Chris Wagstaff

Background

About Chris Wagstaff

I'm a performance psychologist and divide my time between research, consultancy, and the training and development of practitioners. Roles I am accredited by and registered with BPS, HCPC, AASP and BASES. I’m also an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I currently hold positions as a Senior Performance Psychologist with Changing Minds UK Ltd and a Reader in Applied Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. I was previously Head of Performance Psychology for the English Institute of Sport. I hold Editor and Associate Editor positions at JASP, SEPR, IJSEP, and CSSEP and developed the first HCPC-approved Prof Doc in Sport and Exercise Psychology. I also work in an advisory capacity as a Registration Assessor for BASES and HCPC and provide supervision to probationary practitioners undertaking supervised experience (BASES) and Stage II supervised practice (BPS) qualifications. Research My research focuses on the psychology of elite performance, principally through an organisational or systems lens. Specifically, my work examines how individuals, teams and organisations thrive in high-pressure environments. This work has been presented in over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and an edited book “Organisational psychology in sport: key issues and practical applications” (2017, Routledge). Consultancy I consult with a diverse range of clients including, business executives, senior military officers, and international, Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches and support staff. In this work I use techniques typically aligned with Humanistic, Existential and third wave Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Clients include FTSE100 Companies, the British Army, Navy and Air Force, National Health Service, British Olympic Association, and numerous clients in the Barclay's Premier League, County Cricket, and Aviva Premiership.