Psychological Services
Hello and welcome! I’m Joel Minden, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist, author of Show Your Anxiety Who’s Boss, and specialist in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety and related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and relationship problems.
I use practical, science-backed methods, combining CBT, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and exposure and response prevention (ERP) to help you make meaningful, lasting changes. I offer teletherapy for clients throughout California and Washington, D.C. For local clients, I’m also available for in-person appointments at my office in downtown Chico, California.
If you’d like to read about my practice and policies, please take a look at the frequently asked questions page. You can also contact me for a free 20-minute consultation if you’re interested in working with me.
Treatment Approach
My work is grounded in evidence-based care that’s offered in the context of a collaborative, supportive, and nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship. For anxiety disorders and OCD, exposure and response prevention (ERP) is central to the work we’ll do together. For many concerns, CBT is an effective alternative or complement to medication.
In sessions, we’ll focus on practical strategies to help you think, feel, and function better:
- Responding to thinking traps with more realistic and useful thoughts
- Relating flexibly to difficult emotions
- Prioritizing action over avoidance to boost your mood and build a more satisfying life
Sessions are structured collaboratively. We’ll focus on what matters most to you, and I’ll stay open to adjusting the approach as we go.
Health Promotion
I take a health-focused approach to treatment. In addition to symptom management, I help clients who wish to improve their sleep, exercise, diet, and social behaviors. These lifestyle changes can make it easier to move thinking away from biased, unhelpful beliefs and toward greater optimism, confidence, and stress resilience.
For Athletes and Performers
Athletes, dancers, musicians, and other performing artists recognize the importance of focused physical training to perform at the highest level. Elite performers know that psychological skills are just as important. I offer sport psychology consulting to help you manage arousal, anxiety, and distractibility when high-level performance is essential. Learn more here.
Care Options and Locations
To accommodate your schedule and location, I offer two options for therapy:
- In-Person Therapy: Downtown Chico, California office.
Secure Teletherapy: Confidential video sessions for clients located anywhere in California or Washington, D.C. (Details)
About Me
In addition to directing my clinical practice, I was a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at California State University, Chico for 24 years. I taught courses in abnormal psychology, personality, sport and exercise psychology, wellness, and community health promotion.
I’m the author of the book Show Your Anxiety Who’s Boss and a blog at Psychology Today called CBT and Me: An Evidence-Based Approach to Personal Health, where I write about using the principles of CBT in your day-to-day life.
My Credentials
- Founder, Chico Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist
- California (PSY27859)
- Washington, D.C. (PSY200001889)
- Diplomate and Certified CBT Therapist, Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies
- PhD in Clinical Psychology, DePaul University, 2004
- Author of ‘Show Your Anxiety Who’s Boss‘
- Author of CBT and Me at Psychology Today
- Retired Lecturer, Department of Psychology, California State University, Chico (24 years)
Contact Me
If you’re interested in my clinical or consulting services, please visit my contact page.