(she/her)
Clients say this provider is
Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and received my Master of Social Work degree from Catholic University of America. I have been working with clients in a therapeutic setting for over 20 years with the focus of addressing current behaviors that are no longer helpful in their personal and professional lives. I help clients look at their behaviors from a lens of compassion rather than judgment so we can work together to find the underlying cause of your pain. I teach skills that focus on challenging negative thought patterns, negative core beliefs, using a cognitive behavioral approach as well as skills that address how to manage intense emotions when under stress. We work together to understand the deeper issues and we do so with thoughtfulness and respect to your experiences.
We will discuss what they are hoping to achieve in therapy, reassuring them that my focus is to address only those issues they feel comfortable discussing.
I have a way of connecting with clients in a manner that feels safe for them to share their experiences. I listen without judgment and always remain curious about how and what they are sharing. I am always learning and always growing so I continue to educate myself so I can be the best version of myself as a therapist to my clients.
I serve clients who struggle with addictive behaviors, childhood traumas, emotional neglect, sexual traumas, and combat experiences that continue to impact their relationships, family and marital troubles, as well as those who continue to carry shame and guilt. They have reached a point in their lives where they are willing and ready to look at their pain with curiosity and compassion so to release it and thrive again.
Cash - $125 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Gravie
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medi-Cal
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Gold Coast Health Plan Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Net (Medi-Cal)
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
IHSS Healthy Workers
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
Medicare
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Scripps Health Plan
SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP)
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Sutter Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
How we learn to connect with others and with ourselves is based off of how our caregivers modeled it in their relationships. This model provides a template for how we build connection and trust with others. If we are struggling in relationships using attachment theory can provide insight and a way to heal and move forward.
I use CBT to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are working together when responding to events. CBT helps to challenge negative thinking patterns as well as negative core beliefs.
I use IFS with clients who have struggled with childhood trauma that has yet to be addressed or processed. IFS helps to give “the younger self” a voice by discussing those traumas from the perspective of the child. If we want to heal from our past it is necessary to process what remains in our present.
I use MI with clients who are struggling with addictive behaviors who are unsure if they want to quit their behaviors. Using this method allows the client to discuss where they are in their recovery process without feeling judged.
37 ratings with written reviews
September 26, 2026
I can’t even put into words with just our first session. She has already made me feel validated and confident that she is going to help me work through everything that I don’t even know I need to work through, but she clearly does. I’m grateful that I found her.
August 12, 2026
Joanna is the absolute best. I'm so so grateful for her and to be working with her. I'm learning so much, and I genuinely feel a lot of growth and healing happening.
March 19, 2026
I just had my first session with Joanna and I can honestly say I have never felt as positive and hopeful about therapy as I do right now. I struggled with connecting with a few providers and always ended the sessions feeling unsure if I should continue with them, but with Joanna I know I am in good hands and look forward to future sessions with her. She is open minded, not judgemental, and very intelligent. She makes me feel heard and accepted. Thank you for what you do Joanna!