Ashburn Psychology in Sports| Riverside Counseling Center

Sports psychology youth counseling in Ashburn, Virginia is availble at Riverside Counseling. The EDGE™ Program is Riverside’s signature framework for athletes who know the game isn’t just physical, it’s mental. Led by licensed therapist and athlete Mike Ellis, LCSW, EDGE™ combines cutting-edge sports psychology with personalized counseling to help athletes sharpen focus, build resilience, and play with confidence. Whether you’re recovering from injury, chasing peak performance, or learning to manage the pressure of competition, Mike brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and real-world athletic experience. From youth athletes to seasoned competitors, EDGE™ equips you with the tools to perform at your best, on and off the field.

EDGE™ is Riverside’s specialized sports counseling program designed to help athletes strengthen the most important muscle they have: their mind.

Developed and led by Mike Ellis, LCSW, our licensed therapist and athletic trainer, EDGE™ blends sports psychology, performance coaching, and mental health counseling into a powerful framework.

Through tailored sessions, athletes learn to:

Reframe setbacks and recover stronger after injuries
Manage performance anxiety and in-game pressure
Build mental resilience to handle adversity
Develop focus, discipline, and confidence on and off the field

EDGE™ isn’t a one-size-fits-all program : it’s personalized support for athletes at every level who want to compete with clarity, confidence, and mental toughness.

Born in Loudoun County, EDGE™ isn’t just a name — it’s a mindset. Each letter represents a pillar of the program:

E : Endurance (of the Mind)
Mental stamina to stay focused, steady, and resilient no matter the score.

D : Discipline
The habits, consistency, and commitment that separate good athletes from great ones.

G : Growth
Learning from setbacks, pushing past limits, and always moving forward.

E : Excellence
Bringing your best self, on the field, in the classroom, and in life.

EDGE™ is about more than winning. It’s about building the mental framework that fuels performance and personal growth long-term...right here in Loudoun, for athletes at every level.

Lets get to work.

1. Consultation Call

Free 15 min Consultation Call with Mike Ellis, LPC, to talk through your goals, challenges, and what you’re looking to get out of the EDGE™ Program. This first visit sets the foundation for your training plan.

2. Complete Your Assessment

Take the EDGE Sport Personality Assessment a powerful tool that measures twenty personality dimensions across four key areas of your mental game:

Confidence & mental resilience
Achievement drive & competitiveness
Sportsmanship
Power, assertiveness & aggressiveness

The Assessment also provides insights into your overall mental skills and your potential for team leadership.

3. Begin the Program (In Office)

Kick off with personalized sessions in a supportive environment, where Mike helps you understand your assessment results and map out your mental performance goals.

4. Take It to the Court, Field, or Track

Training doesn’t stay in the office. EDGE™ brings sessions to where you play: applying strategies in real-world settings so you can practice and perform under real conditions.

5. Crush It

With new tools, strategies, and mindset, you’ll take the field (or court, or track) with clarity, confidence, and a competitive edge that lasts beyond the game.

Who Should Consider The Edge?

EDGE™ is designed for athletes of all levels who want to strengthen the mental side of their game. You may benefit if you are:

Recovering from an injury and need support rebuilding confidence and trust in your body.
Feeling performance pressure or anxiety before games, tryouts, or big competitions.
Struggling with consistency, motivation, or balancing sports with academics and life.
Highly competitive and looking for an edge to separate yourself from other athletes.
A young athlete or parent wanting to build healthy habits around mindset, confidence, and resilience.
A coach or team leader seeking tools to inspire and support your athletes’ mental performance.

EDGE™ isn’t only for elite athletes — it’s for anyone in Loudoun who knows their mental game matters just as much as their physical one.s needed.

Still Unsure? Ask yourself (or your athlete):

✅ Do you feel pressure, nerves, or anxiety before games or tryouts?
✅ Are you coming back from an injury and need help trusting your body again?
✅ Do you ever struggle with motivation, focus, or consistency in your sport?
✅ Are you highly competitive and looking for ways to stand out from the pack?
✅ Do you want to become a stronger leader on your team?
✅ Are you (or your child) a youth athlete who could benefit from building mental toughness early?

If you checked “yes” to any of these, the EDGE™ Program was built for you.

Getting Started

To learn more about our Edge Program services in Ashburn, VA, or to schedule a consultation session with Mike Ellis, reach out today. We’ll be happy to explore whether this approach is a good fit for you.

Riverside Counseling & Psychiatry has been supporting emotional well-being in Loudoun County since 2002—and we’re proud to continue that tradition by offering therapy that meets you where you are.