The Hidden Struggles of Sport Psychologists Supporting Athlete Mental Health
When we think about elite athletes, we often focus on their physical prowess and competitive achievements. But behind the scenes, sport psychologists face complex challenges as they navigate an increasingly important but poorly defined role: supporting athlete mental health.
A recent study involving 12 experienced sport psychologists in the UK reveals significant confusion within the profession about what their job actually entails when it comes to mental health support. This uncertainty creates ripple effects that impact both the quality of care athletes receive and the wellbeing of the psychologists themselves.
A Profession Divided
Sport psychology originally focused primarily on performance enhancement, helping athletes develop mental skills to excel in competition. However, as awareness of mental health issues in sport has grown, practitioners find themselves in uncharted territory.
The research shows a striking lack of consensus among sport psychologists about whether mental health support falls within their professional boundaries. Some practitioners maintain that their role should remain strictly focused on performance, viewing mental health concerns only through the lens of how they might affect athletic achievement. Others believe that supporting athlete mental health and wellbeing should be central to their practice.
This division creates inconsistency in the care athletes receive. Depending on which sport psychologist an athlete encounters, they might receive comprehensive mental health support or be quickly referred elsewhere, even for relatively minor concerns that could be within a sport psychologist's capabilities.
When Expectations Don't Align
The confusion becomes even more complicated when sport psychologists work within elite sporting organizations. Many practitioners described feeling pressured to prioritize performance above all else, even when their personal philosophy emphasized a more holistic approach to athlete care.
Some psychologists found themselves trying to fit into organizational cultures that valued only winning and viewed discussions about mental health as "soft" or unnecessary. This misalignment forced practitioners to choose between staying true to their values or conforming to organizational expectations to keep their jobs.
The situation becomes particularly challenging when sporting organizations expect sport psychologists to focus solely on performance but then turn to these same professionals when mental health crises arise. This contradiction leaves practitioners feeling unprepared and overwhelmed when faced with serious mental health disclosures from athletes.
The Emotional Weight of the Work
Perhaps most concerning is the emotional toll this work takes on sport psychologists themselves. When athletes disclose mental health concerns or thoughts of self-harm, practitioners described feeling an enormous weight of responsibility to respond appropriately and quickly.
Many sport psychologists in the study spoke about the anxiety they experience when having difficult conversations with athletes about mental health. The pressure to "do the right thing" in potentially life-threatening situations, combined with uncertainty about their professional boundaries and competencies, creates significant stress for practitioners.
Some described cases that haunted them for years, questioning whether they had missed important warning signs or handled situations appropriately. The emotional burden of caring for athletes struggling with mental health issues, while lacking clear guidelines and adequate training, takes a real toll on practitioners' own wellbeing.
Training Gaps and Professional Identity
The study highlights significant gaps in how sport psychologists are prepared for mental health-related responsibilities. Unlike other healthcare professions, sport psychology training programs vary widely in their approach to mental health education. Some programs provide comprehensive training, while others offer minimal preparation for these situations.
This inconsistency in training contributes to the profession's unclear identity. Without standardized competencies and clear guidelines, individual practitioners are left to determine for themselves what falls within their scope of practice. This creates confusion not only for sport psychologists but also for the athletes and organizations they serve.
The researchers suggest several important steps to address these challenges. Professional organizations need to provide clearer guidance about the sport psychologist's role in mental health support, ensuring that training programs prepare practitioners appropriately for these responsibilities.
Prior, E., Papathomas, A., & Rhind, D. (2025). A balancing act: Sport psychologist insights into supporting athlete mental health in elite sport. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1-21.
Sporting organizations also need better education about what sport psychologists can and cannot provide, helping to align expectations and reduce the pressure on practitioners to work outside their competencies.
Perhaps most importantly, the profession needs to prioritize ongoing support and supervision for practitioners throughout their careers. The emotional demands of supporting athlete mental health require proper support systems to prevent burnout and ensure quality care.
The Bigger Picture
As mental health awareness continues to grow in elite sport, the role of sport psychologists will likely expand further. Rather than leaving practitioners to navigate these challenges alone, the profession must evolve to provide clear guidance, adequate training, and ongoing support.
Athletes deserve consistent, high-quality mental health support, and sport psychologists deserve clarity about their professional responsibilities and the tools needed to fulfill them effectively. Addressing these issues isn't just important for the individuals involved but for the future of mental health care in elite sport as a whole.
The path forward requires honest conversations about professional boundaries, better preparation for practitioners, and recognition that supporting athlete mental health is both a privilege and a significant responsibility that requires proper institutional support.
The Hidden Struggles of Psychologists on Instagram
More psychologists than ever are turning to Instagram to share mental health advice and connect with the public. While their colorful infographics and relatable posts may look effortless, new research reveals the complex challenges these professionals face behind the scenes.
Walking a Tightrope Between Personal and Professional
A recent study of 12 UK psychologists who use Instagram professionally found that maintaining boundaries on social media is far more complicated than traditional therapy settings. These mental health professionals constantly navigate the delicate balance between being authentic and relatable while maintaining professional standards.
Many psychologists feel pressure to share personal details about their own mental health struggles to appear more human and accessible to their followers. However, this authenticity can backfire when potential clients develop unrealistic expectations or parasocial relationships, believing they already know their future therapist intimately.
The constant accessibility of social media creates unique challenges. Unlike traditional therapy with clear start and end times, Instagram psychologists receive hundreds of messages weekly from people seeking help. While they want to support those reaching out, they must repeatedly explain that social media posts are educational, not therapy.
The Mental Health Cost of Helping Others
Perhaps most surprisingly, the research revealed that using Instagram as a mental health professional can be detrimental to the psychologists' own wellbeing. Many reported experiencing anxiety, burnout, and sleep loss related to their online presence.
The pressure to consistently create content and keep up with changing algorithms adds stress to already demanding careers. Some psychologists described feeling like they must constantly perform and post regularly to avoid becoming obsolete, leading to a cycle where they burn out both in their day jobs and on social media.
Criticism from both the public and fellow professionals creates additional strain. Some psychologists lose sleep over negative comments, while others worry about being reported to professional bodies by colleagues who disapprove of their social media presence. The fear of making mistakes online creates persistent anxiety about "not wanting to do the wrong thing."
Navigating Ethical Gray Areas
The study highlighted significant gaps in professional guidance for psychologists using social media professionally. Current guidelines focus mainly on personal social media use, leaving mental health influencers to navigate ethical dilemmas without clear direction.
Psychologists struggle with questions about self-disclosure, managing followers in crisis, and balancing educational content with business promotion. The Instagram format itself presents challenges, as complex mental health topics must be condensed into digestible posts, potentially oversimplifying important concepts.
Many worry that their posts might lead people to self-diagnose or avoid seeking proper treatment. The visual nature of Instagram can make mental health seem more glamorous or simple than it actually is, potentially contributing to misconceptions about psychological conditions.
The Business Side of Mental Health
Using Instagram for business purposes creates uncomfortable tensions for many psychologists. They must market themselves and their services while adhering to professional ethics, a combination that doesn't always feel natural.
Some psychologists questioned whether charging for certain content or promoting products aligns with their values of helping people. The transition from sharing free educational content to directing followers toward paid services can feel ethically murky, particularly during difficult economic times.
Despite training extensively in psychology, many feel unprepared for the marketing and business aspects of maintaining a professional Instagram presence. Some outsource these tasks, while others struggle with feeling like imposters in the influencer space.
Why They Keep Going
Despite these challenges, all the psychologists in the study continued using Instagram because they found the benefits ultimately outweighed the costs. They valued the sense of community with other mental health professionals and enjoyed the creative aspects of content creation.
Many were motivated by social justice concerns, wanting to make mental health information more accessible and challenge systemic issues affecting wellbeing. With long waiting lists for NHS services, they saw Instagram as a way to provide some support while people wait for formal treatment.
The direct feedback from followers about how their content helped was particularly rewarding. Psychologists appreciated being able to reach people who might never access traditional therapy services and found the work aligned with their values of helping others.
The Need for Better Support
The research suggests that professional bodies need to develop more specific guidance for psychologists using social media as influencers. Current guidelines are insufficient for addressing the unique ethical challenges of professional social media use.
White, E., & Hanley, T. (2025). “What I share is not the same as therapy”: Psychologist experiences of Instagram use as a mental health influencer. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice.
Supervision specifically focused on social media work could help psychologists navigate difficult situations and protect their own mental health. Many supervisors currently lack experience with these issues, leaving psychologists to figure things out on their own or rely on informal peer support.
Clearer boundaries around time spent online, responding to followers, and mixing business with mental health content could help reduce burnout and ethical confusion. Professional bodies might also need to consider how to support psychologists who want to use their expertise to reach wider audiences while maintaining professional standards.
The rise of mental health influencers represents both opportunities and challenges for the profession. While these platforms can democratize access to psychological knowledge and reduce mental health stigma, they also create new ethical dilemmas and risks for both professionals and the public.
As social media continues to evolve, the mental health profession must grapple with how to support practitioners who choose to share their expertise online while protecting both professional standards and practitioner wellbeing. The experiences of these Instagram psychologists highlight the need for clearer guidance, better support systems, and ongoing conversations about the role of social media in mental health care.
Understanding these challenges is crucial as more mental health professionals consider online platforms as part of their practice. While Instagram may offer new ways to reach people who need support, it's clear that doing so responsibly requires careful consideration of the complex issues involved.
AI Therapists and Social Robots: The Promise and Challenges of Digital Mental Health Care
Artificial intelligence is making its way into therapy rooms and mental health clinics around the world. From virtual psychotherapists that patients can talk to on their computers to social robots designed to help people with dementia or autism, these technologies are taking on roles that were once handled exclusively by human professionals.
This shift represents a change in how mental health care might be delivered in the future. But as these AI-powered tools become more sophisticated and widespread, researchers are working to understand both their potential benefits and the ethical challenges they present.
What Are Embodied AI Systems?
Embodied AI refers to artificial intelligence that has a physical or virtual form that people can interact with directly. In mental health settings, this might be a chatbot therapist on a smartphone, a humanlike avatar on a computer screen, or even a physical robot that can move and respond to patients.
These systems are designed to provide therapeutic interventions, offer support, and sometimes even conduct assessments that would traditionally require a trained mental health professional.
The Potential Benefits
Researchers have identified several promising aspects of using AI in mental health care. These technologies could create new treatment options for people who might not otherwise have access to mental health services. They might be particularly effective at reaching populations who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy, whether due to geographic barriers, cost, or stigma.
Some patients appear to respond well to AI-based interventions, possibly because they feel less judged when interacting with a machine than with a human therapist. Additionally, these systems could free up human mental health professionals to focus on more complex cases or tasks that require human insight and empathy.
Ethical Concerns and Challenges
However, the integration of AI into mental health care raises significant ethical questions. One major concern involves preventing harm to vulnerable patients. Mental health conditions often involve complex emotional and psychological states that may be difficult for AI systems to fully understand or appropriately respond to.
Data privacy and security present another crucial challenge. These AI systems collect sensitive personal information about patients' mental health, and protecting this data is essential. There are also questions about how transparent these systems should be about their use of algorithms and automated decision-making processes.
The development and clinical integration of these technologies currently lacks comprehensive guidance. Health professionals may not receive adequate training on how to use these tools effectively or how to supervise AI-assisted treatments. Regulatory frameworks have not yet caught up with the rapid pace of technological development.
Specific Implementation Challenges
Several practical concerns emerge when considering how these AI systems would work in real clinical settings. Questions arise about how these systems would assess risk, make referrals to human professionals when needed, and ensure appropriate supervision of AI-assisted treatments.
Patient autonomy remains a central concern. People receiving mental health care need to understand when they are interacting with AI rather than human professionals, and they should have meaningful choices about their treatment options.
There are also deeper questions about what it means to receive therapy from a non-human entity. Some worry about the long-term effects on how people understand mental illness and human relationships if AI becomes a primary source of emotional support and therapeutic intervention.
The risk of misuse presents another significant challenge. These technologies could potentially be used to replace rather than supplement human-provided mental health services, which might worsen existing inequalities in access to quality care.
While AI technology shows promise in mental health applications, researchers emphasize that more work is needed to address the ethical and social implications of these tools. The field requires better research practices, clearer regulatory guidance, and more comprehensive training for health professionals who will work with these technologies.
The development of ethical frameworks specifically designed for AI in mental health care is crucial. These frameworks need to address both the unique vulnerabilities of mental health patients and the specific risks posed by AI systems in therapeutic settings.
Future research should focus on understanding the long-term effects of AI-assisted mental health care, developing better methods for ensuring patient safety and autonomy, and creating guidelines for the responsible development and deployment of these technologies.
The integration of AI into mental health care represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. While these technologies offer new possibilities for expanding access to mental health support, their implementation must be guided by careful consideration of ethical implications and a commitment to protecting patient wellbeing. The goal should be to harness the benefits of AI while preserving the human elements that remain essential to effective mental health care.
