Dr. Joanna R. Benavidez is NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS FOR TREATMENT, HOWEVER SHE IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING PATIENTS WHO NEED SURGERY EVALUATIONS.
Dr. Benavidez accepts the following insurances/modes of payment:
Medicare (Not Medicare Advantage Products)
United HealthCare (UHC/OPTUM/UMR)
Aetna
Carelon
Selected insurances for surgery evaluations through Scripps Hillcrest Contract
Cash Pay (out of pocket) Available
Dr. Benavidez's Contact Information:
PHONE: (760) 694-0327 (CALL OR TEXT)
E-MAIL: Dr.JRBenavidez@PCpsych.net (this email address is encrypted end to end).
FAX: (855) 928-4320
Information about Dr. Joanna R. Benavidez:
Dr. Joanna R. Benavidez is a distinguished clinical psychologist that has operated in the healthcare field for almost two decades with her sharp expertise and compassionate care. She hails from a diverse professional background, where she embarked on a journey that led her to the realm of mental health. Initially, she served as an Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman (4N051) and Licensed Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.) in the United States Air Force (U.S.A.F.), Dr. Benavidez enjoyed operating in the medical field and developed a profound passion for the intricacies of the human mind upon retiring from military service.
To further cultivate her knowledge and skills, Dr. Benavidez pursued and successfully attained a doctorate (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology from the esteemed California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University. In her commitment to advancing her knowledge, she completed her Internship and Postdoctoral fellowship at the renowned Scripps Clinic Medical Group, Division of Mental Health located in San Diego, California. Her professional experience encompasses a broad spectrum of clinical settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, the inpatient regional burn unit at UCSD, residential facilities (like Veterans Village of San Diego), and outpatient care within the esteemed Scripps Division of Mental Health and within private practice.
Dr. Benavidez possesses specialized training in conducting both forensic and presurgical psychiatric evaluations, ranging from adminstering medical-legal exams to conducting evaluations for Bariatric Surgery, Spinal Cord Stimulator Placement, and Organ Transplants. Her expertise in this domain has led her to establish a contracted partnership with Scripps Mercy and Scripps Green Hospitals in the vibrant San Diego region. She is also contracted with a biomedical company to perform psychiatric evaluations for FDA clinical trials.
Employing a comprehensive repertoire of evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches, Dr. Benavidez tailors her treatments to suit the unique needs of each individual. Her therapeutic toolkit encompasses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT inlcuding Trauma-Focused CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Supportive-Expressive Therapy (SET), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Logotherapy, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT). Dr. Benavidez is also trained and available to provide psychological testing such as: Intelligence Testing (e.g., WAIS-IV, WISC-IV); Personality Testing (e.g., NEO-PI, MMPI-2, MCMI IV); Cognitive Testing (e.g., MOCA, TMT, RBANS); Psychodiagnostic Testing (e.g., BSI, SCL90); and Subjective Testing (e.g., TAT, Rorschach, RISB, HTP). Through psychological assessment and treatment, she empowers her patients to navigate their psychological journeys with grit, grace, and self-discovery.
For treatment, Dr. Benavidez specializes in providing support to individuals of all ages grappling with Acute Stress Disorder, and chronic and/or complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She also specializes in treating psychiatric symptoms rel ated toexperiencing chronic illness-related/health-related concerns. Furthermore, she champions inclusivity and welcomes patients from diverse backgrounds, harboring an unwavering belief that one's race, ethnicity, gender, marital status, sexuality, socioeconomic standing, disability status, or religious beliefs should never impede the delivery of exceptional care. With a particular focus on cross-cultural issues and acculturation, Dr. Benavidez possesses a remarkable proficiency in working with Latino/a/x/e patients, an expertise that was cultivated through her extensive research on psychometric considerations with this population. She is also proficient in practicing multicultural psychology, paying special attention to how one's culture affects their mental health. Identifying as Latine and Indigenous, Dr. Benavidez is attempting to weave Indigenous wisdom into her psychology practice in both how the company operates and how we treat patients. She is currently contracted with Southern Indian Health Council (SIHC) to provide culturally-appropriate psychological assessment.
Operating a thriving private group practice, nestled in the enchanting locale of Mission Valley West in San Diego, California, Dr. Benavidez extends her reach even further through the provision of telehealth services. This technological advancement enables her to offer psychological support to individuals throughout the entirety of California, fostering healing and growth within the comfort of one's own home.
Dr. Joanna R. Benavidez is licensed in the state of California. She is credentialed as a Health Service Psychologist (HSP) by The National Register of Health Service Psychologists. They are also an EMDR Certified Therapist™Dr. Benavidez is a member of the San Diego Psychological Association (SDPA). She is the Chairman of the Contemplative Practices Committee of the SDPA.
Verify Dr. Benavidez's Licensed Psychologist (LP) Credential here: https://search.dca.ca.gov