Dr. Cynthia Montgomery, CA Psychologist 8862

Dr. Cynthia Montgomery is a licensed psychologist in California with 44 years of clinical experience, holding the California license CA Psychologist 8862. She brings a broad clinical background that spans depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, relationship and family concerns, addictions, grief, parenting challenges, and geriatric issues. Her practice also addresses caregiving stress, cancer-related adjustment, codependency, veteran and armed forces issues, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive concerns, panic and phobias, and social anxiety.

Her training includes work in neuropsychology and geriatric psychology, and she has substantial experience supporting active duty military personnel and their families with post-traumatic stress, depression, and couples issues. Dr. Montgomery provides both individual and couples counseling, drawing on a straightforward, down-to-earth style that aims to make difficult topics easier to address.

A decade of treating people with addiction shaped her understanding of how substance use affects family roles and dynamics. Personal life experience - navigating a divorce and later celebrating a 40-year marriage with her second husband - has informed her approach to helping couples through transition and reconciliation. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, having completed part of her studies at the University of Costa Rica, and is the author of the parenting book "Kids were made cute so you won't throw them out the window."

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Cynthia Montgomery uses evidence-informed methods adapted for remote work, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns - it is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and phobias by teaching practical skills to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning. Trauma-Focused Therapy addresses the emotional and physiological impact of traumatic experiences, offering targeted coping strategies and structured interventions to reduce trauma-related distress and support recovery.

Mindfulness Therapy is also a frequent component of her work, teaching present-focused awareness and acceptance skills that can reduce stress and improve emotional regulation, which can be useful for anxiety, mood concerns, and chronic stress. Dr. Cynthia Montgomery approaches treatment collaboratively - she will work with each person to determine the most suitable methods based on needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Dr. Montgomery is offered by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from varied locations, accommodate caregiving or work commitments, and maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are not practical.