Courtney Cantrell, Ph.D.
Dr. Courtney Cantrell is a Licensed Psychologist who blends evidence-based practices, including Cognitive-Behavioral and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She supports clients in the identification of their values and figuring out how to move toward the life they want to live, focusing more on the present and on moving forward in ways that align with their values. She particularly enjoys working with clients who have a spiritual/religious practice that they want to be a part of their recovery or growth. Dr. Cantrell has training in hypnotherapy as an additional tool when needed.
Dr. Cantrell graduated with her Ph.D. and Master of Science in Psychology from Florida State University after obtaining her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University. Her early interest and dissertation were focused on how people cope with aging, and she gained a broad array of clinical experiences in various inpatient and outpatient settings. She completed her clinical psychology internship through the U.S. Air Force as a Captain in the Washington, D.C., area, then transferred to California to complete her four-year active-duty commitment. Dr. Cantrell's internship further broadened her skills in working with clients to manage stress which impacted health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic headaches.
While in the Air Force, Dr. Cantrell assisted members struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use, and general work stress. Upon leaving the Air Force in 2008, Dr. Cantrell fulfilled her dream of living in North Carolina. She worked with nurse case managers to help improve the care of Medicaid members across the State. Her interest in the impact that lifestyle, mental health, and stress have on physical health led her to North Carolina's Medicaid administration office, and then on to a role as the Senior Director of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services as well as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of NCDHHS on Integrated Care. She has since also worked at both non-profit and national, publicly-traded companies focused on managing healthcare. She brings a unique understanding of state, non-profit, and corporate work situations.
Dr. Cantrell recently decided to get back to her roots and joined Etheridge Psychology to offer individual therapy part-time, while also consulting with other states on mental health and substance use policy issues.
Professional Associations:
American Psychological Association
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
North Carolina Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Dr. Cantrell enjoys escaping to the mountains and hiking to waterfalls, kayaking, gardening, volunteering at her church, and spending time with her husband, two daughters and two dogs.