Two Sport Psychologists Are Better Than One: The Case for Specialized Roles
Why Every Organization Should Hire Two Sport Psychology Professionals
The expectation many people have about sport psychology is that it involves both mental health counseling for athlete well-being and performance coaching for exceptional achievement. In reality, these roles are often merged into a single position, leading to significant conflicts of interest and diminished effectiveness. To truly support athletes and maximize performance, organizations need to hire two sport psychology professionals: one specializing in counseling and one focusing solely on performance.
Current Landscape: The Single Hire Dilemma
In the U.S., mental health in sports has been a prominent topic for years. However, the actual investments made in mental health support are often limited, easily cut, or even just good PR without meaningful action. Typically, organizations hire one licensed mental health professional—a clinical psychologist, social worker, or similar—to provide athlete counseling services. These professionals often face vague job descriptions, lack proper space or time for sessions, and may be met with skepticism by athletes and staff. Despite being hired for counseling, they are often evaluated based on performance outcomes, leaving them to wear two hats: that of a counselor and a performance coach.
This dual expectation creates a serious conflict of interest. A mental health counselor is dedicated to building relationships founded on trust and confidentiality. Meanwhile, a performance coach is responsible for improving athlete outcomes, aligning closely with organizational goals. Combining these responsibilities compromises both roles: counseling sessions risk being driven by performance metrics, and performance coaching can become ineffective or even legally risky if it crosses into mental health issues without the proper licensure.
The Priority Conflict
Consider a struggling athlete, such as a baseball pitcher dealing with substance abuse. If the organization mandates that this athlete meet with the team's counselor, the trust between athlete and counselor is compromised from the outset. Even if the athlete voluntarily seeks help, if the counselor is also evaluated on the athlete's performance, it creates an internal conflict. Should the athlete rest and focus on recovery, or push through for the team's benefit? The integrity of the counselor's professional decision-making is jeopardized.
Furthermore, a counselor is bound by confidentiality laws, while a performance psychologist needs to share insights and collaborate with coaches and staff. A single professional in both roles is caught between conflicting priorities—confidentiality versus performance collaboration—ultimately harming both the athlete's trust and organizational effectiveness.
The Case for Two Hires
To truly serve athletes and teams, organizations need to separate these roles:
Licensed Mental Health Counselor: This professional focuses purely on mental health, free from performance evaluation pressures. Athletes can build trust, knowing their counselor is working in their best interest, similar to a team doctor or physiotherapist. The counselor integrates into the team while maintaining the confidentiality and autonomy necessary for effective treatment.
Performance Psychologist: This role centers on optimizing performance and collaborating closely with coaches, trainers, and staff. The performance psychologist's mission is clear—help athletes reach peak performance while aligning with organizational goals. If a situation arises that requires mental health intervention, the performance psychologist can refer the athlete to the counselor, ensuring legal boundaries are respected and the athlete's needs are met.
This two-hire approach provides athletes with better mental health support, a clear focus on performance optimization, and avoids the ethical and legal pitfalls of the combined role. It allows professionals to fully apply their expertise, creating a healthier and higher-performing team environment.
Conclusion
Common practices of hiring a single sport psychologist to fulfill both mental health and performance roles set professionals up for failure, undermining their ability to excel in either capacity. Adopting a two-hire system—with distinct roles for licensed counseling and performance enhancement—improves service quality, maintains ethical standards, and ultimately leads to a healthier and more successful organization.