Practitioner's Corner
Michael Kong interviewed Dr. Henry Li, a sport psychologist originally from Hong Kong. Henry completed his Doctor of Psychology in Australia and currently works with elite athletes at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. In this interview, Henry shares his career journey in the field of sport psychology and provides advice for aspiring practitioners.
Writer:
Man Ho Kong (Michael), MS, CMPC
Interviewee:
Henry Li, DPsych, ISSP-R
Michael: Thank you for doing this interview with me, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Henry: I studied psychology for my bachelor’s degree in Hong Kong. I’ve always been interested in hands-on, practical work, and I also enjoy participating in sports myself, although I wouldn’t say I am at a highly competitive level. During my undergraduate program, I had the opportunity to take several sports psychology courses, which sparked my fascination with the field and motivated me to learn more. That’s why I decided to pursue a postgraduate degree in sports psychology in Australia.
After completing my studies, I worked as a counselor for a short period of time to gain practical experience in the field. Following that, I sought an entry-level position at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, aiming to apply my academic knowledge in a professional sports setting. I started from the ground up and gradually worked my way up over the years. Currently, I hold the position of Senior Sports Psychologist at the Institute, where I utilize my training and skills to support high-performance athletes. It has been incredibly rewarding to help elite competitors enhance their mental game and overall performance.
Michael: What initially sparked your interest in pursuing a career in sport psychology?
Henry: To be honest, there wasn’t a single defining reason that suddenly sparked my interest in sport psychology. The truth is, I was introduced to and became aware of sport psychology during my undergraduate studies. In my generation, and even now, Hong Kong places a strong emphasis on the medical model, with clinical psychology and educational psychology being more popular fields of study. Counselling psychology, on the other hand, wasn’t as established.
However, after learning about sport psychology, I recognized its potential for growth and development in Hong Kong. Therefore, after completing my postgraduate training overseas, I made it my goal to bring sport psychology back to Hong Kong and help promote and expand it further here. I wanted to establish it as a reputable specialty, considering Hong Kong’s dedication to athletics and high performance. I saw an opportunity to make meaningful contributions in this niche area.
Michael: I understand that you completed your D.Psych in Australia. Could you elaborate on the reasons behind your decision to study there?
Henry: Besides the fact there were no postgraduate sport psychology programs available in Hong Kong at the time, there were a few other key reasons why I chose to study in Australia. Firstly, during my undergraduate studies in Hong Kong, some professors who had returned from Australia recommended that I pursue further education there. They also provided me with contacts of relevant professors in Australia whose research interests aligned well with my own. I was choosing specific individuals rather than just universities.
Additionally, I was interested in becoming a registered psychologist in Australia after my studies, and the program structure in Australia suited my goals. Lastly, I went to study in Australia not long after the 2000 Sydney Olympics, which had significantly increased the resources and focus on sport science disciplines in universities there. Overall, these personal and program factors contributed to my decision to pursue my further education “Down Under”.
Michael: Can you provide some insights into your past practical experience in both Australia and China? How does it differ from your current work in Hong Kong?
Henry: During my fieldwork experience in Australia, I found it relatively easier to integrate sport psychology because people there had a deeper understanding and awareness of sport psychology compared to other places. The demands from coaches were also more specific, and some coaches themselves had a background in sport psychology. This led to occasions where we would engage in debates or arguments over certain topics. However, overall, the process of blending different approaches was relatively smooth.
In China and Hong Kong, while everyone recognizes the importance of psychology, many people don’t have a clear understanding of how to implement training methods. Coaches in these regions tend to focus more on results rather than the process and may not pay as much attention to the techniques used. Additionally, in the local culture, coaches place great emphasis on team relationships. As a result, sport psychologists could expect to spend a significant amount of time socializing with athletes, and if they are younger, they may even be invited to join training sessions.
Michael: Have you encountered any cultural differences that have influenced your judgment and decision-making? Could you provide a specific example?
Henry: It may not be solely due to cultural differences, but the nature of pressure experienced by the teams I worked with in Australia may not have been as similar to the pressure faced by the elite athletes I serve in China and Hong Kong. While stress responses can be similar, elite athletes often carry the expectations of an entire supporting team or even their city on their shoulders, which can make them feel responsible for these groups. This can make it harder for them to rely solely on pure enjoyment as a driving force compared to athletes at lower levels.
In addition to the pressures from the competition level, these differences may also stem from variations between collectivism and individualism. National-level athletes in Hong Kong often view themselves as representatives of not just themselves, but their entire community. As a result, the psychological burden can be heavier when the stakes feel higher, and one’s performances are tied to much broader outcomes beyond the individual. More work may need to be done to find a balance between shouldering this burden and maintaining well-being and intrinsic motivation over the long term.
Michael: As you recently worked with the Hong Kong team at the Asian Games, could you share an interesting experience from that event？
Henry: During the Asian Games, our sport psychology team was part of the larger medical team. In addition to working with our own delegations during training and competitions, we also opened our services up to make appointments with any Hong Kong athlete.
Apart from assisting the athletes from the Hong Kong Sport Institute in achieving their goals at the Games, another intriguing aspect for me personally was the interest shown by athletes from sport not directly affiliated with the Hong Kong Sport Institute. This gave me the opportunity to engage with new athlete populations. Some had prior sport psychology training while others did not. Overall, it provided a great fresh experience for me.
Michael: What suggestions or tips do you have for students considering studying abroad and pursuing a career in sport and performance psychology?
Henry: I think sport psychology programs nowadays have developed to a mature level, as long as the core knowledge is covered, that is sufficient. What I feel is more important to consider is thinking longer term, whether graduates want to work abroad or return to their home country after studies. If you’re looking to work overseas, it’s important to understand the local registration systems.
I also advise students to keep more options open for themselves, as global mobility is high now, and your career can develop in many different places. In addition to practical work, they could also consider getting experience in research. The field continues to evolve rapidly, so maintaining a flexibility of thought will serve graduates well as new opportunities emerge over the course of their careers. Specializing too narrowly early on may limit their choices down the road.
Michael: Lastly, do you have any final thoughts or advice for international professionals or novice practitioners who are exploring careers in sport psychology?
Henry: The most valuable part of university training is learning therapeutic skills. But equally if not more important, is ongoing supervision and development later on. Both newly graduated and more senior sport psychologists should aim to expose themselves to knowledge from different areas of psychology as much as possible, including counselling psychology and clinical psychology. This will greatly benefit one’s career progression.