Please click above to book a psychological evaluation for surgery (i.e., Bariatric Surgery, Spinal Cord Stimulator, Organ Transplant).
Please call, send an email, or text to the provider of your choice for an appointment for psychological treatment (psychotherapy).
Please ensure your insurance is accepted by our group practice. We take Medicare (not medicare advantage products), Tricare West (HNFS), Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and those referred from Scripps (who have Community Health Group or are covered through Carrum contract). If you are referred from Scripps and do not have Community Health Group, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Aetna, or coverage through the Carrum contract, you will be responsible for paying out of pocket for the evaluation ($200.00)

Dr. Joanna R. Benavidez is NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Dr. Benavidez accepts the following insurances/modes of payment:

• Medicare (Not Medicare Advantage Products)

• Tricare

• United HealthCare (UHC/OPTUM/UMR)

• Aetna

• 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.JBenavidez@gmail.com or Dr.JBenavidez@medsecuremail.com (if you have personal health information; this email address is encrypted end to end)
FAX: (855) 928-4320

Information about Dr. Joanna R. Benavidez:
Dr. Joanna Rose Benavidez, a distinguished clinical psychologist, has operated in the healthcare field for over a decade with their expertise and compassionate care. Hailing from a diverse professional background, she embarked on a remarkable journey that led her to the realm of mental health. Initially, she operated as an Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman (4N051) and licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in the United States Air Force (USAF), Dr. Benavidez developed a profound passion for the intricacies of the human mind upon retiring from military service.

To further cultivate her understanding 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 in San Diego, California. Her professional experience encompasses a broad spectrum of clinical settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, the inpatient burn unit at UCSD, residential facilities (like Veterans Village of San Diego), and outpatient care within the esteemed Scripps Division of Mental Health and private practice.

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), 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.

In her practice, Dr. Benavidez specializes in providing support to individuals of all ages grappling with Acute Stress Disorder, and acute or complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She also specializes in treating psychiatric symptoms of experiencing chronic illness-related/health-related concerns. She also extends her scope of practice to adults and adolescents combating depressive or anxiety disorders. 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 within this population. She is also proficient in practicing multicultural psychology, paying special attention to how one's culture affects their mental health. Being Latine and Indigenous (Diné/Pueblo). 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.

In addition to her clinical prowess, Dr. Benavidez possesses specialized training in conducting presurgical psychiatric evaluations, ranging from Bariatric surgery evaluations to Spinal Cord Stimulator evaluations and organ transplant surgery evaluations. Her expertise in this domain has led her to establish a contracted partnership with Scripps Mercy Hospital in the vibrant San Diego region.

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 Rose 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 Chairperson of the Contemplative Practices Committee of the SDPA.

Verify Dr. Benavidez's Licensed Psychologist (LP) Credential here: https://search.dca.ca.gov