Dr. Cabrera is a licensed psychologist in the state of Arizona and provides telehealth psychological services in Arizona as well as in the following additional states through Psypact Legislation: AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, , TX, UT, VA, ,WA, WV and WI.
Get Dr. Cabrera’s Book
Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty, and Life after Pregnancy is for every woman who has ever doubted herself or her self-worth after the birth of a child. Because most women spend much of their lives attempting to change their bodies, it’s not surprising that the weight gain that comes along with pregnancy (and post-pregnancy), coupled with the challenges of parenting, only exacerbates issues with weight, body image, disordered eating, and self-esteem.
Dr. Dena Cabrera
What is your story? How does the story you tell yourself impact you? Do you have someone to listen and really hear you?
I became a psychologist and author because I am genuinely interested in helping individuals find purpose in their lives. I find that people’s stories help define their meaning and purpose. I have always been drawn to helping individuals and families find the resiliency they have inside them and to connect to the meaning based on their stories and how they tell it.
My training, research, reading, and consistent yearning to grow and learn, contribute to the way I deliver treatment. But honestly, after all the credentials, it’s the connection and compassion I have with individuals and families that make the difference. My clients tell me that they learn things no one has taught them, and they feel understood. Their stories begin to change, they find relief and start to find themselves again.
I love to help others tell their own stories and do this incredible work. I provide supervision, training, and consultation for therapists and treatment professionals. It’s my passion to teach and support others.
I live with my incredible family in Arizona. I love to read, see and experience people’s stories through traveling, musical theatre, and art. I am really into bullet journaling.
Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” I am interested in you and your story. Let’s connect.
Professional Bio
Dena Cabrera, Psy.D., CEDS, is a Clinical Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist with a wealth of diverse clinical experience, including over 24 years of treating individuals, families, and groups with a range of psychological and psychiatric disorders. Prior to opening Cabrera Psychological Services, Dr. Cabrera was the Vice-President of Clinical Services for Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders in which she oversaw all clinical aspects of patient care operations, program development, staff training, and supervision throughout the Rosewood system. Over the years, Dr. Cabrera has worked in all levels of care, and has worked at and helped run two of the most established and world-renowned eating disorder treatment centers in the country. Dr. Cabrera is an advocate for policy change as it pertains to prevention, awareness, and treatment for eating disorders.
Her specialized training includes neuropsychological and psychological assessment, dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Polyvagal theory.
Dr. Cabrera is a nationally recognized eating disorder leader in the field. She has authored numerous articles and publications and is honored by her academic and clinical peers for contributing vital resources to the field of eating disorders. She co-authored Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty and Life After Pregnancy (Rowman & Littlefield), the first resource of its kind that speaks to moms and those who love them through a personal and compassionate lens that assists in healing from body-image disturbances and eating disorders.
Dr. Cabrera is a sought-after presenter for colleges, conferences, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and in the past, she has written a monthly blog for Psychology Today. She has been a featured expert on numerous national and local news and talk shows for over 15 years including The Anderson Cooper Show, The Early Show with Mike and Juliet, Sonoran Living, Smart Living, The Pat McMahon Show, Your Life A to Z, Doctor Radio on SiriusXM and a special DVD series on Parenting for Focus on the Family. Dr. Cabrera has been featured in national and local publications such as Huffington Post, Arizona Foothills Magazine, Raising Arizona Kids, EDMatters, and MASK (Mothers Awareness of School-Age Kids).
Dr. Cabrera has served as the President of iaedp (international association of eating disorders professionals) and currently is the past president and executive board member of iaedp. She is an advisory board member of Rock Recovery and a board member of the Eating Disorder Coalition. She received her BA from UCLA and MA and PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles.
Dr. Cabrera loves laughing and playing games with her family. She enjoys traveling, reading, and musical theatre. She supports and loves her Musical Theatre of Anthem community.
Get Dr. Cabrera’s Book
Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty, and Life after Pregnancy is for every woman who has ever doubted herself or her self-worth after the birth of a child. Because most women spend much of their lives attempting to change their bodies, it’s not surprising that the weight gain that comes along with pregnancy (and post-pregnancy), coupled with the challenges of parenting, only exacerbates issues with weight, body image, disordered eating, and self-esteem.