Therapist profile
Dr. Cynthia Montgomery, CA Psychologist 8862
California Psychologist - Family and Parenting concerns
Continue with CynthiaAbout
- Depression and anxiety
- Parenting stress
- Trauma-informed work
About Cynthia
Dr. Cynthia Montgomery is a California Psychologist (CA Psychologist 8862) with 44 years of clinical experience. She focuses on depression, anxiety, relationship strain, family concerns, trauma and abuse, and parenting challenges. She sees adults who are managing grief, addictions, anger, or the ongoing stress of caregiving.
Her career includes work in neuropsychology and geriatric psychology. She has a long history treating people with addiction and addressing the roles family members take when a loved one struggles with substance use. That experience informs how she talks about family problems and codependency.
She has worked with active duty military and veterans on post-traumatic stress and related mood concerns. She has provided both individual and couple counseling and draws on life experience, including a divorce and a later long-term marriage, when helping adults facing relationship strain.
Her style is direct and practical. She wrote a parenting book titled "Kids were made cute so you won't throw them out the window," which reflects a down-to-earth way of talking about parenting stress and everyday family tensions.
Dr. Montgomery studied in part at the University of Costa Rica and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She practices from California and brings decades of experience to common family and life problems adults bring to therapy.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Dr. Montgomery uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy in ways that are easy to follow online. CBT looks at thoughts and behaviors and helps people test new ways of thinking and acting to reduce anxiety, panic, and mood problems. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on patterns left by past hurt and provides structured steps to process difficult memories and reduce their hold on daily life.She also integrates mindfulness-based ideas to help people notice strong emotions and respond more calmly. These methods are practical tools to use between sessions when parenting is stressful or when caregiving responsibilities build up. Choosing which approach to emphasize is a joint process. The therapist will talk through goals, try an approach, and adjust plans based on what helps the client make steady progress.
If you are considering online sessions, confirm the available session formats before booking since formats are not listed here. Online work can make therapy fit a busy day more easily - for example, shorter check-ins can be scheduled during a break, or audio-only sessions can be used when bandwidth is limited. Many people find it easier to keep regular appointments when sessions fit into existing routines rather than requiring extra travel.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
44+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family or parenting problems does she address?
She helps adults with parenting stress, family conflict, codependency, and the ripple effects of addiction on family roles.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is down-to-earth and straightforward, focusing on practical talk and concrete steps rather than abstract language.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 44 years of clinical experience, including work in neuropsychology, geriatric psychology, and addiction treatment.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a California Psychologist listed as CA Psychologist 8862 and practices from California.
Does she offer sessions in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can she work with people outside the United States?
She accepts international clients; confirm the logistics and time zones before scheduling.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule an initial session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.