Where acceptance meets change.

Cruz Psychology provides compassionate, evidence-based therapy for adolescents and adults navigating:

  • eating disorders

  • anxiety/OCD

  • emotion dysregulation

  • self-harm/suicidality

Treatment is tailored to each person’s strengths, needs, developmental stage, and family context and is grounded in evidence-based approaches such as:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Family-Based Treatment (FBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

I believe therapy should be both compassionate and practical. I help individuals build skills they can use in real life, develop greater flexibility in how they respond to difficult emotions and experiences, and move toward lives that feel more meaningful and manageable.

I also believe caregivers deserve to feel supported - not blamed or left out. When appropriate, families are an important part of treatment, and I work collaboratively to help caregivers feel more confident navigating difficult moments at home.

My goal is to create a space that feels authentic, supportive, and grounded: a place where individuals feel understood, families feel supported, and meaningful change feels possible.

A peach-colored tufted sofa with a white and black patterned throw blanket draped over the back. To the right of the sofa is a dark wooden side table with books and a small decorative coral sculpture on top. The background is a plain light-colored wall.

Meet the Psychologist:

CJ Cruz, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

License #36941

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My name is Claudia Cruz, Psy.D., but I go by CJ. I am the owner of Cruz Psychology, PLLC. I am a California-licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the care of adolescents and young adults with eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, and emotion dysregulation.

My approach is structured, compassionate, and tailored to each individual’s unique strengths, needs, and family context, with a focus on building real life skills, reducing high-risk behaviors, and helping families feel more confident navigating tough moments. I provide outpatient psychotherapy through secure telehealth for clients located throughout California.

I have trained in a variety of medical and psychiatric settings, including Rady Children’s Hospital Medical Behavioral Unit, San Diego Center for Children, and UTEP Counseling and Psychological Services. I completed my APA-accredited predoctoral internship at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital and my postdoctoral fellowship at Align Treatment Center.

I completed my doctorate degree in clinical psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, my master’s degree in clinical psychology at The University of Texas at El Paso, and my bachelor’s degree at American University.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and three bulldogs. When I can, I am either reading or outside - traveling, hiking, or just getting some fresh air.

Contact

Have questions? Ready to begin? Reach out today and I will help you take the next steps.