Dr. Brenna Chirby, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist | Co-Founder, MindBalanceSPORT | McLean, VA
Dr. Brenna Chirby, Psy.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of MindBalanceSPORT, a mental performance coaching practice in McLean, Virginia. Early in her career, she served as sport psychologist for the Virginia Tech Athletic Department, where she developed and implemented the university's sport psychology program. With more than 20 years in private practice, she provides clinical supervision of the MBS mental performance coaches, working alongside co-founder Dr. Virginia Jones, who leads the practice day to day. Together, they help youth, collegiate, and elite athletes build the mental skills behind peak performance.
Or call 571-556-5423
Credentials at a Glance
- Doctorate
- Psy.D., American School of Professional Psychology (1999)
- License
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Virginia, with PSYPACT telepsychology authority
- Sport psychology
- Sport Psychologist, Virginia Tech Athletic Department (2000–2002)
- Experience
- 20+ years in private practice
- Specialized training
- Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE)
- Professional leadership
- Former Chair, Virginia Psychological Association Ethics Committee
Background in Sport Psychology
Dr. Chirby completed her post-doctoral residency at Virginia Tech's Cook Counseling Center and Athletic Department, where she received advanced training in sport psychology and in working with university students. She then stayed on at Virginia Tech. From 2000 to 2002, she served as a Cook Counseling Center psychologist and as the Athletic Department's sport psychologist, where she developed and implemented the university's Division I sport psychology program.
Her work on the mind-body connection goes back to graduate school. At California State University, Long Beach, her master's research examined the relationship between vigorous exercise and mood. She later developed the counseling center at the Art Institute of Washington and taught graduate psychology courses at Argosy University's Washington, DC campus and at Marymount University.
Dr. Chirby is trained in Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE), a mindfulness-based mental training program developed for athletes and performers.
Why Dr. Chirby Co-Founded MindBalanceSPORT
Dr. Chirby and co-founder Dr. Virginia Jones started MindBalanceSPORT after years of watching youth sports grow more competitive while the mental side of the game went untrained. They saw too many young athletes disengage, struggle with pressure, lose their enjoyment of sport, or get hurt from overtraining. They also saw too few programs teaching the mental skills that could help.
“As youth sports kept getting more competitive, we kept asking the same question: why isn't anyone teaching these kids basic sport psychology skills? Those skills carry into school and life. We didn't want to wait until athletes were already struggling.”
Dr. Chirby's Role at MBS
At MBS, Dr. Chirby provides clinical supervision of the MBS mental performance coaches, working alongside Dr. Virginia Jones. Together they anchor the evidence-based standards behind The MBS Approach, the practice's five-stage mental performance framework. That oversight shapes how MBS coaches work with youth, collegiate, and elite athletes, teams, and families, keeping coaching grounded in sport psychology research.
Dr. Chirby also writes and reviews MBS articles, so the guidance families read on this site reflects what the research actually shows.
Education, Training & Memberships
Education
- Psy.D., American School of Professional Psychology (1999)
- M.A., California State University, Long Beach
- Post-doctoral residency, Virginia Tech Cook Counseling Center and Athletic Department
Licensure
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Virginia
- PSYPACT authority to practice telepsychology in participating states
Specialized Training & Credentials
- Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE)
- Telepsychology Competencies Credential, National Register of Health Service Psychologists
Professional Memberships
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- APA Division 47: Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
- Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)
- Virginia Psychological Association (former Chair, Ethics Committee)
Teaching & Leadership
- Developed the counseling center at the Art Institute of Washington
- Taught graduate psychology courses at Argosy University (Washington, DC) and Marymount University
Speaking
To book Dr. Chirby to speak with your team, school, or organization, call 571-556-5423.
Articles by Dr. Chirby
Each article below was written or reviewed by Dr. Chirby.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Chirby
Is Dr. Brenna Chirby a licensed psychologist?
Yes. Dr. Chirby is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia and holds PSYPACT authority to practice telepsychology in participating states. She earned her Psy.D. from the American School of Professional Psychology in 1999 and has more than 20 years in private practice.
What is Dr. Chirby's background in sport psychology?
Dr. Chirby served as sport psychologist for the Virginia Tech Athletic Department from 2000 to 2002, where she developed and implemented the university’s sport psychology program. She is trained in Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE). She is a member of APA Division 47 (Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology) and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
Can Dr. Chirby work with athletes outside Virginia?
Through PSYPACT, Dr. Chirby is authorized to provide telepsychology in states that participate in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. She also holds the Telepsychology Competencies Credential from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. Availability depends on your state, so contact MBS to confirm.
What is Dr. Chirby's role at MindBalanceSPORT?
Dr. Chirby co-founded MindBalanceSPORT with Dr. Virginia Jones and provides clinical supervision of the MBS mental performance coaches. She helps anchor the evidence-based standards behind The MBS Approach and writes and reviews MBS articles.
How is Dr. Chirby different from an MBS mental performance coach?
Dr. Chirby is a licensed psychologist. MBS mental performance coaches build athletes’ mental skills, such as focus, confidence, and composure under pressure, and several hold the CMPC credential. They are coaches, not psychologists. Dr. Chirby provides clinical supervision of that coaching.
How do I get started with MBS?
Schedule a free consultation, or call 571-556-5423. The MBS team will learn about your athlete’s goals and match them with the right MBS professional. MBS offers sessions in person at its offices in McLean, VA and Plano, TX, and virtually.
Start With a Free Consultation
Schedule a free consultation with the MBS team. We'll learn about your athlete's goals and match them with the right MBS professional. Sessions are available in person at our McLean, VA and Plano, TX offices, and virtually.
1355 Beverly Road, Suite 225
McLean, VA 22101 Plano, TX
555 Republic Drive, Suite 212
Plano, TX 75074