master’s degree as well as the DESS / MASTER 2 in psychological sciences. Generally, there are two possibilities to become a specialist in sports psychology.
The first is to take the master’s courses in psychology. Also, you must have some knowledge of the sports world in order to better understand the framework for exercising the profession of sports psychology. If you have already studied psychology, you can register for a specialization in order to obtain a master’s degree in sports psychology. This allows you to better integrate into the field.
The second possibility is to subscribe directly to specific training in sports psychology. In France, there are only two universities that offer this specialty. These are the University of Montpellier and that of Dijon. In reality, it should be noted that some psychologists, although having followed a different course of learning, still manage to assert themselves.
This is explained by the fact that over time, they have been able to acquire a maximum of experience, which allows them to know how to deal with athletes. Problems, whether personal or financial, are likely to affect his performance.
By employing appropriate techniques, the psychologist can become effective and help the athlete overcome his demons. It all starts with experience. However, to acquire the latter, it is necessary to be confused with the practice by doing professional internships. However, it is not always easy to find them.
In this case, a better alternative is to use sports federations, which are good places to find athletes to follow. Thus, you will be able to work with them and if possible, with the follow-up of a professional in sports psychology.
What are the qualities necessary to become a psychologist or mental trainer for sport?
Whether you plan to become a specialist in sports psychology or mental preparation, you will need to possess certain qualities beforehand. The first of these is how to familiarize yourself with your patients. Indeed, in your professional career, you will have to intervene with different individuals.
This is why it is necessary to have a sharp sense of listening and understanding of customers. This allows you to establish a real bond of trust. You need to be able to discern their feelings in order to know how to work them well. Given the importance of the profession, you must at all costs respect the ethical rules and above all act with discretion. In any situation, you are bound by professional secrecy.
It follows that a good psychologist or mental trainer must be rigorous in his field. You probably need this asset to achieve your goals and ensure the well-being of your prospects. The profession of psychology often involves experiencing the feelings of your patients. However, under no circumstances should you allow your emotions to overwhelm you to the point of passing judgment.
Finally, as a sports psychologist or mental trainer, you must be patient and cultivate a desire to help others. This is also the basis of your profession. Above all, do not hesitate to use effective techniques to motivate your patients and help them find their self-confidence.
How much does a mental coach earn?
It is often difficult to say exactly how much a mental trainer or a sports psychologist will earn. In reality, some professionals are specially recruited by the athlete. In this case, the latter pays them a monthly remuneration in accordance with the work rendered and defined in advance.
On the other hand, others prefer to work independently. Thus, they are at the service of several athletes at the same time. It is then obvious that the remuneration is not identical in the two cases. The salary often varies depending on several factors, in this case, the experience of the specialist.
In general, a mental coach earns on average an amount of 2300 to 4000 euros per month if he is at the beginning of his career. The salary might increase to 10,000 euros over time depending on seniority in the field.
