How to build trust with athletes as a Sport Psychologist
Introduction
In sport psychology, techniques such as visualization, goal setting, or self-talk are powerful tools. But before any of these can have their intended impact, one ingredient must be firmly in place: trust. Without trust, athletes may resist opening up, fail to apply strategies consistently, or even abandon the process entirely. This article explores why trust is central to sport psychology practice, the challenges of building it, and practical methods sport psychologists can use to establish and strengthen trust with athletes of all levels.
- Why trust matters in Sport Psychology
Athletes operate in environments filled with pressure—coaches, fans, media, and sometimes family members all expect results. Unlike a technical coach, a sport psychologist addresses the inner world of the athlete: emotions, fears, doubts, and motivation. This requires athletes to be vulnerable, and vulnerability is impossible without trust. Trust allows:
- Openness
- athletes feel comfortable sharing struggles like lack of confidence or anxiety.
- Commitment
- They are more likely to stick to interventions such as journaling, mindfulness, or visualization.
- Stronger outcomes
- With trust, mental skills training becomes a true partnership, leading to measurable improvements in performance and well-being.
- The challenges of building trust with athletes
Building trust is not automatic-it must be earned. Some common challenges include:
- Cultural Barriers– In some African contexts, athletes may turn to traditional or religious practices first, and may see sport psychology as unfamiliar.
- Stigma around mental health– Some athletes believe seeking psychological support shows weakness.
- Fear of exposure– Athletes worry that personal information may reach coaches, teammates, or the media.
- High expectations– Athletes want quick fixes, but mental skills take time to master.
Understanding these barriers is the first step to overcoming them.
- Five strategies to build trust with athletes
- Guarantee confidentiality
The first rule of trust is privacy. From the start, athletes must know that what they share will stay confidential unless they give explicit permission. Create written agreements, explain boundaries, and reassure them during sessions.
Example: a young basketball player may hesitate to admit performance anxiety because he fears the coach will think he is weak. By explicitly stating, “This conversation stays between us,” the psychologist gives him the courage to open up.
- Practice active listening
Listening is more than waiting for a turn to speak. It means paying attention to words, tone, body language, and silences. Active listening shows respect and helps athletes feel understood. Techniques include:
- Nodding and summarizing their words (“So you’re saying that…”).
- Asking clarifying questions.
- Avoiding interruptions.
Example: a runner complaining about fatigue may actually be signaling burnout or personal stress. Careful listening uncovers the real issue.
- Show empathy, not judgment
Athletes face high expectations from coaches and fans. The last thing they need is judgment from a sport psychologist. Instead, offer empathy: acknowledge struggles as normal, validate emotions, and remind them that setbacks are part of growth.
Example: when a swimmer admits to fear before competition, responding with, “That’s a sign of weakness,” destroys trust. Responding with, “Even the best athletes feel nervous—it means you care,” builds trust.
- Be consistent and reliable
Trust grows when sport psychologists show reliability. This includes being punctual, honoring commitments, and maintaining professionalism. Consistency communicates respect for the athlete’s time and goals. Example: if you commit to sending a follow-up exercise plan, deliver it on time. Repeated reliability builds credibility.
- Celebrate progress
Acknowledging even small improvements strengthens the relationship. Celebrations could be verbal encouragement, written notes, or recognition in team settings (with the athlete’s consent). Example: Highlighting that a basketball player improved free-throw focus by 10% reminds them the process works and that their effort is noticed.
- Trust across different athlete profiles
- Youth athletes→ Need reassurance, encouragement, and a safe space away from parental or coaching pressure.
- Elite athletes→ Require professionalism, clear evidence-based methods, and absolute confidentiality.
- Team athletes→ Need both individual trust and assurance that group sessions won’t expose private struggles.
Adapting trust-building methods to the athlete’s stage and environment ensures deeper connections.
- Long-term impact of trust in Sport Psychology
When trust is consistently maintained, sport psychologists see significant long-term benefits:
- Athletes adopt mental skills as lifelong habits.
- Performance outcomes improve because interventions are fully embraced.
- Teams develop a culture where psychological support is normalized.
- Athletes become ambassadors, encouraging peers to seek psychological services.
Conclusion
In sport psychology, techniques may vary—visualization, goal setting, or resilience training. But no method works without trust. Building trust requires confidentiality, empathy, consistency, and recognition. When athletes feel safe and respected, they open the door to growth, resilience, and peak performance.
Ultimately, trust is not just a foundation—it is the true competitive edge that allows sport psychology to transform lives and careers.
By Dr. Cheikh SARR.