Sports Mental Health Specialist

Position Announcement

Utah Valley University is seeking a Sports Mental Health Specialist! As a mental health therapist and mental performance provider housed in UVU Athletics, this position is responsible for providing psychotherapy, assessment, mental performance enhancement, education, and consultation to individual student-athletes and teams. It will require collaboration with other mental health providers, team physicians, athletic trainers, dietitians, strength & conditioning, academic, and administrative staff to provide multi-disciplinary support of student-athletes to achieve their life, academic, sport, and wellness goals.

Summary of Responsibilities

Position Announcement

Utah Valley University is seeking a Sports Mental Health Specialist! As a mental health therapist and mental performance provider housed in UVU Athletics, this position is responsible for providing psychotherapy, assessment, mental performance enhancement, education, and consultation to individual student-athletes and teams. It will require collaboration with other mental health providers, team physicians, athletic trainers, dietitians, strength & conditioning, academic, and administrative staff to provide multi-disciplinary support of student-athletes to achieve their life, academic, sport, and wellness goals.

Summary of Responsibilities

Apply Now


• Administers psychotherapy to student-athletes for cognitive, substance, psychotic, anxiety, dissociative, sexual, sleep adjustment, personality and other psychological disorders. Administer sport mental performance interventions to address confidence, performance anxiety, goal-setting, team communication, injury stress, and decreased performance. Conduct suicide risk assessments utilizing evidence-based practice; provide intake, triage, and crisis intervention with clients who are experiencing acute behavioral and/or emotional crisis.
• Develops, implements, and oversees strategies to assist the athletic population overcome sport related difficulties and help improve their performance.
• Under the direction of the Director of Athletics (or designee), coordinates operational activities for a service program implemented for the mental health of student-athletes. Meets with athletic teams, coaches, administration, and staff to give presentations on varied topics to help teams mental health awareness and performance.
• Records accurate confidential notes of client’s condition, treatment plan, and progress towards recovery goals. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

Graduation from an accredited institution with a Master’s degree in psychology, sport psychology, professional counseling, marriage and family therapy, social work, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications
PhD in Psychology or related field. Education and experience working with collegiate student-athletes in clinical and sport psychology settings.

Licenses or Certifications
Utah license, or license eligible within 1 year, to practice mental health therapy (required)
Certified Mental Performance Consultant (preferred)

Documents Needed to Apply
Required

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Resume
3. Cover Letter
4. Licenses or Certification Optional
5. Letter of Recommendation

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of individual, group, and crisis intervention counseling strategies.
• Knowledge of treatment planning, development, and implementation.
• Knowledge of applying current research and evidence based strategies in sport and exercise psychology.
• Knowledge of appropriate goal setting in modern athletics.
• Basic knowledge of psychopharmacology.
• Basic knowledge of NCAA guidelines and restrictions.
• Knowledge DSM 5 psychiatric diagnoses.
• Knowledge of consulting techniques, public speaking, teaching, presentations, etc.
• Knowledge of essential principles of psychology, human behavior, counseling, and psychotherapy Skills
• Skills in diagnosis of psychological disorders, treatment planning, and providing appropriate care of student-athlete
• Self-driven productivity and excellent communication/interpersonal skills Abilities
• Ability to diagnose psychological disorders based on the DSM 5.
• Ability to keep accurate and precise treatment records.

EEO Statement:

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant’s qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.