Meet the Strive Team
Psychologists specializing in Sports Psychology & Performance Coaching
Dr. Ben Birkby, Psy.D., CMPC
Sport & Clinical Psychologist
Dr. “Ben” is a co-owner and co-founder of Strive. He specializes in teaching mental performance skills to athletes, teams, coaches and parents. Dr. Ben works with athletes at all levels (recreational to professional) who are interested in developing good mental habits and striving for excellence. Dr. Ben’s casual and warm style allows him to quickly form a working relationship with his clients.
He believes that teaching young people how to be mentally strong improves sport performance and enhances personal development that promotes well-being for a lifetime.
Dr. Ben earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Spalding University and went on to complete his internship at the acclaimed Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. He received undergraduate and graduate level training in sport psychology and is a certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Dr. Ben has also been granted an APIT (Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology) by the PSYPACT Commission. He is currently active in tennis and running and has been a long-time sport parent. Dr. Ben wants to help athletes navigate today’s competitive sports world with confidence.
Dr. Felicia Smith, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Smith is a co-owner and co-founder of Strive. Dr. Smith works with young athletes and specializes in helping athletes improve their mental toughness by developing sound mental skills. She focuses on mental skills such as goal setting, mental toughness/grit, stress management, and the use of imagery as methods of teaching athletes to train their minds and overcome mentally challenging situations.
A longtime soccer player herself, she is especially well-tuned to the mental challenges presented by team sports and individual competition.
Dr. Smith earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia and completed her residency and fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at Children’s Boston/Harvard Medical School. In addition to her professional background, Dr. Smith is the mother of two youth athletes. Dr. Smith is uniquely positioned to combine her extensive experience in child development, training in highly competitive settings, and real-world parenting experience to inform her work with youth in their athletic pursuits.
Dr. Tanya Stockhammer, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Stockhammer is a co-owner and co-founder of Strive. Dr. Stockhammer’s interest in the area of youth sport and performance has developed from many years of working with students, youth athletes and performers, particularly to address the negative effects of anxiety on their pursuits. Dr. Stockhammer helps kids and teens learn skills, including relaxation, visualization, and mindfulness, to change their thinking and/or behavior in order to improve and optimize their performance.
She is a long-time advocate of healthy lifestyle choices such as developing effective sleep, balanced eating, and regular exercise routines as foundations for balanced mental health in young people.
A child-clinical psychologist by training, Dr Stockhammer obtained her doctorate from St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York. She completed her internship and post-doctoral residencies at the New York University/Bellevue Hospital Medical Center and the University of Louisville School of Medicine, respectively. In addition, Dr. Stockhammer has benefited from perspective gained from supporting her own children and their teams over the years in their competitive athletic and performance arts pursuits.
Janaya Simmons, M.S. Advanced Mental Performance Intern
Janaya is a Mental Performance Intern at Strive who teaches mental skills to athletes to help enhance their mindset and overall well-being. She works with athletes of all sports and competitive levels, specializing in volleyball and injury recovery.
As a former collegiate athlete, Janaya understands the unique pressures that athletes may face. Her mission is to help athletes gain a deeper understanding of themselves and to empower them to challenge limiting beliefs that might hold them back from achieving their goals.
Janaya earned her master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from Barry University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Spalding University. Janaya comes to Strive with mental performance coaching experience, having worked with various athletic teams and individuals at the youth and collegiate levels. Her background also extends to supporting U.S. Army Soldiers in their development to become elite tactical athletes. In her spare time, Janaya enjoys playing volleyball, practicing yoga, and solving jigsaw puzzles.
Abi Baumgartner , M.A. Advanced Mental Performance Intern
Abi is a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Spalding University and is excited to join the Strive team as a Mental Performance Intern! She is interested in the intersection of mental skills training and holistic health, emphasizing the role of psychological resilience and recovery in sport.
As a former collegiate athlete, Abi recognizes the complex interplay between mental and physical toughness that is required to both perform through and endure adversity. She aspires to work with athletes to increase self-awareness and identify personal strengths that will enhance both their competitive edge and personal growth.
Abi recently earned her master's in clinical psychology at Spalding University and is continuing in their doctoral program. She earned her bachelor's in psychology with an emphasis in allied health at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2023, where she also played on the women's basketball team. The program achieved extensive accolades throughout her four-year career, including NCAA DIII National Championship Runner's Up in 2022. Abi has been on the receiving side of mental performance coaching in her student-athlete journey and hopes to offer a similar space that emphasizes mental well-being as a primary vessel for success in athletics.
