Meet Dr. Tart
Welcome to Cedar Psychology Services!
I am Candyce D. Tart, PhD (she/her), licensed clinical psychologist and the owner of Cedar Psychology Services.
I am trained in evidence-based practices and also listen deeply, adapting to the needs of my clients. I’ve spent my professional career working as a clinical psychologist caring for U.S. Military Veterans within the VA Healthcare System. This has given me invaluable experience in the treatment of many mental and behavioral health issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became evident that our communities had a need for more quality mental health care than was readily available. In 2024, I decided to open Cedar Psychology Services to provide services to New Mexico and Colorado residents.
I offer an individualized, culturally sensitive, and scientific approach to therapy.
I am warm, grounded, and culturally sensitive in my approach. After an initial conversation, I will collaborate with you in developing an individualized treatment plan. I will use our time wisely, checking in on your goals and progress frequently. Most clients only require 8-12 sessions of therapy to reach their goals.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my two rescue dogs, preferably hiking, river rafting, cross-country skiing, or playing music with my family or friends. The images on this website were all taken by me on my many outdoor adventures.
Treatment Approach
I will work with you individually to decide what approach works best for your treatment goals. Some evidence-based approaches I use include:
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Often our thoughts and behaviors keep us stuck and struggling. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, often called CBT for short, is a therapy approach that involves examining and changing the thoughts (the “stories” we tell ourselves) and behaviors (things we are doing or not doing) that get in the way of living the life we intend and wish to live. CBT is one of the most widely recommended Evidence-Based Therapy approaches that is used to treat a variety of issues. In CBT therapies, you will be invited to investigate and challenge and change any thoughts that are not accurate or helpful. You will also address any behaviors that are contributing to your suffering, and may be challenged to do things that you’ve been afraid to do or have been avoiding doing. Dr. Tart is trained and experienced in the delivery of several specific CBT treatment protocols that address issues such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nightmares, panic attacks, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
To learn more about specific CBT therapies that Dr. Tart offers and specializes in, CLICK HERE. -
If you find yourself having difficulty engaging in the activities that you know would give your life more meaning and purpose, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, otherwise known as ACT, may be helpful for you. ACT is another Evidence-Based Therapy approach that helps people learn to “get out of their heads and into their life” Through ACT you learn to be more present and mindful in your daily life, learn to quit struggling to manage and control things that are out of your control, and instead focus your energies and time on living a life of purpose. In sessions you will spend time clarifying what’s truly important to you, your values, and learning to use your values as a compass for living. You will also learn how to stop struggling with or trying to manage and control that which is out of your control, through the use of mindfulness and other experiential exercises so that you spend more of your time living, and less of your time struggling. Dr. Tart is trained in the use of ACT in assisting with depression, grief, trauma recovery, anxiety, and life changes like retirement, sudden disability or health changes, marriage or parenthood.
To learn more about ACT, CLICK HERE. -
If you are having difficulty just being in your own skin or being present for your life and the things that give your life meaning, mindfulness-based approaches can be particularly helpful. Mindfulness-based therapies are another Evidence-Based treatment approach that helps you be more present, focused, and fully engaged in your daily life. Mindfulness also assists us in stretching our tolerance for difficult experiences that many of us face, like chronic pain, cravings, stress, anxiety, chronic illness, and just general distress. Many of us get so wrapped up in the busy-ness of life and daily distractions, that we forget to actually be present for our life. Dr. Tart is experienced in delivery of several Mindfulness-Based Therapies.
To learn more about Mindfulness-Based Therapies, CLICK HERE. -
Ketamine and other psychedelic substances (MDMA, psilocybin) are proving to be helpful in the treatment of many challenging mental health issues including treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain. Studies demonstrate repeatedly that the beneficial outcomes of these medicines depend on the inclusion of psychotherapy for lasting benefits. I am completing a one-year intensive training and certification in the delivery of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy through Integrative Psychiatry Institute, and will complete in October, 2024. I can provide individual psychotherapy to those currently undergoing Ketamine infusions. As other treatments become FDA approved and available (e.g., MDMA, psilocybin), I will offer preparation, psychotherapy, and integration work for those working with these medicines.
To learn more about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, CLICK HERE.
To learn more about Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, CLICK HERE.
I received my PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2012 from Southern Methodist University, after completing my APA-accredited internship at the Southwest Consortium Doctoral Psychology Internship program in Albuquerque, NM. I then completed an APA-accredited postdoctoral residency specializing in PTSD at the New Mexico VA Health Care System in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2013. During my graduate studies, I specialized in the research and treatment of anxiety disorders, PTSD, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and have published 17 peer-reviewed journal articles on these topics. Since 2014, I have worked as a psychologist in the VA setting where I served in clinical and leadership roles, as well as provided training to psychology and psychiatry residents. I completed certification and intensive clinical training in ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA assisted psychotherapy through Integrative Psychiatry Institute and hold active Clinical Psychology licenses in both New Mexico and Colorado.
Training & Education
• Rosenfield, D., Smits, J.A.J., Hofmann, S.G., Mataix-Cols, D., Fernandez de la Cruz, L., Andersson, E., Ruck, C., . . . Otto, M.W. (2019). Changes in Dosing and Dose Timing of D-Cycloserine Explain Its Apparent Declining Efficacy for Augmenting Exposure Therapy for Anxiety-related Disorders: An Individual Participant-data Meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 68, 102149.
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• Mataiz-Cols, D., Fernandez de la Cruz, L., Monzani, B. Rosenfield, D., Anderson, E., Perez-Vigil, . . . Ruck, C. (2017). D-Cycloserine Augmentation of Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders. Jama Psychiatry.
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• Smits, J.A.J., Rosenfield, D., Otto, M.W., Powers, M.B., Hofmann, S.G., Telch, M.J., Pollack, M.H., & Tart, C.D. (2013). D-Cycloserine Enhancement of fear extinction is specific to successful exposure sessions: Evidence from the treatment of height phobia. Biological Psychiatry, 73, 1054-1058.
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• Tart, C. D., Handelsman, P., DeBoer, L. B., Rosenfield, D., Pollack, M. H., Hofmann, S. G., Powers, M. B., Otto, M. W., & Smits, J. A. J. (2013). Evaluation of the effects of post-session administration of D-cycloserine on exposure therapy outcomes. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 47, 168-174.
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• Hofmann, S.G., Smits, J.A.J., Rosenfield, D., Simon, N., Otto, M.W., Meuret, A.E., Marques, L., Fang, A., Tart, C.D., Pollack, M. (2013). D-cycloserine as an augmentation strategy of cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170, 751-758.
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• Olatunji, B.O., Rosenfield, D., Tart, C.D., Cottraux, J., Powers, M.B., & Smits, J.A.J. (2013). Behavioral versus cognitive treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: An examination of outcome and mechanisms of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 81, 415-428.
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• DeBoer, L., Tart, C.D., Presnell, K., Powers, M., Baldwin, A., & Smits, J.A.J. (2012). Physical activity as a moderator of the relation between anxiety Sensitivity and binge eating. Eating Behaviors, 13, 194-201.
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• Olatunji, B.O., Tart, C.D., Ciesielski, B.G., McGrath, P.B., Smits, J.A.J. (2012). Specificity of disgust vulnerability in the distinction and treatment of OCD. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 45, 1236-1242.
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• Nations, K.R., Smits, J. A. J., Tolin, D., Rothbaum, B., Hofmann, S., Tart, C. D., Lee, A., Schipper, J., Sjogren, M., Xue, D., Szegedi, A., Otto, M. W. (2012). Evaluation of the glycine transporter inhibitor Org 25935 as augmentation to cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder: A multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 73, 647-653.
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• Smits, J.A.J., Tart, C.D., Rosenfield, D.R., & Zvolensky, M.J. (2011). The interplay between physical activity and anxiety sensitivity in fearful responding to CO2 challenge, Psychosomatic Medicine, 73, 498-503.
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• Smits, J.A.J., Bonn-Miller, M.O., Tart, C.D., Irons, J.G., & Zvolensky, M.J. (2011). Anxiety sensitivity as a mediator of the relationship between moderate-intensity exercise and coping-oriented marijuana use motives. The American Journal on Addictions, 20, 113-119.
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• Smits, J.A.J., Rosenfield, D.R., Mather, A.A., Tart, C.D., Henriksen, C., & Sareen, J. (2010). Psychotropic medication use mediates the relationship between obesity and mood and anxiety disorders: Findings from a nationally representative sample. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 44, 1010-1016. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2010.04.00.
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• Olatunji, B.O., Tart, C.D., Shewmaker, S., Wall, D., & Smits, J.A.J. (2010). Mediation of symptom changes during inpatient treatment for eating disorders: The role of obsessive-compulsive features. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 44, 910-916. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2010.02.011.
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• Tart, C.D., Leyro, T.M., Richter, A., Zvolensky, M.J., Rosenfield, D.R., & Smits, J.A.J. (2010). Negative affect as a mediator of the relationship between vigorous-intensity exercise and smoking. Addictive Behaviors, 35, 580-585. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2010.01.009.
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• Smits, J.A.J., Tart, C.D., Presnell, K., Rosenfield, D., & Otto, M.W. (2009). Identifying potential barriers to physical activity adherence: Anxiety sensitivity and body mass as predictors of fear during exercise. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 39, 28-36. doi:10.1080/16506070902915261.
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• McDonald, R., Jouriles, E.J., Tart, C.D., & Minze, L.M. (2009). Children's adjustment problems in families characterized by men's severe violence toward women: Does other family violence matter? Child Abuse and Neglect, 33, 94-101.
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• Smits, J.A.J., Berry, A., Tart, C.D., & Powers, M. (2008). The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral interventions for reducing anxiety sensitivity: A meta-analytic review. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 46, 1047-1054.