Meet Cherry Mckinstry
Hi, I'm Cherry
(she/her)
You love each other, but somehow you keep ending up in the same painful conversations. Maybe one of you pushes for answers while the other shuts down. Maybe you’ve started feeling more like roommates than partners. Or perhaps trust has been damaged and you’re wondering whether your relationship can actually feel secure again. I specialize in helping couples understand the pattern they’ve gotten caught in and find their way back to each other.
I’m a Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing couples therapy throughout Washington state and Arkansas via telehealth. I take an engaged, hands-on approach to couples therapy. I won’t simply sit back while you repeat the same argument you have at home. I’ll help you slow down the moments where you get stuck, understand what’s happening between you, and guide you toward finding each other’s hearts again.
Together, we’ll make sense of the cycle you’re caught in and begin creating new experiences of reaching for and responding to one another. As our work progresses, I’ll also help you notice these patterns outside of therapy so the changes we’re creating in session begin showing up in everyday life.
Not sure whether you want couples therapy?
Sometimes the question isn’t “How do we fix our marriage?”
It’s “Do we even want to try?”
I also offer Discernment Counseling for couples where one partner is leaning toward leaving while the other wants to preserve the relationship. The goal isn’t to pressure either of you toward staying or separating. It’s to help you gain clarity and confidence about what comes next.
Fun facts: Outside of therapy, you’ll usually find me chasing my twin boys around the park, where we’re currently working on our toes-to-bar skills. I also love good coffee, good food, and bass fishing with my family.
Areas of Focus with Clients
- Stuck in repeated arguments that never fully resolve
- Feeling disconnected, distant, or like roommates instead of partners
- Rebuilding trust and security after infidelity or broken trust
- Navigating differences in values, cultures, or expectations
- Managing new parenting roles or blended family while staying emotionally connected
- Difficulty expressing needs without criticism, defensiveness, or shutdown
- Premarital couples wanting a strong, secure foundation
- Unsure whether to stay or separate
- One partner leaning in, the other leaning out
- Wanting clarity without pressure
- Making thoughtful decisions while reducing harm, especially with children involved
- Support in transitioning toward repair or respectful separation
- Feeling stuck in patterns of overthinking or emotional disconnection
- Anxiety in relationships (e.g., “Do they really care about me?”)
- Difficulty with boundaries, over-giving, or resentment
- Struggles with regret, shame, guilt, anger
- Tendency to shut down, avoid, or feel emotionally numb
- Navigating life transitions, identity shifts, or relational stress
- Wanting to feel more grounded, secure, and confident
Credentials and Training
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Washington State & Arkansas)
- ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy High Conflict Training
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Core Skills Advanced Training
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Externship
- Certified Facilitator, Prepare and Enrich
- Level 1 Certified, Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Master of Arts: Clinical Psychology, MFT, Azusa Pacific University
Session Fees:
- $220 for 50-min therapy session
- $300 for 80-min therapy session
- Superbills available for clients to self bill insurance
Cherry's Contact Information:
Email: cherry@healingmomentscounseling.net
Phone: 714-487-9907
Cherry sees clients in Washington State & Arkansas via telehealth.
Cherry McKinstry is working in association with Healing Moments Counseling and is solely responsible for the healthcare services Cherry McKinstry provides.
Client Reviews

Healing Moments Counseling is an excellent resource to the community. The therapists are competent, caring, and exceptional. As a local Psychologist I cannot say enough how wonderful Dr. Kimberly Castelo and her team are. I highly recommend this practice!
Rachel Needle
Google Review

Healing Moments Sex and Couples Therapy is my number one recommendation for a group practice. The practice and the providers are top quality in education and training with Kimberly Castelo guiding and mentoring the team.
Ronda Evans
Google Review

Kim brings a listening ear and so much wisdom as she counsels. You can dump your stuff and she’s not phased by it. She’s a great partner in the healing process. We could all use another counseling session with Kim!
Trish Beagle
Google Review
