The Ghost of Coach Past: How a Past Relationship With a Coach Can Influence Sport Psychology Service Delivery

This reflective case study outlines a trainee sport and exercise psychologist’s experiences of collaborating with their ex-coach to support a 15-year-old basketball player. The objective of the intervention was to increase the basketball player’s self-efficacy. To achieve the intervention goals, a preperformance routine was designed. The case study highlights the realities of working collaboratively during the development and implementation of the intervention with someone who used to be a key figure in the trainee practitioner’s life. This case offers a novel contribution to the sport psychology literature by openly discussing countertransference, personal challenges such as need for approval and validation, and past sport experiences that may impact service delivery. Based on the highlighted experiences and reflections, recommendations for future practice are provided.