Many 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 traumatic event or life transition. For others, it’s tangled up with disordered eating, depression, anxiety, or stress.

I’m here to help you get to the root of why you can’t sleep and find strategies that will provide lasting relief.

A young woman smiling outdoors with dark hair, wearing a teal sweater, standing in front of trees and plants with orange flowers.

Meet Dr. Joanna Chen

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. It is 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.

Beyond treating sleep problems, I provide evidence-based therapies to help you work through deeper-rooted issues that keep you stuck, whether that’s trauma, grief, binge eating, emotional eating, 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 individuals, bereaved parents, Veterans, etc. Currently, I work as a women’s health psychologist at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. I love working with a diverse population and learn from my clients every day in my work.

Outside of the therapy office, I enjoy sleeping, trying new recipes, taking care of my houseplants, visiting national parks, and watching football on Sundays next to my cat.

Credentials and Education

  • 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

Therapy Approach

I provide treatments that have been shown to be effective in facilitating long-lasting recovery and change, with 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!