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 serve t o enhance the psychosocial development of the athlete by removing obst acles to growth and by facilitating lines of communication that suppor t the exchange of information, sharing of: feelings, and the developme nt of solid winning relationships on the team and throughout the organ ization. The consultant psychiatrist often provides input to players a nd to management. These dual responsibilities raise ethical concerns a nd often require the services of additional treating psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.