Guarna, Joel

I am a licensed psychologist in the state of Maine. I have been a student of psychology, the mind, and human behavior for over 30 years.

Areas of Specialization

• Health Psychology including treatment of chronic pain and complex illnesses
• Promotion of health behavior change (diet, exercise, lifestyle) and treatment of insomnia
• “Helping the helpers,” including medical providers, therapists, and teachers
• Treating specific concerns like anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use
• Effective psychological approaches including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a particular form of CBT known as ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), and mindfulness-based therapies. 

Background

• I co-directed the Living Life Well Pain Rehabilitation Program at the Pain Center at Northern Light Mercy Hospital for over seven years.
• I provided integrated behavioral health care to patients living with chronic illness while working in an endocrinology and diabetes clinic.
• I am a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Tufts University School of Medicine with a primary role as Behavioral Health Faculty Lead for the MMC Family Medicine Residency Program. In this role, I guide the learning of the next generation of physicians, developing the behavioral health curriculum and providing specific training on topics related to mind-body health.
• Before moving to Maine, I worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Boston, providing addictions treatment to veterans and their partners and families. I hold a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) certification through NAADAC and I remain a regular presenter in the MMC Addiction Medicine Fellowship lecture series.
• I gained experience with CBT during my graduate and postgraduate training and as a staff psychologist in the VA Boston system. I trained psychology interns and psychiatry residents to use CBT and other evidence-based approaches during my time as a Clinical Instructor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.