Dr. Christi Ulmer began her professional life as an environmental scientist working for the Environmental Protection Agency in Atlanta, Georgia. While she never lost her love of the outdoors, her interactions with the healthcare system during an illness lead her to pursue a career exploring the mind’s role in health in the field of health psychology. She completed her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Louisville (2004), a pre-doctoral internship in Behavioral Medicine at the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Palo Alto, California (2006), and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Louisville (2006). She is designated as a Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine by the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Dr. Ulmer has extensive experience assessing and treating a range of sleep disorders using behavioral approaches delivered via telehealth, individual and group formats. She works with clients using a collaborative approach, with a focus on the clients’ priorities and values. She prioritizes research-supported approaches in her work, and she enjoys integrating meditation and spirituality into treatments when this is a good fit for her clients. She endeavors to provide a therapeutic space that feels welcoming for all. When not working, Dr. Ulmer values time with her partner, her friends and family. She also enjoys gardening, cycling, hiking, camping and just being outdoors.

Dr. Natalie Cross began her career as a Pharmacy Technician working in long-term care and hospital settings. This experience engendered a love of healthcare and a desire to focus on how thoughts, behaviors, and lifestyle changes can optimize health. Dr. Cross completed her undergraduate Psychology degree at North Carolina State University (2000), her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at East Carolina University (2004), a pre-doctoral internship at the North Florida/South Georgia VA Health Care System in Gainesville Florida, and her Ph.D. in Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida (2009). Dr. Cross worked with the Durham VA Health Care System from 2009-2023. She has over 15 years of experience with assessing and treating behavioral sleep disorders through individual, group and virtual therapy. Dr. Cross has provided cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) to a wide range of individuals, to include people with depression and anxiety. She has a warm and empathic interpersonal style that emphasizes a whole-person approach to care. Dr. Cross uses a strengths-based, growth mindset in relating to others. She especially enjoys sleep treatments that include mindfulness meditation and self-compassion as key components. Training the next generation of Clinical Psychologists in Behavioral Sleep Medicine has been a passion for Dr. Cross. She co-created multiple psychology training programs during her time with the Durham VA, with a focus on clinical teaching for psychology doctoral students and interns. She has also worked with a range of postdoctoral fellows specializing in the behavioral treatment of sleep disorders. Outside of work, Dr. Cross finds joy in spending time outside, hiking in the woods, and crime fiction novels. She also gets a kick out of trying new recipes and baking for her family.