Cat Beer, Ph.D.
Psychological Associate - Therapist in San Diego
Dr. Beer is a Psychological Associate (PSB94029451) in California practicing under the supervision of Dr. Jacob Ambrose (PSY34639). She works with adults navigating ADHD, anxiety, burnout, trauma, and relationship patterns—particularly individuals who feel stuck in cycles of overworking, overthinking, or emotional overwhelm despite being highly capable and driven.
Many of the individuals Dr. Beer works with have spent years in “go mode”—constantly achieving, producing, or caring for others while becoming increasingly disconnected from their own needs or emotions. From the outside they may appear successful and put together. Internally, they may feel exhausted, self-critical, or unsure why the same patterns continue to repeat.
Dr. Beer helps clients understand the deeper emotional and nervous system patterns driving these experiences so they can move through life with greater clarity, balance, and self-trust.
You Might Be a Good Fit for Dr. Beer If…
• You are highly capable but feel stuck in patterns of overworking or overthinking
• You often operate in “go mode” and struggle to slow down
• You want to understand why certain emotional or relational patterns keep repeating
• You tend to analyze your emotions rather than fully experiencing them
• You’re looking for therapy that combines insight, nervous system awareness, and practical change
Working With High-Functioning Adults in
“Go Mode”
Many of Dr. Beer’s clients are thoughtful, capable individuals who struggle to slow down or step out of constant productivity. These individuals often operate with a strong internal drive and sense of responsibility, but over time that momentum can lead to emotional exhaustion and disconnection from their own needs. Clients may: • struggle to relax without feeling restless or guilty • feel constant pressure to perform or meet high expectations • take care of others while neglecting their own needs • experience cycles of productivity followed by burnout • feel disconnected from what they actually want • intellectualize their experiences or emotions rather than fully embody them Many of these patterns developed earlier in life as ways of adapting to stress, responsibility, or environments that required high levels of self-reliance. Therapy helps clients understand where these patterns originated and how they can begin shifting them.
Trauma, Attachment, and Emotional Patterns
Early relationships and life experiences shape how people relate to themselves and others. Dr. Beer’s work often focuses on helping clients understand the emotional patterns that developed through earlier experiences and how those patterns continue to influence present-day relationships and decisions. These patterns may show up as: • people-pleasing or over-functioning in relationships • difficulty trusting others or relying on support • emotional overwhelm or sudden shifts in mood • feeling numb, shut down, or disconnected • a persistent inner critic or sense of not being “enough” Many individuals are aware of these patterns but feel stuck repeating them. Therapy creates space to explore these dynamics more deeply and begin responding to them in new ways.
Understanding the Nervous System
Our nervous system plays a powerful role in how we experience stress, safety, and emotional reactions. Many people have spent years reacting automatically to stress without realizing how their body and past experiences influence those responses. Through therapy, clients often begin recognizing patterns such as: • feeling constantly activated or “on edge” • difficulty settling into rest or relaxation • shifting between overwhelm and emotional shutdown • reacting quickly in relationships without fully understanding why As awareness increases, individuals can begin responding more intentionally and develop greater emotional regulation and stability.
A Different Way of Moving Through Life
As therapy progresses, many clients begin experiencing life with less pressure and more intention. Rather than feeling driven by survival patterns or constant internal demands, individuals often begin to move through life with greater clarity and emotional balance. Clients frequently report: • greater emotional regulation • less self-criticism and internal pressure • improved relationships and communication • a clearer sense of direction and personal values
Dr. Beer’s Approach to Therapy
Dr. Beer approaches therapy with curiosity, helping clients understand their patterns rather than judging them. She integrates trauma-informed therapy, attachment-focused work, nervous system regulation, neurodivergence-informed perspectives, and self-compassion practices. Rather than viewing patterns as problems to eliminate, she helps clients understand the different parts of themselves that developed to cope with earlier experiences—such as the perfectionistic part, the overworking part, the avoidant part, or the inner critic. Her curiosity about her clients’ thoughts and experiences allows her to function as an objective mirror—reflecting observations as hypotheses to explore together rather than conclusions imposed on the client. Through this collaborative process, clients often begin to: • feel less controlled by automatic patterns • develop a more supportive relationship with themselves • respond to stress with greater flexibility • experience more stability in emotions and relationships
Professional Background
Dr. Beer brings both clinical and research experience to her work with clients. Her clinical training spans Veterans Affairs, forensic, inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings, allowing her to support individuals across a wide range of experiences—from high-functioning burnout to more complex trauma histories. Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Beer is an active researcher who has authored peer-reviewed publications and received awards for her professional presentations. She also contributes to ongoing conversations in psychology through academic and public-facing writing that helps make psychological science more accessible.
Working with Dr. Beer
Dr. Beer works with adults who are interested in understanding themselves more deeply and creating meaningful, lasting changes in how they experience their lives.
Many clients appreciate her thoughtful, grounded, and curious approach, as well as her ability to help them make sense of patterns that previously felt confusing or overwhelming.
If you are interested in working with Dr. Beer, our intake coordinator can help determine whether her approach may be a good fit for your goals.
To get started, fill out the contact form below, and our team will help guide you through the next steps.