What is the difference between a Sports Psychologist and a Sports Psychiatrist?
While these terms are often used interchangeably, sports psychology and sports psychiatry are actually two distinct fields. Both can play a critical role in enhancing an athlete’s mental well-being and performance. Furthermore, they both focus on mental health within the context of sports; however, there are key differences both in their approaches to supporting athletes and areas of expertise.
One way to think about the difference between sports psychology and sports psychiatry is how they tend to focus on different aspects of mental health. Sports psychologists typically focus on performance and mental skills training in addition to cognitive and behavioral change. Sports psychiatrists are usually more concerned with diagnosing and treating any clinical mental health conditions that may negatively impact an athlete's abilities and overall well-being.
Sports psychology primarily focuses on psychological aspects of athlete mindset and behavior with regards to how they impact performance and well-being. Sports psychologists, often times, improve areas of motivation, focus, confidence, stress management, and emotional regulation. Additionally, sports psychologists may treat mental illnesses such as eating disorders, anxiety, or depression in addition to supporting athletes through grief and trauma. Sports psychologists work alongside athletes to develop the mental skills necessary to improve confidence and resilience which positively impacts performance. Common techniques range from mindfulness strategies to relaxation skills and more CBT-based strategies. A sports psychologist’s overarching goal is for athletes to reach their full potential in life and sport.
Sports psychiatry differs in the sense that it incorporates both psychiatry (the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders according to psychiatry.org) and sports medicine to address mental health issues in athletes. Sports psychiatrists focus on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. They participate in advanced training to ensure that they understand how medical interventions impact athletes both in sports and life.
Sports psychiatrists work with athletes across a wide range of conditions including: anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, and substance abuse issues to name a few. Sports psychiatrists are able to prescribe medications, educate, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide and ensure comprehensive care for athletes.
Another primary difference lies in the actual training. Sport psychologists earned doctoral degree in a mental health field such as a PsyD in Clinical Psychology or a PhD in Counseling Psychology. Sports psychiatrists earned medical degrees, including specialized psychiatry training, and are physicians who graduated from MD or DO programs.
Whether you need a sports psychologist or a sports psychiatrist, Athlete Insight has you covered. Please reach out to schedule a complimentary discovery call to learn more about the opportunity to work with one of our dedicated team members to help you achieve your full potential.