Are you a Sports Therapist or Sports Rehabilitator looking to start working in clinical practice? If so, you may have come across some of the challenges that many professionals in our field face. Despite your training and passion, perhaps you’ve been sidelined into roles that don’t fully make use of your education, skills, and training. There’s definitely a gap in the market when it comes to hands-on opportunities for clinical experience and career progression. And it’s a gap that the London Sports Therapy Mentorship Programme aims to fill.
Why I created a mentorship programme for Sports Therapists and Rehabilitators
The decision to create a mentorship programme came from something I’ve always observed in our area of work. And it’s the fact that many professionals aren’t being taken seriously. Sports Therapists and Rehabilitators often get relegated to massage roles and struggle to secure meaningful employment.
Sadly, over the years, I’ve come across many aspiring and talented therapists who ended up feeling disillusioned with their experience. The result? They don’t pursue Sports Therapy due to the lack of clear opportunities for clinical experience and career progress. And that’s a real loss to our industry!
I first decided to do something to change this by offering work experience placements. However, time and space constraints would limit the number of professionals I could help, so I also created a digital course to formalise the learning experience. This is where both Fin and Richard – now proud members of the London Sports Therapy team – came into the picture.
Through the programme, mentees are formally trained using the holistic approach, which helps them determine what causes the patient’s pain. This allows them to devise a more appropriate rehab programme, which is effective and empowering for the patient. As a team, we have regular opportunities to work on case studies in person or via Zoom.
By focusing on a holistic, whole-body approach (first developed through the ConnectTherapy method and the Integrated Systems Model ISM), I aim to equip future therapists with the skills and confidence to thrive in a competitive environment. This way, we will continue to shape a more respected and impactful cohort of professionals in our field.
The benefits of my mentorship programme
Our mentorship programme offers a unique opportunity for aspiring Sports Therapists and Rehabilitators to practice and improve their skills and progress in their professional journey. We have created a supportive learning environment that helps develop both clinical reasoning and manual therapy skills.
One of the core benefits of this programme is the hands-on training participants receive. Working with myself (Josie) and my team, our trainees learn how to ‘connect the dots’ for effective rehabilitation. We look at symptoms and our patients’ previous history (injuries, surgeries, etc.) to understand the underlying drivers of pain.
Our small cohort structure guarantees that everyone gets personalised attention and mentorship. As we grow, professionals like Fin, Richard, and our newest mentee Tom will have the opportunity to step into mentoring roles. Through this collaborative spirit, we can create a strong network of professionals dedicated to advancing the practice of Sports Therapy. And, in turn, this makes it possible for us to help a greater number of people.
The flexibility of the mentoring programme means that as I evolve and expand my clinic, I have a pool of trained professionals ready to step in and potentially refer patients when needed. This is fantastic for continuity of care for our clients, and it means we’re empowering the next generation of therapists to build their careers in a thriving environment with a unique, competitive edge.
Ultimately, this mentorship programme is about more than just skill acquisition—it’s about creating a community of informed, confident practitioners who want to make a meaningful impact in our field. We are filling the existing gaps in the market with educated and trained professionals who employ this holistic method and improving the reputation and influence of Sports Therapists and Rehabilitators across London and beyond.
Collaborative workspace based at the Hogarth Club, Chiswick
Fin and Richard run appointments from my fully equipped clinic room on different days and times. Our shared environment allows the team to learn from one another while honing their skills in a real-world setting. Our team members regularly engage with clients, put theory into practice, and gain valuable experience to thrive in their careers.
The clinic provides an ideal backdrop for hands-on learning. We run specific sessions and case studies where we observe each other’s work and share feedback. This supportive setting allows everyone in the team to experiment with techniques and approaches they’ve learned, facilitating a deeper understanding of the whole-body methodology we advocate.
We give all our mentees the confidence to refine their skills in real-time, further solidifying their ability to connect with patients and address their unique rehabilitation needs. By working side-by-side, we cultivate a culture of learning and growth, setting our mentees up for long-term success in their professional journeys while athletes and clients continue to benefit from a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation based on our unique methodology.
Success stories – Fin, Richard, and Tom
Fin and Richard have already become integral, well-respected, and sought-after members of the London Sports Therapy team. We’re proud of their incredible professional development and achievements. And we feel incredibly lucky about the contributions they’ve made to the clinic with their ideas and initiatives.
Here’s what Fin says about the mentorship programme and working together as part of the team:
“I joined Josie’s mentorship programme during my Sports Rehabilitation Master’s degree. Alongside one-to-one sessions, shadowing opportunities, and building case studies, Josie taught me everything I needed to know about working as a clinician in the real world. Her knowledge, kindness, and sense of humor are second to none. Now, as a confident clinician and part of Josie’s team, I’m not sure where I would be without her!”
Here are a few kind words from Richard:
“Josie has been an outstanding mentor, not only due to her excellent interpersonal skills but also her clear expertise in the field. Her deep understanding of the complex principles behind patient management, musculoskeletal assessment, and rehabilitation makes her an invaluable resource for both foundational learning and advanced discussions. Whether we’re working remotely or in person, I consistently leave our conversations feeling more confident and constructively challenged to refine my own skills.”
And here’s what Tom says:
“After graduating my MSc in Sports Therapy, I felt like I was still missing some practical skills to be a competent practitioner. I was looking for a mentor to guide me and found Josie. She’s an expert practitioner with decades of experience and professional development. I began by shadowing Josie, and it was inspiring to witness her exceptional patient care, hands-on skills, and professionalism in action. After observing Josie in action, we focused on identifying my areas for growth and addressing the gaps in both my knowledge and practical skills. We worked remotely through case studies of current clients and in-person mentorship days. I’ve been able to develop my skills and clinical reasoning at a pace that suited me, as someone who is already working full-time. Josie has been there to bounce ideas off of and challenge my thinking, and I feel lucky to have her as a mentor. Josie is warm and approachable, with a strong sense of professionalism. She genuinely cares about the service she provides to her clients and is equally dedicated to supporting the people she works with, including both her mentees and colleagues.”
Who is the mentoring programme for?
If you’re interested in joining, the London Sports Therapy Mentorship Programme is designed for dedicated Sports Therapists and Sports Rehabilitators who are committed to improving their skills and progressing their careers in clinical practice. The training is ideal for individuals who have completed a degree and have some clinical experience under their belts.
If you’re a therapist and feel you’re struggling with improving your patients’ pain or wondering why certain injuries keep reoccurring, this mentorship is for you. Mentees in our programme will have the opportunity to work on case studies and each other, learn to connect their symptoms with their histories, and develop a comprehensive understanding of rehabilitation practices.
For newly graduated therapists, the transition from university to clinical practice can be particularly challenging. Many graduates find that working with massage clients alone does not offer the depth of exposure you need to understand a patient’s history and the complexities of their pain. Our mentorship programme bridges this gap by offering real-world clinical experience that focuses on a whole-body approach. In a nutshell, we empower participants to overcome obstacles and develop the confidence to excel in their careers.
Join the London Sports Therapy Mentorship Programme
Are you ready to take the next step in your career as a Sports Therapist or Rehabilitator? Don’t let the challenges of the industry hold you back anymore. With personalised mentorship, collaborative learning, and the opportunity to work directly with real patients, you’ll gain the confidence and experience to thrive in your practice. Whether you want to refine your techniques or expand your knowledge, this programme is for you.
Please note that we have limited spaces! So don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to elevate your career. If you want to make a meaningful impact in the field of Sports Therapy, contact us today. We’d be happy to discuss how you can become a part of our community and start your journey towards professional fulfillment.
