Mission & Vision

Our mission is to credential sports and performance psychiatrists who demonstrate excellence in the comprehensive care of athletes and performers, fostering mental well-being and optimal performance. Through the certification of board-certified sports and performance psychiatrists, we aim to enhance the mental health and well-being of athletes, performers, executives, and individuals striving for peak performance in their personal and professional lives.
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• Sports and Performance Psychiatry is an integral part of creating a comprehensive sports medicine team, as well as collaborating with health and performance professionals. As physicians, psychiatrists can assist in early assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to ensure an athlete's ongoing personal growth and development while minimizing the potential negative impact of mental health disorders on sports performance. Our aim is to enhance both physical and mental well-being.

• The ABSPP seeks to provide educational resources regarding best practices and standards of care in regards to athlete-informed mental health care for both individuals and organizations. As sports and performance psychiatrists, the board seeks to provide psychiatrists with the requisite tools and knowledge, enabling them to seamlessly integrate into sports medicine teams.
  

Ethics Code:

1. Excellence: Upholding rigorous standards for the certification of sports psychiatrists, ensuring that professionals who earn ABSPP certification have demonstrated proficiency in the specialized knowledge, skills, and ethical considerations essential for the field.

2. Advancement of Knowledge & Innovation: Promoting ongoing education, research, and innovation in sports and performance psychiatry, fostering an environment where physicians stay at the forefront of emerging trends, evidence-based practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure the delivery of superior care for athletes and performers.

3. Patient-Centered Care: Advocating for the mental health and well-being of athletes, executives, and performers by emphasizing a holistic, patient-centered approach that recognizes the unique challenges and demands of the sports and performance environment.

4. Ethical Practice: Guiding sports and performance psychiatrists in maintaining the highest ethical standards in their interactions with athletes, performers, and other stakeholders, promoting trust and integrity within the profession.

5. Collaboration and Interdisciplinarity: ABSPP believes in the power of collaboration and actively seeks partnerships with professionals, organizations, and stakeholders to collectively elevate the standard of care in sports and performance psychiatry. In addition, sports and performance psychiatrists aim to facilitate collaboration between sports and performance psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals, sports medicine physicians, coaches, trainers, and organizations involved in the care and performance optimization of athletes, fostering a multidisciplinary approach.

6. Public Education and Advocacy: Raising awareness about the importance of mental health in sports and performance, advocating for policies that support mental well-being, and combating stigma surrounding mental health issues in the athletic and executive communities.

7. Continual Professional Development: Providing ongoing opportunities for sports and performance psychiatrists to engage in professional development, peer support, and mentorship to enhance their expertise and contribute to the growth of the field.

8. Professionalism: Sports & performance psychiatrists uphold the highest level of professionalism in our interactions, recognizing the importance of respect, dignity, and cultural sensitivity in our diverse and dynamic field.

9. Compassion: We approach our work with empathy and understanding, recognizing the unique challenges and needs of individuals in the sports and performance community.

10. Integrity: We operate with honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in all our activities, maintaining the trust and confidence of our stakeholders.

By embodying these principles, ABSPP aspires to be the preeminent certifying board for sports and performance psychiatrists, ensuring that individuals entrusted with the mental health of athletes, executives, and performers are well-equipped to meet the unique challenges of the dynamic and demanding sports and performance environments.

Vision Statement: Our vision is to be the preeminent authority in sports and performance psychiatry in the United States, setting the standard for excellence in clinical practice as part of comprehensive multidisciplinary care. We envision a future where athletes and performers receive optimal mental health care, contributing to their success, well-being, and longevity. Through rigorous certification, ongoing professional development, and a commitment to innovation, we aim to create a community of skilled physicians united in the shared goal of advancing the understanding and application of sports and performance psychiatry.