Arizona State University (ASU) has introduced a sports and performance counseling concentration aimed at training students to support the mental health of athletes, first responders, military personnel, and performing artists who often experience high levels of stress in their work environments.
The new concentration, offered as part of ASU’s Bachelor of Science in counseling and applied psychological science, focuses on the relationship between psychological wellness and physical performance, emphasizing the importance of counseling for optimal career performance and overall well-being.
Prominent athletes like Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Michael Phelps have shed light on the intense mental pressures faced in competitive sports, highlighting the role of counseling therapy in addressing these issues.
At ASU, student-athletes have recognized the significance of mental health support for their peers, with the establishment of organizations like Morgan’s Message, dedicated to providing support and resources for collegiate athletes. The ASU men’s basketball team has also shown an interest in enhancing the mental well-being of its athletes, demonstrating the growing importance of mental health in sports.
The sports and performance counseling concentration is offered through ASU Online and ASU Local, with plans to make it available at the Tempe campus in the future. The program has garnered national attention and is designed to address the increasing demand for mental health support in sports and performance fields.
The first course offered in the concentration, “Introduction to Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology,” has attracted a diverse group of students, including coaches and athletes. This course aims to equip students with the skills to recognize and address mental struggles in athletes, ultimately helping them become better performers.
The creation of the concentration also led to the establishment of an undergraduate research lab, the Culture, Athletics, Spirituality, and Mental Health Research team (CASMR). This research team provides undergraduate students with opportunities to engage in research on topics related to mental health stressors and strengths in the context of sports, including the experiences of Latino youth and families and the challenges faced by football coaches and players.
This program reflects a growing awareness of the significance of mental health in sports and other performance-based fields, with a focus on providing students with the knowledge and skills to support the psychological well-being of athletes and performers.
