About Dr. Cat
 

Dr. Cat, Psychotherapist in San Diego, CA

 

Dr. Beer frequently works with adults experiencing:

• anxiety and chronic "overthinking"
• trauma and PTSD
• neurodivergence, ADHD, and attention-related challenges
• burnout and high-functioning stress
• perfectionism and harsh self-criticism
• relationship and attachment patterns

 

Many of her clients are thoughtful, driven individuals who want therapy that goes beyond surface-level coping and instead helps them understand why they feel and respond the way they do.

 

Working With High-Functioning Adults in “Go Mode”

A common theme in Dr. Beer’s work is helping individuals who are used to operating in constant motion.

 

These individuals may:

• struggle to slow down or relax without feeling restless or guilty
• feel driven to achieve, perform, or meet high expectations
• take on responsibility for others while neglecting their own needs
• experience cycles of productivity followed by exhaustion
• feel disconnected from what they actually want or need

 

Often, these patterns developed earlier in life as ways of adapting to stress, relationships, or environments that required high levels of responsibility or self-reliance.

While these patterns may have once been protective or necessary, they can become limiting over time.

 

Therapy helps individuals understand where these patterns came from—and how to begin shifting them.

 

Trauma, Attachment, and Emotional Patterns

Dr. Beer’s work is grounded in the understanding that early relationships and life experiences shape how individuals think, feel, and relate to others.

 

These patterns may show up in everyday life as:

• people-pleasing or over-functioning in relationships
• difficulty trusting others or relying on support
• emotional overwhelm or sudden shifts in mood
• feeling shut down, numb, 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 provides a space to explore these dynamics more deeply and begin responding to them in new ways.

 

Understanding the Nervous System

A central part of Dr. Beer’s approach involves helping clients understand how their nervous system influences their emotional and behavioral responses.

 

Many individuals have spent years reacting automatically to stress without realizing how their body and past experiences are shaping those reactions.

 

Through therapy, clients begin to recognize patterns such as:

• feeling constantly activated or “on edge”
• difficulty settling into rest or relaxation
• shifting between emotional overwhelm and shutdown
• reacting quickly in relationships without fully understanding why

 

As this awareness develops, individuals are better able to regulate their responses and feel more grounded in their day-to-day lives.

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Dr. Beer’s Approach to Therapy

Dr. Beer integrates neurodivergence- and trauma-informed therapy, attachment-focused work, nervous system regulation, and self-compassion practices. Her approach emphasizes understanding rather than judgment.

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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 client's thoughts and experiences helps her become an objective mirror, reflecting back her observations as hypotheses to be evaluated together rather than facts. 

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Through this 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 relationships and emotions

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A Different Way of Moving Through Life

As therapy progresses, many individuals begin to notice meaningful shifts. Life may feel less driven by pressure or survival patterns and more guided by intention and choice.

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Clients often experience:

• greater emotional balance and regulation
• less self-criticism and internal pressure
• improved relationships and communication
• a clearer sense of direction and personal values

 

Rather than constantly pushing through life, individuals begin to feel more grounded, connected, and aligned with themselves.

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Professional Background

Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Beer is an active researcher who has authored peer-reviewed publications and received awards for her professional presentations. She continues to contribute to ongoing conversations in the field through both academic and public-facing writing, helping make psychological science more accessible and applicable.​

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Working With Dr. Beer

Dr. Beer works with adults who are interested in understanding themselves at a deeper level and making meaningful, lasting changes in how they experience their lives. Many clients appreciate her thoughtful, grounded, and compassionate approach, as well as her ability to help them make sense of patterns that previously felt confusing or overwhelming. 

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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.

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Schedule a consultation by filling out the form below.

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