Meet Joanna Chen, PhD, DBSM
LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST & BOARD-CERTIFIED SLEEP SPECIALIST IN SAN DIEGO, CA
Sleep problems rarely exist in a vacuum.
Chronic insomnia is often maintained by a cycle of conditioned arousal, circadian misalignment, unhelpful sleep behaviors, and anxiety about sleep that build up over time. Sleep problems sometimes begin after a major stressor, trauma, or life transition, and can become entangled with generalized anxiety, depressed mood, or nightmares.
CBT-I is a short-term behavioral treatment that directly targets these perpetuating factors. This is the work I’ve built my practice around.
About Me
As a clinical psychologist, the most rewarding part of my work is helping people with chronic insomnia sleep well again, without relying on medication. I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a short-term, evidence-based treatment that uses behavioral techniques to consolidate sleep and improve sleep quality. I hold the Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (DBSM) certification from the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine, awarded to fewer than 50 clinicians in California, and offer virtual CBT-I throughout California.
Sleep is often the first place we start, but it may not be the only issue affecting your quality of life. I also provide evidence-based therapy for trauma/PTSD, binge eating, and postpartum depression and anxiety when these concerns are part of the big picture. Improving your sleep can give us a stronger foundation for addressing what else is getting in the way.
I have had the privilege of working with clients from many different backgrounds, including college students, healthcare workers, attorneys, bereaved parents, and people living with chronic illness and pain. Across these different experiences, I help patients understand what is getting in the way, develop practical ways to cope, and make meaningful changes in their day-to-day lives.
Outside of the therapy office, I enjoy sleeping, going to the beach, visiting national parks, hanging out with my cat, and watching football with my family (Go Birds!).
Professional Background
CREDENTIALS & EDUCATION
Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (20261100450)
Licensed Psychologist in CA (PSY 35213)
Postdoctoral Fellowship, VA San Diego Healthcare System/UC San Diego
Predoctoral Internship, VA San Diego Healthcare System/UC San Diego
PhD in Clinical Psychology, Drexel University
MS in Clinical Psychology, Drexel University
BS in Psychology, UC San Diego
SELECTED EXTENSIVE TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS
CBT for Insomnia — VA-Certified Provider
CBT for Nightmares
Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD — VA-Certified Provider
Prolonged Exposure for PTSD
Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD
CBT for Eating Disorders, including Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa
ACT for Chronic Illnesses, including Cystic Fibrosis and NMOSD
My Therapy Approach
I specialize in evidence-based treatments, with a particular focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). I also draw from acceptance- and mindfulness-based skills, interpersonal psychotherapy, trauma-focused therapies, and other approaches depending on what we are actively working on. My goal is to use treatments that have strong research support and to tailor them to the patient in front of me.
My approach to therapy is collaborative and practical. We’ll work together to understand what’s contributing to the problem, identify patterns that may be keeping it going, develop a treatment plan based on your priorities, and use specific strategies to make meaningful changes.
My work is also informed by social justice principles. I believe systemic oppression contributes to health inequities and can affect both mental and physical health. I am firmly anti-racist, LGBTQ-affirming, I believe bodily autonomy is a fundamental right, and I focus on health and wellbeing for people of all sizes regardless of weight. I aim to provide therapy that respects each person’s background, identity, and lived experiences.
If you think I might be the right therapist for you, click below to schedule a phone consultation. I’d love to hear from you!