A revised approach to professional philosophy for sport and exercise psychology practitioners

Professional philosophy is an important part of training and practice for trainee and qualified sport and exercise psychology practitioners (SEPPs) alike. Despite this, there remains limited literature addressing the philosophical premises relevant to the field, and how to navigate them. In this paper, the authors provide an account of how to approach professional philosophy, derived from both their experience teaching philosophy of practice to neophyte SEPPs and their experiences as practitioners. This account is the culmination of a reevaluation of the existing literature in conjunction with the recent changes in the applied field of sport and exercise psychology, and an examination of both the philosophical inheritance of sport and exercise psychology and the broader philosophical literature (e.g., philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, axiology). Given that SEPPs typically receive little, if any, professional philosophical guidance, this paper unpacks and aims to make accessible the components of a professional philosophy, and guides practitioners in interrogating and establishing their professional philosophy using the Philosophy Onion. Lay Summary: This paper introduces a revised model of professional philosophy for applied sport and exercise psychology practitioners. It addresses the challenge of navigating philosophy in the field by offering a dynamic, accessible framework to explore fundamental assumptions, theories, and practices. The “Philosophy Onion” model aids practitioners in aligning their philosophy with their applied work. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: • Practitioners are encouraged to develop a deeper understanding of their own philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, and axiology to ensure congruence between their theoretical assumptions, therapeutic modalities, and practical methods. • The “Philosophy Onion” model can help practitioners navigate the dynamic and context-dependent nature of sport and exercise psychology. This model supports the integration of diverse philosophical perspectives and adapts to varied professional contexts.