Traditional psychotherapy training frowns on anything other than face to face visits, believing that not being in the same room would render treatment ineffective.  However, new studies have confirmed that in many ways, telephonic therapy is preferable, not only because of the convenience and the fact that more visits can be obtained using the phone,  but because of the success rates!

This week, for instance, Science Daily reported a new study of individuals suffering post traumatic stress disorder “Obtaining therapy via teleconference is just as effective as face-to-face sessions,” reported Stéphane Guay, a psychiatry professor at the Université de Montréal. “Previous studies have [also] shown that phobia therapy via teleconferencing was just as efficient as face to face contact,” says Dr. Guay, who is also director of the Trauma Studies Centre at the Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital’s Fernand-Seguin Research Centre.

Even people suffering from depression are being successfully treated over the telephone. Researchers from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine found that the average attrition rate in the telephone therapy was only 7.6 percent compared to nearly 50 percent in face-to-face therapy. The telephone therapy was effective in reducing depressive symptoms with results that appear to be similar to face-to-face treatment.

In my own practice, I do see clients in person when they live close by, but using telephonic therapy enables me to work with athletes literally around the world.  Imagine the power of being able to call me prior to their events or games and getting refresher tips right when they need them the most. If I want to give them a hypnotic program, I simply record it and email it so they can download the file onto their ipods.

For athletes, as well as non-athletes, having access to quality therapy services on a regular basis is the key to success.  Telephonic treatment is a wonderful medium in which to bring about that success.

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Certified and Licensed Sport and Clinical Psychologist
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals, Division of Psychologists
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
Certified Hypnotherapist, American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis

Now, candid remarks from Robert Price, MS, who has worked as a consultant with NFL teams, reveals what goes on at the Combine regarding the Wonderlic and its scores:

“The NFL uses this assessment because this is what they have always used and they are not looking at any alternatives.  Teams themselves just do not feel comfortable with a new/better instrument…I have sat in meetings and listened to many executives use the wonderlic numbers in this manner:  We would like our defensive linemen to score here and our safeties in this range and our offensive tackles here so on and so forth.As far as the leaking of test scores I know that their are people in the room that should not be there looking at results who have given them out… Not good.”

It took a long time for professional sports teams, including NFL teams, to regulate themselves in terms of performance enhancing and illicit drugs, alcohol and domestic violence.  It’s high time they used proper psychological tools that can accurately predict such important traits as peak performance consistency, injury proneness, unresolved anger, and poor judgment.  The Wonderlic does not address any of these important NFL success criteria.  Teams which step up and run potential draft picks through current, validated assessments will surely have the advantage in both selection and on the field!

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Certified and Licensed Sport and Clinical Psychologist
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals, Division of Psychologists
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
Certified Hypnotherapist, American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis

Here’s the full text of his statement:

“The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I’m ready to start my season at Augusta.

The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it’s been a while since I last played.

I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy and I am continuing my treatment. Although I’m returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life.

When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play. I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I again want to thank them both for their support and their understanding. Those are fantastic tournaments and I look forward to competing in them again.

I would also like to thank the Augusta National members and staff for their support. I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game.”

The PGA welcomes this as their ratings have slipped since he has been absent. In fact Tiger’s announcement is great news for ESPN and CBS. Nielsen and CBS are predicting record ratings. Beyond that, most people want to see if he can pull together and start winning tournaments again.

Tiger’s personal issues (media reports claim sexual addiction) have unfortunately become fuel for the tabloids and even to some degree for respected media outlets. He has much repair work to do regarding the pristine and wholesome image which has become severely, and perhaps irreparably tarnished over the last several months.

The issue that everyone wants to address is whether Tiger can compartmentalize his personal issues with his family and focus on playing winning golf.

As a sports psychologist, that is not the key issue for me.  My hope is that Tiger understands that his recovery and ultimate sobriety from his addiction will take years of focused attention and commitment. Playing golf and convincing his wife to move back in to the family home does not make for recovery.  Instead, he needs ongoing treatment, especially since his golf travels will put him in precisely the same situations that triggered his addiction(s) in the past.

So, if Tiger is going back into the game because he believes he is “cured,” then this will serve as a major example of emotional denial. On the other hand, if he is re-entering golf in order to focus on the healthy aspects of his career, raise his confidence and use his occupation as an adjunct to (rather than instead of ) his ongoing treatment, then I believe he is truly on the road to recovery.

Ultimately, I wish him and his family the best and will continue to observe his progress with great interest.

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Certified and Licensed Sport and Clinical Psychologist
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals, Division of Psychologists
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
Certified Hypnotherapist, American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis

Who is protecting the confidentiality of psychological test scores?  This is a huge ethical violation and I hold the officials in charge of the NFL Combine responsible.

Psychological tests, whether conducted in a psychologist’s office or in a company or at the NFL Combine all fall under very strict confidentiality rules, established by the American Psychological Associations Ethics Committee.  These tests should never be administered unless a licensed psychologist, with expertise in testing and ethics, is in complete control of the testing and the dissemination of the results.

Although the athletes at the NFL Combine may sign a release so that teams can receive their results, these releases should specify that ONLY TEAM personnel receive them; they should not be available to the media.  Just imagine how you would have felt if your SAT scores were distributed to the media for publication.

Part of the problem here, is that the Wonderlic is an outdated test, with no predictive validity studies linking scores to success on the field.  There are much better assessments available to predict athletic success in competition, yet the powers in charge of the NFL Combine seem married to an archaic, rarely used assessment which according to Wonderlic’s site states that the test used as part of the NFL draft is the Wonderlic Personnel Test.

So, the first question we need to ask is why is this test still used?  So much money is spent on athletes in professional sports.  Why not spend a little money to develop an assessment that REALLY assesses this particular group?

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Certified and Licensed Sport and Clinical Psychologist
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals, Division of Psychologists
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
Certified Hypnotherapist, American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Dr. Jack Singer found on this Website as long as Dr. Jack Singer’s name and contact information is included. Jack Singer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist, Marriage, Family & Relationship Therapist, Professional Motivational Speaker. http://drjacksinger.com, toll free 800-497-9880.

Just recently an emotional LaDainian Tomlinson bid farewell to his team, to the fans who supported him from the beginning, and to the dream of playing for the San Diego Chargers through his entire, record-setting career. Several times during the questions from the press, L.T. discussed professional football being a “business,” alluding to the fact that decisions are made for business reasons, despite the feelings and desires of the players.

L.T.’s dismissal from the Chargers is like any other business laying off a loyal employee, where the message received is something like, “It doesn’t matter that you have contributed so much to our organization. You are no longer useful to us.”

Many observers claim that with the current Charger coaching staff, the running game is eschewed in favor of the pass, thus rendering L.T.’s contribution “unimportant” and his continual presence too expensive. Whether that is the reason the decision was made is not being made public, but one thing that was made public was L.T.’s candid revelation a few weeks ago that there was something wrong with the “organizational climate” this season.

Too often, professional athletes feel like they are “pieces of meat” who are revered as long as they can produce what is expected of them. Injuries are no excuse…don’t perform and we’ll find someone who will. Where is the loyalty? “It’s a business,” they say, rather than a family, where folks look out for and help each other during difficult times.

If a company’s productivity or its’ employee morale drops, they can hire a management consultant to diagnose the causes. Professional sports teams can do the same thing, but they rarely do. Instead, they just go out and look for bodies to take the place of the people they let go and hope that the “organizational climate or culture” will accommodate them. Sadly, these teams are missing the true causes of their difficulties. Their biggest assets are their athletes, yet the management of these teams rarely give them the dignity and respect to try to assess what’s happening with them, in order to right the ship.

Professional Sport Psychologists are fully equipped to help teams assess the “organizational climate or culture” issues, not only to right the ship, but to prevent problems from occurring. Perhaps if the Chargers had done this in the first place, L.T. would be finishing his glorious career with the team he loved so much.

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Certified and Licensed Sport and Clinical Psychologist
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals, Division of Psychologists
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
Certified Hypnotherapist, American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Dr. Jack Singer found on this Website as long as Dr. Jack Singer’s name and contact information is included. Jack Singer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Pyschologist, Sport Psychologist, Marriage, Family & Relationship Therapist, Professional Motivational Speaker. http://drjacksinger.com, toll free 800-497-9880.