Dr. Courtney Thomas, VA Psychologist 0810003763

Dr. Courtney Thomas uses clear, practical methods to help people cope with life changes and strong emotions. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside other approaches to help clients notice unhelpful thinking and try different behaviors. Her style is warm and collaborative. She emphasizes teamwork and practical steps people can use between sessions.

Dr. Thomas has 25 years of experience in mental health settings. She has worked in schools, shelters, community clinics, and a national security setting while also running a private practice. That range gives her familiarity with many life situations and transitions.

She holds a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and a master’s degree in the same field. Her training included a focus on adolescent and family concerns, and she has worked with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. She identifies as a VA Psychologist and practices in Virginia.

In sessions she often begins by listening to what matters most to the client. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to map connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. She also brings in client-centered and psychodynamic ideas when those approaches fit the goal.

Dr. Thomas helps people address stress, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, career questions, and social anxiety. She also works on attachment or blended family issues, divorce and separation matters, and life purpose questions. Her approach aims to be practical and goal-oriented while respecting each person’s experience.

How her approaches work online

Dr. Thomas commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT sessions typically involve identifying specific problems, testing new responses, and practicing skills between meetings to reduce anxiety or depressive symptoms.

She also draws on client-centered therapy, which focuses on listening and understanding each person’s perspective. This approach helps build a working relationship where goals are set together and sessions follow the client’s priorities.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will collaborate with the client to decide whether CBT, client-centered methods, or a mix of approaches best fits their needs and goals. That choice can shift as progress is made.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues matter. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a camera is not preferred. Live chat and text-based messaging can be used for shorter check-ins, quick problem-solving, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to keep momentum during change.