This project will be a pilot study to test the feasibility of using Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) among competitive athletes experiencing mild-to-moderate depression or anxiety. To test whether the intervention works, the researchers will assess athletes' emotion dysregulation, symptoms of mood disorders (anxiety and depression), sport-related distress, subjective performance satisfaction, and well-being. In addition to assessing athlete outcomes, key aspects to be examined in the pilot study include the recruitment and randomization procedures, informed consent procedures, data collection tools, implementation of the intervention, and retention of participants. Feasibility will be assessed by recruitment (willingness to be randomized, number of eligible participants in the recruitment process). Retention will be assessed by the number of athletes who continue or discontinue attendance. Participants' experiences in the intervention will be assessed via qualitative interviews to gain in-depth information about their perceptions of the intervention.

This project will be a pilot study to test the feasibility of using Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) among 24 competitive athletes over the age of 18 in Ontario. Athletes will be screened and allocated to receive 12 weekly one-hour sessions of Emotion Focused Therapy, or they will be allocated to a wait-list control group.

Screening: Participants interested in the study can contact the study coordinator, who will provide them with information about the study and conduct an initial screening process to ask them their age, competitive level, and province of residence. Athletes who are under the age of 18, not participating in competitive sport, or not living in Ontario will not be eligible to participate in the study; these athletes will be provided with community mental health support information if they would like to seek other options for mental health support. Athletes who are over the age of 18, participating in competitive sport, and living in Ontario will be provided with information about the study and the study coordinator will review the information letter verbally with them and answer any questions they have about the study. If they are interested in participating, they will be sent the baseline survey measures (to be completed online) and responses will be screened to determine whether the intervention will be appropriate for them.

Measures: The measures include a demographics form and the primary and secondary outcome measures. After completing these measures online, the study coordinator will score and screen the measures to determine the participant's eligibility to be allocated to the study. Athletes whose scores indicate severe levels of anxiety or depression, or who indicate a high likelihood of an eating disorder, will be referred for immediate treatment and will be not be eligible for the study from the study. Athletes who indicate low levels of depression or anxiety will not be eligible for the study and provided with information about mental health support services. Participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention condition or a wait-list control group; once assigned to the intervention group, participants will also be assigned on a rotating basis to the three student therapists delivering the intervention. The study coordinator will electronically randomize participants to the intervention or wait-list control group. Participants will not be blinded to their group allocation.

Intervention: The Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) intervention is a process-experiential approach to psychotherapy that is grounded in humanistic approaches to therapy. EFT focuses on promoting client experiencing and being nondirective; that is, the therapist emphasizes facilitating clients' self-disclosure and openness to their own experience, rather than the therapist's agenda or techniques. Key processes within EFT include helping people overcome their avoidance of emotion, maintaining a collaborative focus on emotions, and exploring emotions in therapy. The role of the therapist in EFT is considered as an 'emotion coach' and guides the processing of emotions. While there is no set schedule for the sessions, common tasks that may arise in the course of therapy include developing a therapeutic alliance with the athlete; increasing awareness and attention to emotions; increasing capacity tolerance of emotional arousal; validation of emotional experience; evocation and exploration of emotions; and transformation of emotions (helping athlete develop new emotional responses and making sense of experiences, validating new feelings and an emerging sense of self).

Survey Timing: Athletes will complete baseline questionnaires before randomization, at postintervention, and at follow-up one month later.

Post-Intervention Interview: Participants will be invited to take part in an online interview following the completion of the intervention and after completing the final survey in the study. Participants will be asked about their experiences during the intervention and their experiences of receiving Emotion Focused Therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Over the age of 18 and capable of consenting to participate in the study
• Participating in competitive sport (highly trained/national level or above); athletes may be participating in any able-bodied or para-sport.
• Speak and comprehend English
• Meet criteria for mild-to-moderate depression or anxiety
• Reside in Ontario
• Not currently receiving psychotherapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Athletes under the age of 18 who are not able to provide informed consent to participate in the study
• Athletes participating in recreational sport
• Athletes who meet criteria for high risk of eating disorder
• Athletes who meet criteria for severe depression or anxiety
• Athletes who do not live in Ontario
• Athletes indicating low levels of depression or anxiety
• Athletes who are currently receiving psychotherapy

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study will be stored in a non-publicly available repository (Dataverse: https://borealisdata.ca/dataverse/toronto). De-identified survey data and interview transcripts will be stored indefinitely in an online repository (Dataverse). Researchers wishing to access the data for research purposes/secondary analyses will require ethical approval from a recognized research ethics board and submit a request for access to the data from the lead investigator. No personally-identifying data will be stored, only variable data and results. Participants will be asked to provide consent to store their data for future research purposes.

Intention to publish date: 30/06/2025

Researchers wishing to access the data for research purposes/secondary analyses will require ethical approval from a recognized research ethics board and submit a request for access to the data from the lead investigator.