Gisele Silva explains the role of psychologists in football

Fans of the Ted Lasso series, produced by Apple TV +, meet a new character in season two: psychologist Sharon. Newly appointed Richmond has arrived at the AFC to contribute to the England squad’s routine and performance. But the importance of sports psychology isn’t just about the screen.

inside Palm treesPsychologist Gisele Silva works in this department. He started his activity in futsal, passing through the youth categories until he reached professional football, at the end of last year. Working with high-performance sports such as football, Giselle highlights the preventive and ongoing work of sports psychology to achieve results on the field.

We look at living conditions, personal issues, how this player feels within the organization, the methodology of the game and the relationship with other teammates. Our idea is to work so that this athlete can adapt to what the club offers, does not lose his life purpose, does not lose the specific circumstances of his identity, his essence, and here he can act, to be who he is, but also to maintain mental health among the challenges that the sport asks for – she says .

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The intense marathon of the decisive matches played by Palmeiras last season, with the matches of the Libertadores, the Copa del Rey and Brasiliao, highlights the importance of the psychologist’s work in the development of players. Taking care of all the areas that affect athletes – physical, tactical and mental – is key to facing the phases of high demand, focus, expectation, and anxiety.

I follow training sessions, do some considerations with the athlete on the edge of the field when there is a need, and update specific demands I work with. It is important for us to be able to look at it in a way that favors reflections and to look at this athlete as a normal human being, like me, like you, and understand that he is not a machine. Athletes are people who have problems, they are people who find it difficult to deal with things that are probably easier for me, but more difficult for them.

Recalling episodes that occurred at the Olympics, such as the case of American gymnast Simone Biles, who withdrew from the team finals competition and is contemplating her mental health, Gisele believes these situations contribute to and deconstruct controversy. Picture that this professional only deals with problems.

With September Yellow, the month dedicated to mental health care, Giselle highlights the importance of this discussion to our community.

– I think it is very important for us to devote a month to discussing the issue of mental health. These discussions begin to expand knowledge about the professional in psychology and how they can contribute. We are not here to deal with problems exclusively, but to work with athletes on the most appropriate coping strategies so that they can, accordingly, enter into the most appropriate and productive process of adaptation and make them feel satisfied, happy and capable. Offer the best.

Giselle has been working in Palmeiras since 2009. Currently, the psychologist works with Verdau’s professional team.

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