Case Study of a Professional Development Support Group of Sport Psychology Practitioners Working in Major League Baseball Organizations in the United States and Canada

Abstract

A case study is presented about sport psychology practitioners working in Major League Baseball organizations in the United States and Canada who collaborated as a professional development support group. The practitioners ranged from entry-level mental skills coaches to midcareer providers to veteran sport psychologists. The professional development support group is described in relation to its professional development goals, membership criteria, and relevant context. The case study offers a perspective on the evolution of the group and provides evaluative information about implementation of its activities relative to its professional developmental goals. The case includes reflections about the meaning of the group and suggestions for how sport psychology practitioners can collaborate to foster their professional development in sport settings. In addition, lessons learned from the case study are considered for continued improvement of professional development support in sport psychology. Finally, guidelines are provided for designing and implementing professional development groups in sport psychology at professional and collegiate levels of sport.