I’m Philippa Dunn, founder of The Competitive Edge and a Sport and Exercise Psychologist in Training (SEPiT) with the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES).

I work with elite and amateur athletes of all ages, individually and in teams, to overcome the barriers that stand between them and their performance goals. Together we build practical, evidence-informed strategies that fit your sport and your life.

How I work

My main approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In practice, that means helping you to stay open to difficult thoughts and feelings, focused on the present moment, and engaged in actions that reflect your values, in sport and beyond.

I see you as the expert on your own experience. Our work is a collaborative partnership, and we agree goals and methods together. I’m also trained to Level 2 in Motivational Interviewing, which can suit you if you’d like a more conversational way to explore motivation and change.

Why sport psychology

Small margins make big differences in sport, and I’ve seen how psychological skills can create a real competitive edge for athletes, teams and organisations.

My background

• MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of the West of England (UWE)

• BSc Psychology and Counselling, The Open University

• Previous career in data analysis and marketing, which shapes how I track progress and measure what’s working

I play and have played sport at many levels: county hockey, competitive football, cricket, rugby union and golf, plus tennis, badminton, padel, running, cycling, paddleboarding and swimming. That experience helps me understand what athletes face in training and competition.