Bringing the Bodies in Motion program to your athletic department and providing it to your student athletes is a straightforward process. Further, becoming trained as a Program Leader, which is a requirement for using the BIM program, is simple, convenient, and interactive and can occur via zoom or in-person at your school. Here is what you need to know to take the next steps to bring BIM to your school.
Who can lead the BIM program?
Program Leaders are professionals from a range of disciplines, such as sport nutrition, athletic training, mental health, and sport psychology, and generally are full- or part-time employees at the school (and within the athletic department). Advanced graduate students may also become Program Leaders, but must do so under the supervision of the professional who also has been trained as a Program Leader. Program Leaders should be highly interested in working with collegiate athletes, be motivated to help improve the body and appearance culture within their athletic department, and have the skills, abilities, and personality to positively relate to the athletes’ experiences and encourage active participation. We want all Program Leaders to not only become experienced and well-versed in the Bodies in Motion protocol, but to exemplify the program’s ideals and values and commit to making it an empowering and rewarding experience for their athlete participants.
What are the steps for bringing BIM to my institution?
BIM is a psychological intervention that is licensed for use by the University of North Texas. If you are reading this section, you likely have already reviewed the BIM website and, in doing so, have gained a clear understanding of the program, its effectiveness, and how athletes across the U.S. are benefitting from their participation. However, if you have additional questions about BIM, Program Leader training, research findings, etc., you may contact co-developer Dr. Trent A. Petrie (Trent.Petrie@unt.edu).
Once you have made the decision to bring BIM to your school, the Bodies in Motion License agreement (which can be sent to you by Dr. Petrie) will need to be completed and signed by the authorized person in your department. Questions concerning the license agreement can be directed to Steven Tudor (Steven.Tudor@unt.edu) who is the University of North Texas attorney who will oversee all agreements (questions about the program’s content and delivery should be directed to Dr. Petrie). Once the license agreement has been signed by both institutions, and the license fee paid, your school will receive access (through the BIM website) to all BIM materials, which include the Program Leader Guide, Student-Athlete Workbook, and social media materials, to name a few.
Further, Dr. Petrie (or one of the BIM staff) will provide training for the professionals at your school who will serve as Program Leaders. Zoom-based training is provided as part of the license fee and typically is 3 ½ hours. In-person training can be arranged and conducted at your school, but onsite will incur additional costs (e.g., travel) and fees that are not covered within the license agreement and fee. Each licensed school also will have access to Dr. Petrie (or one of the BIM staff) for up to two hours of consultation to assist in the effective implementation of the program at your school