Welcome to the team.

Started in 2020, Apex Performance Psych was founded by Dr. Ben Oliva, a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) and licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC).

Dr. Ben Oliva

PsyD, LCMHC, CMPC

Ben specializes in training athletes, performers, and professionals in high-stress industries to maximize their potential by teaching evidence-based mental skills and techniques. His focus areas include sport performance, anxiety, and stress management for adolescents, young adults, and professionals.

EXPERTISE AND EDUCATION

He received his Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in psychodynamic child psychology and psychotherapy from Reiss-Davis Graduate School in 2025, his master's degree (M.Ed.) in sport and performance counseling from Boston University, and his undergraduate degree in psychology and astrophysics from Williams College. He also has advanced training in:

  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Motivational interviewing (MI)

  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Ben is a professional member of the American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association, and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. He has been featured as an expert in the field of mental performance on several podcasts, NBC Productions, and in multiple publications.

EXPERIENCE

Ben is a certified mental performance consultant and worked with Fordham University Athletics, NYU Athletics, and multiple NCAA teams including the Baylor Football program. He also worked with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK Racing) and Spire Motorsports, both NASCAR teams, as well as the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Mental Performance Initiative. Ben delivers leadership and mental performance workshops for business organizations across the country.

Previously, Ben worked for the mental skills group of the Boston Red Sox and served 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.

Ben works with adolescents, young adults, and professionals, specializing in sport performance, confidence, anxiety, focus, emotional control, and stress management.

PERSONAL

In his free time, Ben enjoys playing sports, hiking with his dog Mocha, and spending time with his friends and family. He has completed the Boston and Los Angeles Marathons and currently competes as an endurance athlete.

Victoria McKnight

MSW, LCSWA

Victoria specializes in helping athletes, students, and high-performing individuals build the mental skills needed to perform confidently under pressure and navigate life's transitions. Her focus areas include sport performance, confidence, anxiety, and stress management for adolescents and young adults.

EXPERTISE AND EDUCATION

She received her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Binghamton University in 2025, where she also competed as a Division I soccer student-athlete for five years. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) in North Carolina. She also has training in:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Victoria is a professional member of the Alliance of Social Workers in Sport (ASWIS).

EXPERIENCE

Victoria works with adolescents, college students, and adults across academic and performance settings. She previously worked at Evolution Wellness in Wilmington, NC, SUNY Broome Community College, and as a Graduate Assistant Success Coach at Binghamton University, where she partnered with the Athletics department to support student-athletes. She has also coached multiple youth soccer teams and led summer camps for female athletes, helping young athletes build confidence, leadership, and mental preparedness for competition. Victoria co-hosts a podcast focused on the experiences of recently retired female athletes, discussing confidence, leadership, and the transition out of sports.

Victoria works with adolescents and adults, specializing in sport performance, confidence, anxiety, life transitions, and stress management.

PERSONAL

In her free time, Victoria enjoys mountain biking, spending time with her family, and staying involved in the sport of soccer. As a former Division I athlete, she was named Comeback Athlete of the Year in 2021 and continues to draw on the discipline, perseverance, and teamwork she learned through athletics.