Ben Oliva is a licensed mental health counselor and certified mental performance consultant (CMPC). He teaches evidence-based mental skills and techniques that can be applied in all areas of life. Ben works with people of all ages but specializes in working with youth on the topics of confidence, anxiety, focus, and emotional control. He also helps parents navigate the youth sports experience.

Ben has advanced training in:

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Motivational interviewing (MI)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Ben works closely with Dr. Jonathan Fader in consulting with teams and organizations on improving performance.

• He is the mental performance coach for Fordham University Athletics.
• He works with the Baylor Football program and other NCAA teams.
• He also works with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Mental Performance Initiative and delivers leadership and mental performance workshops for business organizations across the country.

Ben’s experience includes working for the mental skills group of the Boston Red Sox and serving as an assistant coach at Williams College for the baseball and football programs, where he was also a two-sport varsity athlete. In addition, Ben worked for nearly a decade at a summer camp for children ages 5-12.

Education, Experience, & Expertise:

• Master’s degree in counseling with a concentration in sport and performance psychology from Boston University
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology and astrophysics from Williams College
• Professional member of the American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association, and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology
• Featured as an expert in the field of mental performance on NBC productions and in multiple publications including Runner’s World and Fatherly

Popular Articles:

• What It’s Like To Be In The Zone
• 5 Reasons Young Athletes Shouldn’t Specialize in Only One Sport
• 9 Ways Runners Can Enjoy Taking a Walk
• How Do Olympians Deal With Nerves? 8 Things Mental Skills Coaches Train Them To Do
• Here’s Why You Might Feel Sad After Finishing a Big Race

More About Ben:

• Astrophysics and psychology double major at Williams college
• Completed the Boston and LA Marathons
• Has a dog named Mocha
• Raised in Los Angeles and has been to every state in the USA