Ian Cookson - Sport Psychology

Ian Cookson - Sport Psychology I also hold a doctorate in psychology from MMU. Get in touch for more info. In brief a psychologist helps us understand human behaviour.

I am a sport and exercise psychologist in training (SEPiT) with CASES working with athletes and sporting teams on issues like motivation, confidence, values and communication! I am a sport and exercise psychologist in training (SEPiT) on the BASES pathway, working under the supervision of an accredited sport and exercise psychologist. In a sporting context that might mean issues such as anxiety, m

otivation, stress, and confidence related to performance. Additionally from a team perspective we might look at values, cohesiveness and role clarity. As a sport psychologist I can work with you to develop an understanding of how psychology can improve performance, and develop skills and techniques to develop your ability to thrive in competition. As a practitioner your confidentiality is imperative and I follow the BASES code of conduct. I have an enhanced DBS check, and have undertaken safeguarding training in order to ensure I am operating to the highest ethical standards.

More work on belonging with - what I love is the engagement, the lack of cynicism.
10/05/2026

More work on belonging with - what I love is the engagement, the lack of cynicism.

You might notice that I don't post pictures with or of clients, and you only get my ugly mush now and again. But it is c...
08/05/2026

You might notice that I don't post pictures with or of clients, and you only get my ugly mush now and again. But it is critical that ethically I don't break the confidentiality or anonymity of any of my clients. You can see the impact of my work through testimonials on my website. https://iancooksonsportpsychology.co.uk/

16/04/2026
20/03/2026

New episode is live: Team Resilience in Women’s Football with Dr Adrienn Szabadics
In today’s episode, we explore what team resilience really means inside high‑performance women’s football. Dr Ian Cookson hosts Dr Adrienn Szabadics and she shares research‑driven insights from players, staff and governing bodies, revealing:
• Why team resilience is a psychosocial process, not just individual toughness
• The organisational pressures players face and the impact of resource gaps
• How emotional contagion affects performance and decision‑making
• What shared leadership should look like beyond traditional captain roles
• How teams can intentionally build identity, communication and trust
• The cycle of preparing for, managing and learning from challenge
If you’re a coach, psychologist, parent or player, this episode offers practical takeaways grounded entirely in the realities of elite environments.
Listen now: https://zurl.co/3wxLx

19/03/2026

New episode dropping tomorrow.
We’re joined by Dr Adrienn Szabadics for a fascinating look at team resilience in high‑performance women’s football. This episode digs into issues raised directly by players and staff:
• How organisational pressures shape performance
• Why team identity is a protective buffer under stress
• Emotional contagion and its impact on on‑pitch decision‑making
• The real importance of leadership groups and shared roles
• Why resilience isn’t a fixed trait but a continuous process of preparing, managing and learning
If you work in coaching, psychology, player development or simply care about women’s sport, this discussion offers grounded, research‑led insight based solely on the lived experience of elite players.
Episode out tomorrow. Stay tuned.

10/03/2026
What has a cannon got to do with sport psychology? Well... there is a "canon" of psychological skills that every athlete...
18/02/2026

What has a cannon got to do with sport psychology? Well... there is a "canon" of psychological skills that every athlete should know. Imagery or visualisation, self-talk, relaxation, goal setting and focus. If you're in south Manchester or Stockport and would like a FREE 1 hour talk on these core skills then get in touch. Photo credit: Dennis Jarvis on Flickr

A couple of great testimonials recently.Parent of junior female footballer"Really liked the personalisation of the sessi...
13/02/2026

A couple of great testimonials recently.

Parent of junior female footballer
"Really liked the personalisation of the sessions guided by the service user preferences/goals for the session outcomes."

Female kayaker
" I was able to reflect positively on a sport I now no longer participate in. Ian helped me to reframe my thoughts and to be grateful for all the positive experiences associated with it. Very empathetic. Excellent listener. Great interpersonal skills."

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