Mental performance and mental health services in sport: a call for interprofessional competence and collaboration

ABSTRACT

The provision of holistic care for athletes often involves interprofessional teams with specialists to support athletic performance and overall wellness. Yet, regarding psychological support, some have advocated for a single professional to attain both a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) credential and any type of mental health license (e.g., Licensed Psychologist [LP], Licensed Social Worker [LSW], or Licensed Professional Counselor [LPC]) to address the mental performance and mental health needs of athletes. Unfortunately, this approach may hinder interprofessional collaboration and ignore distinctions between CMPCS and other types of mental health professionals. Alternatively, CMPCs and various types of mental health professionals may work together on interprofessional psychological support teams. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the distinct historical and theoretical foundations of mental performance consulting, clinical psychology, social work, and professional counseling in sport contexts to serve as a resource for enhancing interprofessional competence within such teams. The distinct training pathways of CMPCs, LPs, LSWs, and LPCs are outlined with attention to how each can serve a valuable role on an interprofessional support team for athletes. Applications of the World Health Organization’s framework for interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) to psychological support teams in sport contexts is discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Sport Psychology
• Mental Performance
• Mental Health
• Interprofessional Care
• Interprofessional Teams

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lauren K. McHenry

Lauren K. McHenry holds a doctorate in kinesiology and sport studies (specialization: sport psychology and motor behavior) and a master's in clinical mental health counseling. She is a certified mental performance consultant.

Lauren Beasley

Lauren Beasley is a doctoral candidate in kinesiology and sport studies (specialization: sport management) with a master's in social work and a master's in sport psychology and motor behavior. She is a licensed master social worker.

Rebecca A. Zakrajsek

Rebecca A. Zakrajsek is an associate professor in the sport psychology and motor behavior program at the University of Tennessee. She holds a master's in sport psychology, master's in community counseling, and doctorate in sport and exercise psychology and is a certified mental performance consultant.

Robin Hardin

Robin Hardin is a professor in the sport management program at the University of Tennessee. He holds a master's in sport studies, master's in communication, and doctorate in communications.