Throughout my time working with clients, I’ve learned a number of valuable lessons. These insights, shaped by experience and feedback, have helped me refine my approach to psychology and counselling. Here is part 1 of some key lessons that have really impacted how I see my role and approach to helping others.
90% of the Job Is Not About Problem-Solving
When I first started training (and even now at times), I thought my role as a sport psych was to solve clients’ problems. I assumed my knowledge was there to provide answers to their questions. Some might be thinking, “Well, isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?” In a way, yes. But over time, I’ve come to see that this isn’t the main focus of my job.
Every psychologist develops their own understanding of their role. For me, I realised that my job isn’t to solve problems for my clients but to create a safe space for them to solve their own.
How did I come to this understanding? Ironically, by trying to solve their problems!
In the early stages of my career, my approach was to quickly find solutions. “Have you thought about trying this?” I might suggest after meeting a client just once or twice. While I felt these solutions were helpful, I soon realised they were ineffective. Offering solutions without fully understanding what the client wanted often missed the mark. I hadn’t stopped to consider whether they even saw their issue as a problem or if they simply wanted someone to listen.
What I learned was that the key part of my role is to provide an environment where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings, talking about their struggles, expressing their emotions, and reflecting on their experiences without judgement. This was the first lesson in realising that 90% of the job doesn’t involve solving problems.
Over time, my perspective on the role of a psychologist has evolved. While I still believe a key part of my job is to create a space where clients can work through challenges, I’ve come to see it as so much more than that. These days, I advocate for anyone to see a psychologist, not just to solve problems, but to explore their potential, deepen self-awareness, and grow.
This shift in perspective didn’t just come from my professional work, it was shaped by my own personal experience of going through two rounds of therapy (which I’ll share more about in a future post).
Begin with the End in Mind: Be Intentional in Your Actions
One of the first things my supervisor told me was, “Slow down” (in fact he told me this again just yesterday). I’d often respond to questions instinctively, without thinking carefully about what I was saying. I wasn’t responding with intention. This carried over into other aspects of my practice, like asking clients questions, reflecting their words, or suggesting work for them to do outside of sessions. These decisions were sometimes made on autopilot, without considering the long-term goals.
When I think about how I plan for other areas of my life, it makes sense. For instance, when I train, I set an end goal in mind, whether it’s improving my physique or reaching a specific body fat percentage. When I go food shopping, I plan meals based on my dietary goals. So, why wouldn’t I approach my work with clients in the same way?
I’ve made decisions in the past that turned out to be the right ones, but they were more instinctive responses to clients’ needs. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s not always the best way to approach complex issues. Ethical and effective practice requires thinking ahead, making intentional decisions, and aligning those decisions with the client’s end goals.
Athletes Observe Me More Than I Observe Them
When I enter a team environment, the system is already in place, the routines, roles, and dynamics are established. My first task is to observe how the team functions: Who takes charge? Who doesn’t? What are the team’s routines and behaviours?
However, while I’m focused on observing the athletes and their environment, they are observing me just as much, if not more. It can take time for my presence to be accepted, and much of that depends on how I carry myself. My behaviours, my routines, and my professionalism are all being scrutinised by the athletes as they decide if they can trust me and what value I bring to the team.
A lesson I learned from my supervisor illustrated this perfectly. When he first started working with a team, he took the time to collect the water bottles at the end of training, distributing them to anyone who needed one. One of the athletes later said he probably wouldn’t have worked with my supervisor if he hadn’t noticed that small act of care.
The athletes are always observing me in their environment, sometimes even more than I observe them.
These lessons have shaped my practice in profound ways and continue to guide me as I grow in my role. Each experience has helped me develop a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be an effective counsellor and support those in need.
Part 2 coming soon…
Major shoutout to Dr. Jonathan Katz, top man.
Written by Natasha Bains
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