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Cited by 7Sport Psychology and PerformancePsychological Treatments and AssessmentsMindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Develop Self-Confidence in a Neurodivergent Athlete

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Wood, Samuel, Turner, Martin J.·2024·Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology
DOI 10.1123/cssep.2023-0040
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Abstract

This case study outlines the sport psychology service delivery provided to a 17-year-old international-level competitive figure skater. The client had a diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder and reported experiencing low self-confidence, which hindered his performance in training and competition. An acceptance and commitment therapy intervention was implemented over 25 sessions across a 15-month period. The aim of the intervention was to develop self-confidence by encouraging acceptance of unhelpful thoughts, rather than changing or removing them, to move the client toward the athlete he wanted to be. This case offers a novel contribution to the wider literature by reporting an acceptance and commitment therapy intervention to develop self-confidence in sport. We report how psychological flexibility was achieved through exercises to “unhook” the client from his thoughts around perfection and self-imposed pressure. Reflections from the client and practitioner capture the evaluation of the service delivery process.

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  • Collectively, prior studies support ACT as an effective intervention in reducing perfectionistic concerns, alleviating self-doubt, and mitigating IP.

    “Collectively, these studies support ACT as an effective intervention in reducing perfectionistic concerns, alleviating self-doubt, and mitigating IP.”

    From The Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Internalized Shame, Fear of Success, and Anxiety Sensitivity in Nursing With Imposter (2025) · cites this paper as [34]

    In “What Progress do you Feel You’ve Made During Our Work Together?” (page not specified), the athlete reported improved confidence and less overthinking after ACT, supporting the self-doubt portion. The paper discusses thoughts about perfection and self-imposed pressure, but does not establish a reduction in perfectionistic concerns; it does not address impostor phenomenon (IP). Its evidence is a single-athlete case study, not a general finding of effectiveness across all three outcomes. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • In a case study, 25 ACT-based intervention sessions led to increased psychological flexibility, reduced self-imposed pressure, and improved self-efficacy in a competitive figure skater with autism.

    “Over 25 ACT-based intervention sessions, the athlete learned to accept unhelpful thoughts rather than struggle against them, leading to increased psychological flexibility, reduced self-imposed pressure, and improved self-efficacy.”

    From The Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Internalized Shame, Fear of Success, and Anxiety Sensitivity in Nursing With Imposter (2025) · cites this paper as [34]

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Research works printed but not linked: 49

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Authors
Wood, S., & Turner, M. J.
Affiliations
Manchester Metropolitan University (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Publisher
Human Kinetics
Published
2024
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
37-46
ISSN
  • 2470-4849 (ISSN-L)
  • 2470-4857
DOI
10.1123/cssep.2023-0040
OpenAlex
W4396573347
Cited by
7
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3
FWCI
5.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • e-space (Manchester Metropolitan University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Keywords
acceptance and commitment therapy, self-confidence, autism spectrum disorder, figure skating, psychological flexibility, perfectionism, sport psychology intervention, service delivery

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