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GAMEON VOLUME 01 | ISSUE 01 IN THIS ISSUE: Faith as a Powerful Coping Tool in Sports + Control the Controllables

WELCOME TO THE AACC’S SPORT AND PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY DIVISION

We are delighted to welcome you to the Amer ican Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP) Division. As a member of this innovative and rapidly expanding division, you are part of a pioneering group of professionals dedicated to addressing mental health within performance arenas through a faith-based approach. Whether your work is on the field, court, or in the team room or board room, the need for educated and experienced Christian mental health profession als in these settings has never been greater.

The intersection of faith and performance psychology presents a unique opportunity to harness spiritual beliefs to enhance mental and physical perform-ance. The SPP Di vision is vital to the field of Christian counseling as it integrates the principles of sport and performance psychology with a distinctly Christian perspective. This integration is crucial for the following reasons: 1. Holistic Approach to Sport Performance and Well-being. Christian counseling rec ognizes the importance of addressing the mind, body, and spirit. By incorporating sport and performance psychology, the SPP Division ensures that mental health strategies are aligned with spiritual values, promoting overall well-being.

GAME ON EDITORAL STAFF

... the skills and knowledge you gain

GAME ON | Volume 01, Issue 01 Game On is published by the American Association of Christian Counselors. President: Tim Clinton SPP Director: Ed Garrett Graphic Designer: Amy Cole in Virginia and dedicated to promoting excellence and unity in Christian counseling. The purpose and objectives of AACC and the programs that it sponsors are strictly informative, educational, and affiliative. Views expressed by the authors, presenters, and advertisers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Game On , the Sport and Performance Psychology division, or the American Association of Christian Counselors. Game On , the SPP, and the AACC do not assume responsibility in any way for members’ or subscribers’ efforts to apply or utilize information, suggestions, or recommendations made by the organization, the publications, or other resources. All rights reserved. Copyright 2024. Questions or comments regarding Game On should be addressed to: Game On Editorial Office, P.O. Box 739, Forest, VA 24551 GAMEON The American Association of Christian Counselors is chartered

through the SPP Division will enable you to make a significant impact.

2. Faith as a Performance Enhancer. One’s faith can significantly facilitate performance. Belief in God provides a sense of purpose, resilience, and motivation. Athletes and profes sionals who integrate faith into their performance routines often find greater meaning and satisfaction in their efforts, leading to improved outcomes. 3. Meeting the Demand. There is a growing demand for Christian mental health profes sionals who can apply their skills in high-performance environments. The SPP Division is committed to meeting this demand by providing education and resources that equip mem bers with the necessary tools to succeed in these areas. Goals and Objectives of the SPP Division The mission of the SPP Division is to educate and equip individuals to address the cur rent mental health challenges impacting sports and performance. This mission is achieved through attention to best practices and applications centered around a faith-based approach. As a member, you will have opportunities to: • Examine Consulting Principles and Applications. Learn about the foundational principles of sport and performance psychology consulting. Understand how to apply these principles in various performance settings, from athletic fields to corporate boardrooms. • Explore Mental Health Opportunities. Discover sport and performance psychology professionals’ critical role in addressing mental health issues. Learn how to assist athletes, coaches, and leaders in managing stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. • Identify Core Concepts. Gain a deep understanding of the core concepts related to sport and performance psychology. This knowledge will enable you to better serve your clients and enhance their performance. • Integrate Faith and Values. Develop skills to integrate faith and Christian values into the practical application of sport and performance psychology. This integration is essential for providing holistic care that aligns with clients’ spiritual beliefs. Division Focus Areas The SPP Division is dedicated to several key focus areas to support members and achieve its objectives: • Faith-based Continuing Education. Offer ongoing educational opportunities that combine sport and performance psychology from a biblical perspective. These programs will help you stay current with the latest research and best practices while maintaining a faith based approach. • Practical Applications. Provide resources and training on the practical application of sport and performance psychology principles. Learn how to implement these strategies ef fectively in your professional practice. • Mental Health in Performance Arenas. Address the unique mental health challenges faced by individuals in high-performance environments. Equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to support the mental well-being of athletes, coaches, and leaders. Equipping Leaders with a Christian Perspective The SPP Division aims to equip a wide range of professionals, including coaches, athletes, athletic leaders, pastors, and others seeking to enhance their cognitive performance skills. By offering a distinctly Christian perspective, the division ensures that the mental health and performance strategies you learn and apply are grounded in faith and values. This approach enhances performance and fosters a sense of purpose and meaning, help ing individuals thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you are working with a young athlete, seasoned professional, or corporate leader, the skills and knowledge you gain through the SPP Division will enable you to make a significant impact. As you embark on this journey with the AACC’s Sport and Performance Psychology Division, we encourage you to take full advantage of the available resources, education, and community. Together, we can address the mental health challenges in performance arenas and promote a holistic approach to well-being that integrates faith and psychology. Wel come to the SPP Division, where your faith and professional expertise will come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you serve! 8

AACC Member Services: 800.526.8673 | aacc.net

GAME ON : A NEWSLETTER OF THE SPORT AND PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY DIVISION

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as a Powerful Coping Tool in Sports: Insights from Recent Research FAITH In the world of sports, where athletes face intense pressure, compe tition, and the constant demand for peak performance, one’s faith has the power to serve as a valuable coping tool. Whether it is faith that the Lord is in control, one’s personal walk, or religious prac tices, faith has been shown to positively impact athletes’ mental and emotional well-being. comes sharpened when their faith is presented as a tool toward pur pose. This article explores current research focusing on five ways faith can be harnessed as a coping mechanism in sports.

1. Enhanced Resilience in the Face of Adversity. Recent research by Smith et al. (2021) highlights the positive correlation between an athlete’s faith and resilience in facing challenges. 1 Athletes who draw on their faith often demonstrate higher levels of psychological resilience, enabling them to bounce back from setbacks, injuries, or performance slumps. This resilience can be attributed to the belief that challenges are part of a larger purpose, fostering a more opti mistic mindset.

As we begin to dive deeper into the field of sport and perfor mance psychology, consultants are constantly seeking tools to use with their clients to increase a stronger mental state. Within the Center for Sport and Performance Psychology at California Baptist University, we find it is the student-athlete’s mental state that be

ED GARRETT, PSY.D., BCMHC

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2. Reduced Anxiety and Stress Levels. A study conducted by Garcia and Johnson (2022) emphasizes the role of faith in reduc ing anxiety and stress levels among athletes. 2 Engaging in spiritual practices, such as prayer or meditation, has been linked to lower cortisol levels and a more relaxed physiological state. Athletes who integrate faith into their coping strategies often experience a heightened sense of calmness, enabling them to perform better un der pressure. 3. Increased Sense of Purpose and Motivation. Research by Thompson and Williams (2023) delves into the connection be tween an athlete’s faith and a sense of purpose and motivation. 3 Athletes who anchor their sense of purpose in something beyond the realm of sports tend to maintain a more stable motivation, even in the face of setbacks. Faith provides a larger context for their endeavors, instilling a deeper meaning that transcends the immediate challenges of competition. 4. Improved Team Dynamics and Cooperation . Faith can play a pivotal role in fostering a sense of unity and cooperation within sports teams. A study by Brown and Davis (2022) found that ath letes who share common faith-based values often exhibit better communication, trust, and cooperation. 4 Shared spiritual beliefs can create a supportive team culture, where members are more in clined to help and uplift each other, contributing to overall team success. 5. Positive Mental Imagery and Visualization. Recent research by Evans and Robinson (2023) sheds light on using faith in men tal imagery and visualization techniques. 5 Athletes who incorpo rate their faith into visualization exercises often report more vivid and positive mental imagery. This not only contributes to en hanced confidence but also aids in creating a mental space where success is envisioned, reinforcing a positive mindset crucial for optimal athletic performance. This recent research underscores the multifaceted ways faith serves as a powerful coping tool within the realm of sports. From bolstering resilience to reducing stress, instilling purpose, improv ing team dynamics, and enhancing mental imagery, the integra tion of faith can contribute significantly to an athlete’s overall well-being and performance. As sport and performance psycholo gy continue to explore the intersection of faith and athletic excel lence, athletes and coaches alike can benefit from a more holistic approach that includes one’s spiritual journey to bring strength when the game is on. 8

Ed Garrett, Psy.D., is a Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology and the Director of the Center for Sport and Performance Psychology at Cali fornia Baptist University. He also serves as the Sport and Performance Psychol ogy Division Leader for the AACC.

Endnotes 1 Smith, A.B., et al. (2021). The Role of Faith in Athlete Resilience. Journal of Sports Psychology, 25 (3), 123-140. 2 Garcia, C.D., & Johnson, M.R. (2022). Faith and Stress Reduction in Athletes. International Journal of Sports Science, 35 (2), 67-82. 3 Thompson, K.L., & Williams, J.R. (2023). Faith-Based Motivation in Athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28 (1), 45-63. 4 Brown, S.P., & Davis, R.L. (2022). Faith and Team Dynamics: A Case Study in Cohesion. Team Sports Journal, 18 (4), 210-225. 5 Evans, H.G., & Robinson, L.A. (2023). Faith and Mental Imagery in Sports: A Comprehensive Analysis. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 31 (2), 89-104.

GAME ON : A NEWSLETTER OF THE SPORT AND PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY DIVISION

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CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES times of fear, the Bible reminds us to go to God instead—that we can find rest and guidance in Him. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) states, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” We do not have to face our problems alone or rely on our limited knowledge. Instead, we can turn our worries over to God and ask Him to correct our paths.

Control the Controllables! This is a common phrase used in sport psychology. It is a quick way to remind performers to quit worrying about what they can not control and focus on what they can. It sounds so profound and simple, yet incredibly difficult to do. Wrestlers pitted against larger opponents can not change who they were paired with, but they can decide how much effort they put into their perfor mance. A musician cannot make it sunny on the day of their outdoor performance, but they can bring warm clothes. What is important here is that per formers do not distract themselves from their cur rent preparation and performance by worrying about things they cannot change. Worrying acts like an in ternal distractor, preventing performers from focus ing on what they should focus on. Thus, not only does it not fix whatever they are worrying about, but it could also hurt their performance. God does not want us to worry, either. Matthew 6:34 (NIV) states, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” God wants us to draw upon Him for strength and guidance. While human nature is to turn to self-reliance in

I will leave you with a prayer that I always teach my sport psychology students since it beautifully connects this Scripture to controlling the controllable. I have provided it below, with my interpretation in italics. The Serenity Prayer God, grant me the serenity ( let me trust you, give me peace ) to accept the things I cannot change ( accept that which I cannot control ), the courage to change the things I can ( control the controllables ), and the wisdom to know the difference ( rely upon God’s guidance ). 8

Kristin Mauldin, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology and serves as the Director of the Sport and Performance Psychology Master’s Program at California Baptist University.

KRISTIN MAULDIN, PH.D.

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