Sports Psychology Careers
Athlete mental health, injury recovery, and group counseling practice development for athletes across all sports (basketball preferred) — built around a founding vision voiced in the Fall Kickoff.
From the Fall Kickoff — Aasha Byers
At the Fall Semester Kickoff (September 14, 2026), Aasha Byers — a Walden University student, full-time classroom teacher, and visual artist (BA studio art, AA graphic design) — shared her transition into sports psychology and her goal of working with athletes on injury-related mental health through art therapy and group counseling. She is licensed to see clients under Texas liability insurance and envisions eventually forming an athlete group-counseling practice. These postings are built directly from that vision — open to athletes across all sports, with basketball as the preferred focus.
"I am interested in transitioning into sports psychology. I want to work for the NBA... introduce them to art therapy, and basically form a group so that we can do group counseling."
— Aasha Byers, Fall Kickoff (Sept 14, 2026)
Sports Psychology Mentor & Training Development Consultant
Student Training & Development · Athlete Mental Health · Mentorship Programming
Voice Up seeks a Sports Psychology Mentor & Training Development Consultant to design and lead the student training and development programming that will build Voice Up's emerging athlete mental health practice area. This role is intentionally non-clinical in its early phase and does not involve the provision of psychotherapy, clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, or direct clinical service delivery. It is a mentor-centered role designed for an experienced professional who can shape the curriculum, mentorship framework, and professional development pathway for the next generation of sports psychology practitioners — those building toward practice serving athletes across all sports, with basketball (NBA and beyond) as the preferred focus. The mentor serves as the architect of Voice Up's student training programming and as a guide to emerging professionals, supporting Voice Up's mission: "Connect people to purpose creating positive impact that transforms societies one conversation, one person at a time." The role centers on training and developing students and emerging professionals — helping them recognize strengths, build professional identity, engage in reflective practice, explore athlete-centered career pathways, and learn to facilitate purpose-driven group experiences that integrate art therapy, mindfulness, and peer support. The position is particularly aligned with the founding vision of Aasha Byers (Walden University) — a classroom teacher and visual artist building a bridge from studio art and graphic design into athlete mental health.
Sports Psychology Intern
Athlete Mental Health · Art Therapy · Injury Recovery Pathway
Voice Up Publishing Inc. is offering a Sports Psychology Internship for emerging professionals building toward a career in athlete mental health — particularly those interested in working with athletes across all sports (basketball preferred) on injury-related mental health, art therapy, and group counseling. The intern will support the development and ongoing growth of an interdisciplinary athlete mental health and injury recovery practice, working alongside the Sports Psychology Consultant and Voice Up leadership. This role supports initiatives involving students, emerging professionals, university partnerships, athlete wellness pathways, and community-based learning environments. It is intentionally modeled on the journey of Aasha Byers — a Walden University student and full-time classroom teacher transitioning from studio art and graphic design into sports psychology. The ideal candidate is collaborative, creative, thoughtful, and interested in helping shape innovative approaches to athlete mental health that integrate the visual arts, reflective practice, and group counseling.
Sports Psychology Mentor & Training Development Consultant
Student Training & Development · Athlete Mental Health · Mentorship Programming
Reports to: Founder and Executive Director
Voice Up seeks a Sports Psychology Mentor & Training Development Consultant to design and lead the student training and development programming that will build Voice Up's emerging athlete mental health practice area. This role is intentionally non-clinical in its early phase and does not involve the provision of psychotherapy, clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, or direct clinical service delivery. It is a mentor-centered role designed for an experienced professional who can shape the curriculum, mentorship framework, and professional development pathway for the next generation of sports psychology practitioners — those building toward practice serving athletes across all sports, with basketball (NBA and beyond) as the preferred focus. The mentor serves as the architect of Voice Up's student training programming and as a guide to emerging professionals, supporting Voice Up's mission: "Connect people to purpose creating positive impact that transforms societies one conversation, one person at a time." The role centers on training and developing students and emerging professionals — helping them recognize strengths, build professional identity, engage in reflective practice, explore athlete-centered career pathways, and learn to facilitate purpose-driven group experiences that integrate art therapy, mindfulness, and peer support. The position is particularly aligned with the founding vision of Aasha Byers (Walden University) — a classroom teacher and visual artist building a bridge from studio art and graphic design into athlete mental health.
Growth Opportunity: As the training program matures and partnerships expand across professional sports, this mentor role may evolve into a larger leadership opportunity with increased responsibilities — including directing a dedicated student training institute and founding an athlete group-counseling practice led by the graduates it develops.
Primary Responsibilities
Student Training & Curriculum Development
- Design and lead the sports psychology student training and development curriculum for Voice Up practicum students and interns.
- Develop learning modules, case studies, and reflective exercises aligned with sport psychology competencies and Voice Up's five core principles.
- Build a structured mentorship pathway that prepares emerging professionals for careers in athlete mental health across all sports (basketball preferred).
- Create assessment and feedback frameworks to evaluate student growth and readiness for advanced practice.
- Continuously refine programming based on student progress, field developments, and evolving industry standards.
Mentorship & Professional Development
- Provide one-on-one and group mentorship to sports psychology interns and emerging professionals.
- Guide students in identifying transferable skills between teaching, the arts, and athlete mental health.
- Support reflective practice initiatives that help students develop professional identity and ethical judgment.
- Model and encourage cultural responsiveness, humility, and professional accountability in all training contexts.
- Help students map their individual pathways from graduate study into sports psychology practice.
Program Design for Athlete-Centered Practice
- Co-design the reflective learning activities and group frameworks that students will eventually facilitate with athletes.
- Support development of training models integrating art therapy, visual expression, and mindfulness for injury recovery populations.
- Advise on appropriate role boundaries between mentoring, consulting, coaching, and licensed clinical care as students learn them.
- Provide guidance on building a staged, long-term roadmap toward professional sports engagement.
Interdisciplinary & Partnership Collaboration
- Participate in meetings with sports medicine, rehabilitation, and behavioral health partners to inform training content.
- Contribute subject matter expertise that shapes student understanding of athlete mental health and injury recovery.
- Assist with relationship cultivation across professional sports networks to create future student field and practicum opportunities.
- Promote collaborative problem-solving across clinical, creative, and performance disciplines within the training program.
Quality, Ethics & Standards Guidance
- Instill ethical, professional, and mission-aligned practices in all student training and athlete-facing work.
- Teach professional standards applicable to non-clinical sports psychology consulting (e.g., AASP Code of Ethics).
- Support organizational efforts to maintain quality improvement practices across the training program.
- Assist leadership in identifying potential risks and mitigation strategies as the practice area develops.
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree (or active graduate study) in Sport Psychology, Kinesiology with a sport psychology focus, Clinical or Counseling Psychology, or a closely related field.
- Foundational training in performance psychology, mental skills training, and athlete-centered consultation.
- Working knowledge of sport psychology ethics and professional standards (e.g., AASP / Association for Applied Sport Psychology Code of Ethics).
- Understanding of the psychological dimensions of injury recovery, athletic identity transition, and return-to-play processes.
- Active professional liability insurance coverage (e.g., Texas liability insurance) or eligibility to obtain it.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to translate psychological concepts for athletes and multidisciplinary staff.
- Strong organizational, professional judgment, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently in a remote and flexible environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certification or candidacy as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through AASP, or equivalent recognized credential.
- Direct experience consulting with athletes, teams, or sports organizations at the collegiate, elite, or professional level.
- Familiarity with professional sports or elite athlete environments (basketball preferred; all sports eligible).
- Background in the visual arts, art therapy, or creative expression as a therapeutic modality.
- Group counseling or group facilitation experience.
- Experience teaching, coaching, or mentoring in classroom or community settings.
- Workforce development or internship program design.
- Cultural responsiveness and trauma-informed engagement practices.
- Human-centered artificial intelligence workforce applications.
- Grant-funded initiatives and collaborative projects.
Core Competencies & Attributes
Next Steps
Submit Your Resume
Send your resume or CV, a brief statement of interest, and relevant experience to our team.
Submit ResumeSchedule an Interview
Meet with our founder to discuss the role, Voice Up's mission, and how you can contribute to athlete mental health initiatives.
Schedule InterviewLearn About the Founder
Read the founder's letter to understand the vision and values that drive Voice Up.
Read LetterFree account creation required
Sports Psychology Intern
Athlete Mental Health · Art Therapy · Injury Recovery Pathway
Voice Up Publishing Inc. is offering a Sports Psychology Internship for emerging professionals building toward a career in athlete mental health — particularly those interested in working with athletes across all sports (basketball preferred) on injury-related mental health, art therapy, and group counseling. The intern will support the development and ongoing growth of an interdisciplinary athlete mental health and injury recovery practice, working alongside the Sports Psychology Consultant and Voice Up leadership. This role supports initiatives involving students, emerging professionals, university partnerships, athlete wellness pathways, and community-based learning environments. It is intentionally modeled on the journey of Aasha Byers — a Walden University student and full-time classroom teacher transitioning from studio art and graphic design into sports psychology. The ideal candidate is collaborative, creative, thoughtful, and interested in helping shape innovative approaches to athlete mental health that integrate the visual arts, reflective practice, and group counseling.
Primary Responsibilities
Practice Development Support
- Support the design of reflective learning activities that integrate art therapy and mindfulness for injured athletes.
- Assist in developing group counseling frameworks tailored to injury recovery and athletic identity transition.
- Contribute to participant development frameworks focused on communication, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Help document and refine the staged roadmap toward professional sports engagement.
Reflective Learning & Case Study Engagement
- Complete weekly Voice Up case studies aligned with CSWE competencies and athlete mental health themes.
- Engage in reflective practice exercises grounded in Voice Up's five core principles.
- Support development of professional identity formation exercises for emerging sports psychology professionals.
- Provide guidance related to ethical reasoning, cultural responsiveness, and trauma-informed engagement.
University & Community Partnership Collaboration
- Collaborate with university and community partners connected to psychology, social work, and sports medicine.
- Support interdisciplinary collaboration and participant engagement strategies.
- Provide consultation regarding student support and community-centered learning environments.
Creative & Therapeutic Arts Integration
- Contribute visual art, graphic design, and creative expression expertise to athlete-facing materials.
- Assist in piloting art therapy group counseling sessions for injury recovery populations.
- Help ensure participant-centered and community-responsive implementation practices.
Strategic & Program Development Support
- Participate in periodic strategic planning and program development discussions.
- Provide input related to participant engagement, ethical considerations, and workforce support strategies.
- Assist in identifying opportunities to strengthen participant experience and workforce readiness.
Required Qualifications
- Current graduate student in psychology, social work, counseling, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated interest in sports psychology, athlete mental health, or injury recovery.
- Background or strong interest in the visual arts, art therapy, or creative expression.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to commit to an estimated 8–12 hours per month in a remote and flexible environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Classroom teaching, coaching, or mentoring experience.
- Group facilitation or peer support experience.
- Familiarity with professional sports or elite athlete environments (basketball preferred; all sports eligible).
- Active professional liability insurance coverage (e.g., Texas liability insurance).
- HBCU affiliation or connection to historically Black educational institutions.
- Cultural responsiveness and trauma-informed engagement practices.
- Interest in human-centered artificial intelligence workforce applications.
Desired Skills & Attributes
Next Steps
Submit Your Resume
Send your resume or CV, a brief statement of interest, and relevant experience to our team.
Submit ResumeSchedule an Interview
Meet with our founder to discuss the role, Voice Up's mission, and how you can contribute to athlete mental health initiatives.
Schedule InterviewLearn About the Founder
Read the founder's letter to understand the vision and values that drive Voice Up.
Read LetterFree account creation required