About

The Swiss Laboratory for Sports Psychiatry and Elite Recovery is engaged in an extensive range of research on athlete mental health wellbeing and offers clinical consulting services to federations and associations.

Meet the team

Prof. Dr. Michael Liebrenz

Prof. Dr. med. Michael Liebrenz is an extraordinary professor of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University of Bern and head of the Department of Forensic Psychiatry. With expertise in forensic, addiction, and sports psychiatry, he integrates clinical care and research to support the mental health needs of elite athletes. In partnership with Swiss Cycling, he founded the Mental Health Support Hub Swiss Cycling, an outpatient clinic offering diagnostic and therapeutic support for professional cyclists, addressing issues such as performance pressure, career transitions, and recovery, while ensuring compliance with integrity and anti-doping standards. He serves on the board of the Swiss Society for Sports Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (SSSPP). Internationally, Prof. Liebrenz is a sought-after speaker, contributing to the UCI World Tour Medical Directors’ Seminar, the UCI Junior Conference, and the Science & Cycling Congress, and his expertise is featured in leading media such as Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, and Swiss Television SRF. Currently, he is leading studies on mental health awareness in cycling and athlete well-being during career transitions. His work continues to bridge elite performance and mental health, ensuring athletes receive the psychological support needed to sustain both careers and well-being.

PD Dr. Ana Buadze

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Mr. Alexander Smith

Alexander Smith is a senior researcher in the Department of Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Bern. Prior to joining the University of Bern, Mr. Smith worked for nine years in academic publishing, acquiring extensive expertise in interprofessional project management and planning. Mr. Smith holds a master’s degree in the arts and humanities from the University of Sheffield, exemplifying his interdisciplinary approaches to sports psychiatry and mental health. Mr. Smith has published innovative work in sports psychiatry including on topics ranging from mental health and doping in elite-level cycling through to gambling disorders in professional football.

Our objectives and goals

Our Mission

We are dedicated to advancing mental health in sport through innovative research, clinical consulting, and meaningful collaborations with athletes, federations, and other sporting stakeholders.

Our Vision

To advance research in sports psychiatry and promote sustainable recovery and career trajectories, shaping environments where athletes thrive in performance, health, and life beyond competition.

Our Ethos

Our ethos towards mental health is driven by holistic and sustainable approaches, supporting athletes in sports and beyond. Alongside our research work, we focus on a range of clinical consultancy tailored to a range of needs.

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