The psychiatric consultant in professional team sports

The role of the sport psychiatrist consulting to a professional sports team is complex, challenging, and varied. Sport psychiatrists enhance the psychosocial development of the athlete by removing obstacles to growth and by facilitating lines of communication that support exchange of information, sharing of feelings, and the development of solid winning relationships on the team and throughout the organization. The consultant psychiatrist often provides input both to players and to management, however; these dual responsibilities raise ethical concerns and often require the services of additional treating psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.