‘Elephant spotting’: The importance of developing shared understanding to work more effectively with talented but challenging athletes

Abstract

This paper explores the use of psychological formulation within elite sport environments as a process to help practitioners and coaches develop a shared understanding of their athlete’s challenges and successes. The team formulation process or ‘elephant spotting’ incorporates the use of psychological knowledge to develop an understanding of the athlete’s experience, their wider support system, and the broader environment and is used to inform a coherent, consistent and holistic intervention plan that is open to testing and review.