Meet Joanna Chen, PhD
LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST & SLEEP SPECIALIST IN SAN DIEGO & ONLINE ACROSS CA
My mission is to help you reclaim peace and rest, using strategies backed by science to improve sleep, mood, and overall wellbeing.
Most of my clients have been in survival mode for a long time: feeling exhausted in bed every night with a mind that won’t turn off, and drained before the day has even started. For some, sleep problems started after a major life event or traumatic event. For others, it’s intertwined with depression, anxiety, stress, disordered eating, etc.
I’m here to help you get to the root of why you can’t sleep and find strategies that will provide lasting relief.
About Me
As a clinical psychologist, I find the most joy in supporting people with problems that affect both their physical and mental health. I’ve witnessed firsthand - in my clients and myself - how poor sleep takes a toll on almost every aspect of our functioning and wellbeing. That’s why I chose to specialize in treating insomnia using CBT-I, a short-term, highly effective therapy that retrains your brain and body to sleep well without medication.
In addition to specializing in treating sleep problems, I provide evidence-based therapies to help people work through deeper-rooted issues that keep them stuck, whether that’s trauma, grief, disordered eating, postpartum depression and anxiety, or chronic stress and burnout. My goal is to help you find rest and calm again, in both the body and the mind, so you have the energy to show up for the people and parts of your life you care the most about.
I have had the privilege of working with clients from all walks of life, including college students, healthcare workers, pregnant and postpartum people, bereaved parents, and people living with chronic illnesses and pain. I love learning about each of my clients’ unique experiences and supporting them in living a life aligned with their values.
Outside of the therapy office, I enjoy sleeping, taking care of my houseplants, visiting national parks, hanging out with my cat, and watching football with my family.
Professional Background
EDUCATION & LICENSURE
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
Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD — VA-Certified Provider
Prolonged Exposure for PTSD
Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD
CBT for Eating Disorders (e.g., Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa)
ACT for Chronic Illnesses (e.g., Cystic Fibrosis)
My Therapy Approach
I specialize in evidence-based treatments that have been shown to be effective in facilitating long-lasting recovery and change, with extensive training from renowned experts in the field. These include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), etc.
My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and trauma-informed. I strive to create a nonjudgmental space where you feel empowered to grow out of patterns that are no longer helpful and reconnect with what matters the most to you.
My work is also informed by social justice principles. I believe systemic oppression creates health inequities and can have an immense impact on our emotional 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 create a safe and culturally sensitive space where all parts of you are supported and celebrated.
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!