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Empathy Being a Double-Edged Sword: Friend or Foe?

The poem by Morgan Harper Nichols accurately outlines and encapsulates the true essence of empathy as our strength as it allows us practitioners to guide and support athletes in the best possible manner.

As sport psychologists, we stand ready to open that door, creating a psychologically safe and non-judgemental environment for athletes, where they feel secure and can share their thoughts, vulnerabilities and emotional experiences without any inhibitions.

While we may have never walked in their shoes and have not experienced their challenges first-hand, empathy allows us to deeply understand their emotions, creating a rapport. This connection fosters trust, enabling athletes to open up about their aspirations, struggles and fears.

The ability to try and put ourselves in other people’s shoes and empathize with the fact that their soles are worn, and strength is torn helps us acknowledge the resilience athletes display by conquering their struggles, defeats and heartaches to emerge victorious and resilient. 

More often than not, empathy serves as an invaluable asset in our role as sport psychologists by acting as a trusted friend. Demonstrating empathy helps in building a strong professional relationship that enables clients to feel understood and supported.

Whilst guiding athletes through their emotional turmoil and witnessing their triumphs and them overcoming their struggles has been deeply rewarding, we as psychologists can often find ourselves burdened under the weight of a story we have never lived before. The constant exposure to athletes’ struggles can lead to emotional exhaustion and compassion fatigue, as we may internalize their challenges. Under some circumstances, the very trusted friend can become a “foe” leaving us mentally exhausted.

While we hold the door for them and empathize with all that they have walked through, we might tend to over-identify and believe that the least we can do is understand their struggles and support them in the best possible manner. This can inadvertently impose immense pressure on us, potentially compromising one’s own emotional and psychological well-being.

NEVERTHELESS, a question I have been pondering over for months is – while we step out to rescue the world and empathize with others, how often do we extend the same empathy to ourselves?

From my own personal experience, I’ve come to realise that empathy, the very act of kindness and support, can often result in sport psychologists experiencing exhaustion, compassion fatigue and burnout. My recent recognition and acknowledgment of experiencing burnout has been extremely humbling, as it has served as a reminder that even those of us who offer support must, in turn, support ourselves. After all, we cannot pour out of an empty cup, and neglecting my own well-being was in some ways, diminishing my effectiveness as a sport psychologist.

To conclude, empathy is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it acts as a guiding compass in my interactions with athletes, but on the other hand, it presents some potential pitfalls. We do hold the door, not to walk in athletes’ shoes, but to offer unwavering support, understanding, and guidance. However, it is imperative for us to safeguard ourselves and practice self-care, establish and maintain clear boundaries, cultivate emotional regulation, and empower ourselves by seeking supervision to counteract the challenges that empathy can bring upon us.

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On the Field and Behind the Scenes: Challenges Encountered by Sport Psychologists During Competitions

Peering through the spectator’s lens, it is easy to be captivated by the exhilarating world of sport psychology where professionals accompany athletes to far-flung destinations, bask in the glory of victory, and the cheers of the crowd generates an electrifying aura. While being a sport psychologist is an intriguing and attractive profession, nonetheless, psychologists tend to navigate through a labyrinthine landscape that defies the glimmering facade.  

The current article unveils a gamut of challenges that sport psychologists face amidst competitive chaos, alongside offering recommendations to professionals to consider their own well-being.

Upholding confidentiality in a multi-disciplinary team

Working as a member of the multi-disciplinary team can often become demanding for sport psychologists, especially when it comes to maintaining confidentiality. In organisational settings where the sport psychologist closely collaborates with coaches, physiotherapists and other team members, it is imperative to find adequate balance between information sharing and preserving athletes confidentiality. Therefore, it is essential for practitioners to clearly outline and communicate boundaries regarding confidentiality within the multidisciplinary team.

Under extraordinary circumstances, where essential information needs to be shared with another team member for the athlete’s well-being and development, one should only disclose relevant information of the athlete (i.e., with the player and parental consent) to another member of the team (while respecting privacy and maintaining confidentiality) who requires that specific information to carry out their own responsibilities successfully. For instance, when working with an athlete, sport psychologists often collaborate with medical professionals such as physicians, physiotherapists, or nutritionists. In such cases, sharing specific psychological insights or strategies might be required to ensure a comprehensive approach to the athlete’s well-being and performance.

Incessant attentiveness and consciousness

Being immersed in fast-paced competitive events for extensive hours on the field can lead to mental and physical exhaustion, as it demands heightened alertness and consciousness on part of the sport psychologist. Continuous observations of every athlete’s performance, actively seeking feedback, along with staying attuned to the players’ needs, both individually and collectively, can be mentally and physically draining, impacting the practitioners own performance and well-being. Thereupon, it is crucial for sport psychologists to manage their own energy levels and take frequent breaks to recharge and rejuvenate in order to ensure that they continue to provide adequate support to the athletes.

In addition, when the psychologist travels with the team, stays in the same hotel, and dines with them regularly, such level of familiarity often results in blurred boundaries leaving the practitioner drained. Henceforth, while travelling with the team, it is necessary to fix and communicate clear engagement hours to the players and other support staff to strike a balance between being available to athletes and taking care of one’s own well-being.

Concurrently managing differing emotions

One of the most significant challenges that sport psychologists might experience on-site would be managing the diverse emotional states of athletes simultaneously. Some athletes would be ecstatic and overjoyed after a successful performance, while others would be disappointed and distressed after a loss. Manoeuvring such varying emotions requires one to be highly empathetic, adaptive, and responsive. In the middle of competition madness, providing validation and supporting athletes through their emotional rollercoasters can be emotionally overwhelming and exhausting for the practitioners themselves. Therefore, while being away for competitions, it is important for practitioner’s to stay connected with their social support networks (e.g., colleagues, family and friends) and share their experiences, vent frustration, and seek advice when required. Regular check-ins and communication with friends and family can provide practitioners with emotional support and maintain a sense of connectedness.

Managing one’s own stress in high-pressure and unpredictable situations

The sporting environment is often characterised as stressful, uncertain, and highly competitive and success oriented, both for athletes and the entire support team, including sport psychologists. The heightened stakes and performance expectations creates a highly stressful environment, where psychologists are expected to think on their feet, adjust their interventions last minute, and provide timely support in response to ever-changing circumstances. While sport psychologists provide athletes with adequate tools and strategies to cope with pressure effectively, it is essential for them to adopt similar stress management techniques (e.g., breathing exercises, mindfulness, journaling or any other interventions) to manage their own stress levels.

Lack of structured routines and timings, inadequate diet and sleep deprivation

Sport psychologists often operate in environments that follow unpredictable schedules, with matches or events running late or starting earlier than planned. Such lack of structure can easily make it difficult for practitioners to establish consistent routines, resulting in disrupted meal times, irregular breaks, and limited time for rest and self-care.

More often than not, practitioners might find themselves relying on quick and convenient food options or skipping meals altogether. In addition, irregular schedules and long hours on-site can result in inadequate sleep. Consequently, impairing their cognitive functioning, attention, and decision-making abilities, that can further impact their ability to effectively analyse and respond to athletes’ needs.

To mitigate this challenge, it is essential for sport psychologists to consciously prioritise their own self-care and get adequate sleep, proper nutritious meals, and maintain a routine that supports their well-being during hectic competition schedules.

To conclude, while working in the sporting ecosystem is fascinating, the challenges experienced by sport psychologists are plentiful. Practitioners embark on a demanding journey, pouring their energy, expertise and unwavering support into the athletes. Hence, amongst the whirlwind of competition, it is important for sport psychologists to practice what they preach and make sure to pause, take a breath, and prioritise their own well-being.

Here’s a gentle reminder for all practitioners spending extensive hours on-ground:

“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first”

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Nanaki’s View on the Role of Sport Psychologist During Critical Time of an Athlete’s Rehabilitation.

strategies for athletes in the time of covid 19

It will be an understatement to say that India missed two of its best sports performers, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and gymnast Dipa Karmakar, at the world championships of their respective sport this month. They are on a rehabilitation timeline, recovering from injuries that needed them to undergo surgeries – Neeraj on his right elbow and Dipa on her right knee.

From the distance, their current mindsets are as vastly different as their sports. Neeraj Chopra was reportedly keen to compete in the IAAF World Atheltics Championships in Doha while Dipa Karmakar did not take part in the trials to select the team, aware that her recovery process has remained incomplete. Make no mistake, both want to be on the rebound and in competition.

It is hard to say how much help either has received in terms of training their mind to bounce back stronger from injuries. But it is not surprising that Delhi-based sports psychologist Divya Jain of Fortis Healthcare says only a small percentage of her clients are those seeking psychological support during rehabilitation after an injury and a surgery.

So, what could be going through the minds of top Indian athletes who are in different stages of rehabilitation after surgery? Ideally, it is athletes who provide answer to the questions. Nanaki J Chadha, a former top 10 player on the Indian Golf Union charts and now a sports psychology researcher, says a lot of irrational thoughts can dominate the mind.

“Injuries are a traumatic, unpleasant experience for any athlete. For, an injury impacts an athlete mentally quite a bit. A lot of thoughts can crowd the mind: ‘Will I be able to make a comeback?’, And if I do come back, will my body be the same?’ Such things lead to irritation and frustration, too. Worse, an athlete’s self-esteem and self-confidence can take a dip,” she says.

It ties in with cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s confession about the time he was out after surgery to mend his tennis elbow. “I wondered if I would be able to play cricket ever again. After the surgery, the doctors had told me that it would take time and I needed to be patient. But like any other sportsperson, I was impatient and wanted to return to action as early as possible,” he had said.

“I went through tough times. I could not sleep at night. I thought my career was over and that I did not have the strength to hit a cricket ball again. All those thoughts started creeping in my mind. I prayed to God: ‘Give me one more chance to play the game. I want to play cricket and I can’t stop’,” Tendulkar had said.

Divya Jain, who is Head – Psychological Services, Fortis Healthcare, says the fear of losing one’s own identity is a significant factor in the mental make-up of an athlete going through lengthy rehabilitation. “Most athletes are known only for their sporting achievements and do not involve themselves in too many other things. They do not have a fall back areas of interest,” she says.