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CA Psychologist 8862

Dr. Cynthia Montgomery, CA Psychologist 8862

  • Experience44 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Family
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • LanguagesEnglish and Spanish
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About Cynthia

Dr. Cynthia Montgomery is a licensed psychologist in California with 44 years of clinical experience, blending long-term practice with practical, down-to-earth guidance.

Background and approach

Her work has centered on depression, anxiety, relationship and family challenges, trauma and abuse, and addictions, and she brings additional perspective from neuropsychology and geriatric concerns. Early academic training in Costa Rica contributed to her bilingual practice in English and Spanish, and she has worked with military populations and their families on PTSD, mood concerns, and couple issues.

Her therapeutic style is straightforward and pragmatic, shaped by decades of clinical work, personal experience with relationship transitions, and a ten-year focus treating addiction and its impact on family roles. She integrates evidence-based methods such as Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Trauma-Focused Therapy to address emotional distress, grief, parenting difficulties, and anger management.

Clients can expect an approach that balances warmth with clarity while attending to each person’s unique history and goals. Dr.

Montgomery maintains practice in California and accepts international clients. She conducts sessions in English and Spanish and works with people facing a wide range of life stressors, including caregiver strain, cancer-related concerns, obsessive and anxiety disorders, phobias, and family problems.

Integrating Internal Family Systems and Mindfulness Online

Dr. Montgomery uses Internal Family Systems to help clients explore the many parts that shape inner experience, guiding people to understand and heal the beliefs and emotions behind difficult patterns. She also employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and Mindfulness Therapy to strengthen present-moment awareness and emotional regulation. Each approach offers a different pathway for issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma responses, relationship difficulties, and addiction-related patterns.

Deciding which approach fits best is part of the initial work together; the therapist collaborates with clients to assess their needs, goals, and preferences and then adapts techniques from these methods to suit the individual. This collaborative process helps clarify priorities and builds a flexible plan that may combine elements from different therapies.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering scheduling flexibility and access across distances. These options make it easier to receive ongoing support while balancing work, caregiving, or travel, and they allow licensed professionals to maintain continuity of care for a wide range of concerns.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Dr. Montgomery address?
She works with a broad set of issues including stress, anxiety, relationship and family difficulties, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, grief, parenting, and anger, along with related areas such as caregiver stress and geriatric issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?
Her style is down-to-earth and straightforward, using evidence-based approaches like Internal Family Systems, CBT, Mindfulness, and Trauma-Focused Therapy to create practical, personalized care.
What is her clinical background and experience?
She is a licensed psychologist with 44 years of professional experience, including work in neuropsychology, geriatric psychology, and a decade treating addiction and family dynamics.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is licensed in California as CA Psychologist 8862 and maintains practice serving clients in that state while accepting international clients as well.
Can I work with her in languages other than English?
Yes, she is bilingual and provides services in both English and Spanish, reflecting part of her training completed in Costa Rica.
What session formats are available for remote care?
She offers multiple online session formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.
How are fees and billing handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin therapy with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

AddictionsGriefParenting issuesAnger management

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyFamily problemsVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

44+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English, Spanish