What Is Sport Based Therapy?

• Designing activities that can be combined with soccer to support players and participants with their mental health.
• Strengthening existing social and emotional learning activities to have a stronger therapeutic basis.
• Supporting colleagues to understand the basics of how soccer can be used as a force for good.
• Strengthening funding bids by showing the basis and benefits of the approach.
• Supporting mental health professionals to use soccer as part of their practice. 

This is a tool that can build your understanding of this important approach and equip you to advocate for it. It helps you answer some of the key questions that stakeholders will have about sport-based therapy - ‘what’s it based on’, and ‘does it work’. 

• It’s recommended that delivery of sport-based therapy is always accompanied by appropriate staff training, and in partnership with a clinical mental health specialist (using this resource does not mean Doc Wayne endorses an organization’s approach). Do you have links to clinical partners in your community who could support you to deliver sport-based therapy?
• To help you introduce sport-based therapy into your programming, what skills and qualifications would you need represented on your team, and what training would support staff to work safely and effectively?
• How could you ensure the wellbeing of staff who take on sport-based therapy delivery?
• ‘Therapy’ can be an intimidating word for players and parents and may raise concerns about a soccer team going being its remit. How could you frame it to be optional, appropriate and positive?
• Resources and strategies like this can help coaches and other people working in soccer to support players with their mental health. It’s important to note that these approaches do not replace a need for professional treatment, care, and consultation.
• If you have a safeguarding concern regarding a player or participant, please visit the USSF Safeguarding Hub for comprehensive advice and guidance. If you think someone is at immediate risk please treat this as an emergency and contact your local emergency services. 

Doc Wayne delivers therapy that moves you. As the first and only provider of sport-based therapy, we use sports, games, and movement to make mental health care engaging and effective. In team-like settings, our Coach Clinicians help youth build resilience, coping skills, and a sense of belonging. We don't stop there. Lasting change comes when entire communities are involved. That’s why we also deliver training and traditional outpatient clinical support for adults—teachers, clinicians, coaches, mentors, community leaders, and more—equipping them with the tools to support themselves and reinforce healing and growth in others. Together, we create stronger connections and real results on and off the field.