Research led by the wonderful Alessandro Quartiroli and colleagues (for example ​2021​, ​2022​, ​2024​, ​2024​) paints a clear picture of the current state of continuing education in applied sport psychology — and it’s one we can’t ignore.

From my personal experience and the results from multiple studies across different countries and career stages it becomes clear, that sport psychology professionals reported that they believe continuing education is important. Yet in practice, very few actually engage in it regularly — and even fewer participate consistently in supervision or intervision.

Some key challenges stand out:

Time and workload: Practitioners are often overwhelmed by daily demands and client sessions.

Lack of access or affordability: Opportunities for CE, supervision, or peer learning are sometimes hard to find or simply too expensive.

Perceived sufficiency: Many feel that once they’re certified or have years of experience, they no longer need structured learning.

But here’s what the research also makes clear:

Without ongoing learning, reflection, and professional dialogue, we risk becoming stagnant. Our methods fall behind, our perspective narrows, and we lose touch with both innovation and ethical growth.

Continuing education isn’t just about learning new techniques — it’s about staying competent, responsible, and connected to the evolving demands of our field. It’s about avoiding blind spots and maintaining a standard of care that reflects the complexity of our work.

If we want our profession to be respected, trusted, and valued, we have to keep growing — not just as individuals, but as a community.

So no — continuing education and more precisely lifelong learning shouldn’t be optional.

It should be part of our identity as professionals who care deeply about the people we serve and the impact we have.

A few years ago, I made the decision to pursue an additional Master’s degree — in Coaching, Supervision, Mediation, and Organizational Development.

This wasn’t because I needed another title. I already had a PhD. I had been working in applied sport psychology for years. From the outside, I was already “qualified.”

So naturally, people asked: “Why would you go back to school again?”

My answer was simple: because I want to keep getting better.

That program challenged me on many levels. It deepened my understanding of how people change, how systems work, and how I can be more effective in supporting athletes, teams, and organizations. Just as importantly, it reminded me what it feels like to be a learner again — curious, uncertain, and open.

And I believe that experience made me better — not just as a professional, but as a human being in a helping role.

That doesn’t mean that everyone should follow the same path or do things the way I did. And this isn’t about collecting degrees or proving something. It’s not to brag.

For me, continuing to learn and refine my skills is part of what helps me feel grounded, responsible, and professionally alive.

At the same time, I’ve heard many colleagues say they value continuing education — but rarely take part in it. There’s always something else that feels more urgent. And I get it: life is full. Time and energy are limited. But if we’re serious about staying competent and doing meaningful work, we have to make space for learning — no matter how experienced we already are.

Because competence isn’t a fixed state — it’s a commitment.

In sport psychology, we work in complex, high-stakes environments — often under pressure, often behind the scenes, and almost always in relationship with others. Our decisions, our words, and even our silences can have a real impact on the athletes, coaches, and teams we support.

That’s why I believe continuing education, supervision, and shared reflection aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re essential for lifelong learning. Not just for staying “up to date,” but for staying responsible, ethical, and self-aware in a field that constantly evolves.

When we keep learning, we:

• Broaden our perspective
• Sharpen our judgment
• Deepen our self-reflection
• And challenge assumptions that might otherwise go unnoticed

And when we don’t? We risk relying too much on routine. We risk repeating mistakes. We risk becoming disconnected from the very standards we want others to respect.

If we want athletes, coaches, and organizations to take our work seriously — we have to show them that we take our own development seriously too.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up — committed to the process, open to growth, and willing to learn from others along the way.

Now, please take a moment and ask yourself:

• When was the last time I actively invested in my own professional development — not because I had to, but because I wanted to grow?
• What area of my current practice would benefit from fresh input, honest feedback, or new inspiration?
• What’s one step I’ve been postponing — and why?

I believe that asking ourselves these kinds of questions is a key part of reflective practice — and an important way to help ensure we maintain the quality and integrity of our work with clients in sport.

If this topic resonates with you, here are a few simple steps you can take this week:

• Explore what’s available: Look into continuing education opportunities in your local or national network — workshops, online courses, certification programs, or upcoming conferences.
• Reach out to a peer: Ask a trusted colleague if they’d be open to starting a supervision or intervision group with you. It doesn’t need to be formal — just regular and reflective.
• ​Join us at VSP+​: We offer accessible, high-quality opportunities for reflection, exchange, and growth — including group supervision, monthly workshops, and open office hours. All at a rate far below standard supervision or workshop fees — because we believe learning should be accessible.

Continuing education, supervision, shared reflection and lifelong learning aren’t just professional extras — they’re essential to the quality, credibility, and sustainability of our work in sport psychology. Research shows that while many of us value these practices in theory, far fewer put them into action. I’ve felt that tension myself — and I’ve also experienced the deep impact that renewed learning and peer exchange can have on how we show up for our clients.

Whether it’s through asking ourselves better questions, investing in personal development, or creating spaces to learn with and from others — we all have the power to shape not just our own practice, but the culture of our profession. And that’s what we’re building together at ​VSP+​: a supportive community where growth is collaborative, accessible, and rooted in everyday realities.

Let’s keep learning. Let’s keep raising the bar.

Because we’re powerful alone — but better together.