Who is Chris Fivash ?
Hi, I’m Chris, a HCPC registered Sport & Exercise Psychologist (PYL043658). I have a Masters in Applied Sport & Exercise Sciences, and a BSc (Hons.) Sport Science. I am also qualified at the primary level in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) and a Mental Health First Aider. I have been working as a sport & exercise scientist since 2015. I currently work as a consultant with the University of Gloucestershire’s sport scholarship programme working as a practitioner on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) programme. I have also worked with the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) delivering support to a club in the WSL. While working as a Sport Scientist and sport psychologist I have worked with teams and individuals across a wide range of sports including:
Hockey
Swimming
Rugby union
Rugby League
Football
Athletics
Gymanstics
Tennis
Match Officials
Triathlon
Archery
Martial Arts
Netball
Cycling
Rowing
While working with these teams and individuals I have worked towards enhancing team cohesion, stress management and motivation. My other interests in performance psychology include mental skills training and mental toughness. My thesis at masters level focused on mental toughness investigating it’s construction and how it is developed.
Approach to practice
Within my work I use a combination of approaches but draw upon Acceptance Commitment Therapy (pronounced act; Hayes et al., 2012). Using this approach I work with clients to help them drop the struggle with their thoughts, feelings and emotions. The aim is to enable the individual to engage in values activities and being present in the moment rather than becoming caught up in all the stories and statements that our minds tell us all the time. In our work together we will work to develop new skills to allow you to open up to unwanted and uncomfortable thoughts and feeling, be present in the moment and not dwelling on past experiences or possible future, and do what matters by engaging in behaviours and activities that are important to you based on your values.