Therapies / Treatments

• Sport and Exercise Psychology Practitioner

  . Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT), person-centred, & mentalisation based treatment (MBT) approaches to psychological skills training (PST) for sport & exercise

  · Improving motivation and dealing with sporting setbacks and challenges

  · Enhancing focus, concentration and attention-control

  · Managing stress, performance and competitive anxiety in sport and exercise

  · Building relationships with your sports team and coaches

  · Developing self-worth, confidence and identity in sport and exercise

  · Dealing with injury, adjustment issues and return to sport and exercise after injury

  · Working with different stages of the athlete’s career development and transitions.

Dr Ann Fitzgerald is a counselling psychologist specialising in the psychology of sport and exercise with almost 20 years NHS and private practice clinical experience. Traditional sport psychology has tended to have a narrow focus on performance enhancement using mental skills training which may not meet the complex psychological needs of athletes. Combining her broad clinical training and experience with contemporary sport psychology theories and best practice Ann takes a holistic biopsychosocial approach to assess the psychological foundations of the athlete, team, club or sporting organisation and develop a working psychological formulation to inform a flexible intervention plan offering continuous review and revision.

 As a psychologist specialising in sport and exercise in Edinburgh, Ann works with all levels of sport and sporting activities including individual and team sports.  You may participate in your sport or exercise at a recreational, competitive, amateur or elite level.  She works with older adolescents 16+ years, young and older adults taking a flexible approach to focus on the needs and goals of the individual within a specific sport and exercise context.

Ann has trained in CBT, MBT, person-centred and psychodynamic approaches to psychological therapy and interventions.  She is experienced in delivering psycho-education workshops to groups which can help to build a cohesive team and enhance teamwork which are essential in many sports.

Ann offers a free telephone consultation 15-20 mins before arranging the first appointment.  She is registered with all the major health insurance companies including Bupa, Aviva, WPA, Axa & Vitality.  Authorisation by your insurance company needs to be arranged in advance of appointment.

Qualifications

MSc Psychology of Sport, University of Stirling 2023-2024

Doctorate in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology, University of Surrey 2005-2008

Counselling Skills Certificate, National University of Ireland, 2004-2005

BSc in Psychology, Oxford Brookes University 1999-2002

Registration / Professional Memberships

The Health and Care Professionals Council The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) | (hcpc-uk.org)

British Psychological Society (BPS) – Chartered & Associate Fellow Membership BPS > Psychologist search > Directory of Chartered Psychologists

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