Meet Dr. B
Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, Ed.D. PMHNP
Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, known as Dr. B, is a passionate mental health professional dedicated to helping others build resilience and take control of their mental well-being. With years of experience, she has focused on guiding individuals to overcome challenges and achieve lasting change, believing in the potential for growth and strength in everyone.
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About
Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, EDD PMHNP (Dr. B.) has developed a revolutionary new way to approach teaching resilience – the Mentally STRONG Method.
Through the success of the Method in the Mentally STRONG Clinic and her relentless passion for teaching and outreach, Dr. B created the Mentally STRONG Academy, a full-service educational platform bringing the Mentally STRONG Method to everyone.
Through coaching, events, online and in-person courses, books, and worksheets, individuals can learn how to use the Mentally STRONG Method for themselves or their families, learning how to confront negative self-talk and feelings of hopelessness through a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) lens. The Mentally STRONG Method shows individuals that these overwhelming thoughts can be organized, and once we understand where they are coming from, we can choose how to respond to them.
Dr. B’s vision extends beyond individual care; she is committed to fostering a community of mental health professionals equipped with the tools and knowledge to make a broader impact. Her work through Mentally STRONG empowers individuals and professionals alike to transform lives by applying the principles of resilience and cognitive behavioral techniques. Through this innovative approach, Dr. B continues to inspire and guide others in their journey toward mental strength and well-being.
Meet Dr. B
Founder and Creator of The Mentally STRONG Method
I am originally from Miami, FL, where I accepted Christ after the devastating Hurricane Andrew. My husband and I have seven children, two biological and five adopted from the foster care system. My husband and two biological children have a devastating, rare, and difficult-to-diagnose disease that struck us unexpectedly, challenging our view of life and faith in God.
I have been a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2000, with extensive experience with clients of all ages. My career began as an Army Medic before attending Florida International University (FIU) nursing school.
I have worked in various nursing positions, including missionary work in Jamaica, Mexico, and Peru. I continued at FIU and obtained a master’s in nursing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, then continued to Nova Southeastern for my Doctorate.
With a deep desire to serve my country again, I was commissioned in the US Navy Reserves, where I still do.
Here at Mentally STRONG I want you to be empowered by our model of providing psychoeducational counseling through the Mentally STRONG Method.
Life is filled with joy and pain in varying degrees for different people. We have had our share of both, and we recognize that people are immensely resilient and are never given more than they can handle. We also appreciate that while we have experienced heart-wrenching setbacks through the years, our family has relied on each other for comfort and support. Supporting each other is undoubtedly one of our family’s greatest strengths.
Who is Dr. Cristi Bundukamara?
Dr. Cristi Bundukamara — known as Dr. B — is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Healthcare Education, US Army veteran, retired US Navy Reserve Commander, published author, and founder of Mentally STRONG. She created the Mentally STRONG Method in 2018 to teach mental strength as a learnable, repeatable skill.
What are Dr. B’s credentials and qualifications?
Dr. B holds a Doctorate in Healthcare Education from Nova Southeastern University, a Master’s in Psychiatric Nursing from Florida International University, and has been ANCC board-certified as a PMHNP since 2011. She has served as a clinical professor for psychiatric nurse practitioner students at institutions including Yale, Johns Hopkins, and Vanderbilt.
What is the Mentally STRONG Method?
The Mentally STRONG Method is a cognitive restructuring framework built on three steps: Think — identify and examine the thought; Organize — sort your experience into clear categories; Choose — make an intentional decision aligned with who you want to become. It is rooted in cognitive-behavioral principles and designed to be used on any challenge, any day.
Why did Dr. B create Mentally STRONG?
Dr. B founded Mentally STRONG after decades of clinical practice and personal experience with profound loss — including the loss of her son Reggie in 2016 and her daughter Miah in 2021. Those losses, and her journey through them using the framework she had spent years developing, became the foundation of everything Mentally STRONG stands for. Mental strength isn’t born. It’s built.
Does Dr. B offer psychiatric services in addition to coaching?
Yes. Mentally STRONG is both a coaching brand and a psychiatric practice. Dr. B and her clinical team offer psychiatric evaluations and ongoing care for adults, children, and adolescents, along with specialty services including ketamine-assisted therapy and EEG neurofeedback — all based in Colorado Springs, CO.
Has Dr. B been featured in the media?
Yes — including Psychology Today, Yahoo News, Fox 21 News, KOAA, and over 100 additional publications. She is a professional speaker, a continuing education provider for the National Board for Certified Counselors, and a published author with titles including Pain and Purpose: My Journey of Mental Strength and Grieve with Purpose.