Cognitive-Constructive Psychotherapy for an Athlete's Harmful Competitive Anxiety, With a Schema Therapy Perspective on the Clinical Material: A Case Study.

Abstract

This case illustrates the therapeutic effect of brief cognitive-constructive psychotherapy on an athlete struggling with harmful competitive anxiety. The case material was also later reinterpreted using the framework of schema therapy. The purpose of the intervention was to increase the client's self-awareness and understanding of the ways in which she perceives, understands, accepts, and interprets her beliefs. The focus of this case is on the athlete's personal harmful competitive anxiety and the change in beliefs and anxiety during and after therapy. The original analysis method used was assimilation analysis, and the reinterpretation was based on the reflection on the case material using concepts of schema therapy. The results support the introduction of both cognitive-constructive and schema therapy to help athletes manage their belief systems and harmful competitive anxiety. Treatment differences, effects, and recommendations are discussed.