Sports psychological expertise in competitive sports

The asp has established ethical guidelines for sports psychological counseling and support, as well as a statement regarding the self-understanding of sports psychology in Germany.

Ethical Guidelines

Ethical Framework Guidelines

Professional Ethics

Just like other training and support services, psychological counseling and support measures in elite sports must meet the highest standards of expertise, quality, and professionalism. Therefore, the BISp, the DOSB, and the asp have established professional quality criteria as guidelines and recommendations for qualifications and training that individuals must demonstrate in order to work in performance-oriented sports or to engage in sports psychological support activities funded by federal resources.

The following requirements apply:

• A university-accredited degree (MA / Diploma) in psychology, sports science, or sports psychology.
  Graduates from other fields or individuals without an accredited university degree at the diploma/master's level are not permitted.
• Basic competencies in the fields of sports science and psychology (at least 50 units each).
• Expertise in sports psychological training and/or sports psychological coaching.
• Proof of at least 200 hours of sports psychological practice in performance-oriented sports under supervision (ratio 1:4, i.e., at least 50 hours of supervision) per focus area (sports psychological training or coaching).

Individuals who meet the aforementioned training and practical evidence requirements may call themselves "Sports Psychological Expert (asp Curriculum Elite Sports)" or "Sports Psychological Expert (asp Curriculum Elite Sports)" and will be recognized as such by the asp, the BISp, and the DOSB.

For access to the field of sports psychological services, both the above-mentioned quality criteria and listing in the asp Expert Database for Elite Sports (EDL) are helpful but neither a prerequisite nor a guarantee.