Dr. Catrina D. Cryer
I work with individuals from diverse backgrounds who are navigating emotional challenges, life transitions, stress, or changes that have affected their overall well-being. This may include anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship concerns, self-identity, career transitions, chronic or medical conditions, and other significant life experiences. As a retired Naval veteran, I bring personal insight into military culture, service-related experiences, and the unique challenges that may accompany transitions to civilian life. My experience spans both medical and mental health settings, including supporting military-affiliated individuals and people living with chronic illness. I strive to provide a safe and supportive space where clients can better understand themselves, strengthen coping skills, build resilience, and move toward meaningful change at a pace that feels right for them.
A core strength of my work is helping clients recognize their resilience and build practical skills to manage emotional challenges, navigate life transitions, and work toward meaningful, sustainable change.
First session
In our first session, we will complete a brief psychosocial assessment and explore what brought you to therapy. Together, we will begin identifying your concerns, strengths, goals, and what you hope to gain from therapy. We will also discuss what our work together may look like and address any questions you have. There is no pressure to share more than you feel comfortable sharing, we will move at a pace that feels safe, supportive, and collaborative.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can feel comfortable being themselves. I approach therapy collaboratively and recognize that each person brings unique experiences, strengths, challenges, and goals into the therapeutic space. My work integrates evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, strengths-based approaches, and trauma-informed care. I also consider how relationships, environment, health, and life experiences may influence emotional well-being. Rather than focusing only on what is going wrong, I help clients recognize their resilience, deepen self-awareness, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful changes that can extend beyond the therapy room.
Ideal clients
My ideal client may be navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship challenges, chronic illness, career changes, or major life transitions. I enjoy working with individuals who want to better understand themselves, recognize patterns, strengthen coping skills, and create meaningful change. You may be seeking greater self-awareness, healthier boundaries, improved relationships, or more balance in your life. You do not need to have everything figured out, just a willingness to begin, explore, heal, and grow.
Origin story
My path to becoming a therapist grew from years of working with individuals and families during some of the most challenging and vulnerable periods of their lives. Through my experiences in social work, medical settings, and mental health care, I saw how deeply life experiences can affect a person’s emotional well-being, relationships, physical health, and sense of self. I was drawn to therapy because I wanted to provide more than support during difficult moments. I wanted to help people better understand themselves, recognize the strengths they already possess, heal from difficult experiences, and develop tools that support meaningful and lasting change.
Ongoing work together
Our ongoing work will focus on increasing self-awareness, understanding patterns, developing healthier coping strategies, and creating meaningful change. Sessions build on your goals while allowing space for current concerns and life experiences. Progress may look like greater emotional awareness, healthier boundaries, improved coping, increased self-compassion, and feeling more confident making intentional choices in your life.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have extensive experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My approach is collaborative, structured, and individualized, allowing clients to recognize unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with healthier, more adaptive perspectives. I use CBT to help clients identify cognitive distortions, develop coping strategies, and build practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions. Sessions often include skill-building exercises, thought restructuring, and between-session practice to support lasting change.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I integrate mindfulness-based practices to support emotional regulation, self-awareness, and stress reduction. My approach emphasizes present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental observation, helping clients reconnect with themselves in a grounded and compassionate way. I incorporate mindfulness techniques such as breathing exercises, grounding practices, body awareness, and guided reflection to help clients manage anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and chronic stress. These practices are adapted to each client’s comfort level and integrated seamlessly into everyday life.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
I utilize Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to help clients identify strengths, resources, and past successes rather than focusing solely on problems. This approach is goal-oriented, empowering, and future-focused. I help clients clarify their goals, identify what is already working, and develop practical steps toward desired outcomes. SFBT is particularly effective for clients seeking clarity, motivation, and short-term support during life transitions or specific challenges.
Strength-Based
A strength-based perspective is foundational to my clinical work. I believe each client possesses inherent strengths, resilience, and the capacity for growth, even during difficult circumstances. I intentionally highlight clients’ abilities, values, coping skills, and lived experiences to build confidence and empowerment. This approach supports self-efficacy, reinforces resilience, and encourages clients to view themselves as capable agents of change.
Location
Virtual sessions