JoAnne M. Beck, CNS, LLC

Psychotherapy for Children & Adolescents

Client Testimonial

"Ms. Beck has been extremely helpful with our family's needs. We enjoy her hollistic approach as she incorporates the entire family and other factors that play a role in difficult situations. Ms. Beck teachers families how to integrate solutions which address the issues at hand but also allow for flexibility when or if other problem sets arise. Although it has not been easy for my family through this difficult time, Ms. Beck has certainly helped turn our family's situation into a smoother and more peaceful transition. I would recommend her services to anyone who is in need of therapy for family and especially children. Thank you, JoAnne."  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       -- Name Withheld for Privacy

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Credentials & Experience

JoAnne M. Beck, PMHCNS, BC
Individual and Family Psychotherapy for Children & Adolescents

JoAnne Beck, CNS, LLCI am a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, board-certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to provide psychiatric and mental health treatment to children and adolescents. A psychiatric clinical nurse specialist is an advanced practice nurse with education and training similar to a psychologist or licensed clinical social worker, who may then obtain a license to practice as an independent mental health care provider. In 1991, while working in the mental health field, I graduated from the University of Virginia, earning a Master of Science Degree in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing of Children and Adolescents. In 1993, following my postgraduate supervision, I received my board certification. 

In my almost 25 years of experience in multiple areas of mental health practice, I have become highly proficient in assessing, diagnosing and treating behavioral, social-emotional, academic and relationship challenges of the most complex nature affecting individuals and families. I am now devoting my time and focus to my private practice, where I offer behavioral health treatment to youth (ages 6-20) and their families that are struggling to overcome life’s stressors and challenges.

From 2009 to 2013, I served as the sole Urgent Care Therapist on the Kaiser Permanente Behavioral Health Team for Children and Adolescents serving youth and their families in crisis throughout the Northern Virginia region. My practice included working with youth struggling with anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, self-injurious behaviors, mood disorders, school violence and truancy and severe family conflicts. Prior to that, I spent 12 years at the J.L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents in Rockville, MD (RICA), a state-run Residential Treatment Center and Montgomery County Alternative School, providing case and crisis management, as well as individual, group and family therapies to youth (ages 5-21) and families. During my time at RICA, I received an employee recognition award for participating in a task force that redesigned and implemented a new behavioral health treatment program. In 2002, I was invited by a group of distinguished researchers from NIMH (National Institute for Mental Health) and the University of Maryland to co-author and publish findings of a bipolar study in a prestigious professional journal.

Other professional experience and areas of distinction:

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  • Provided intensive inpatient treatment at Dominion Psychiatric Treatment Center (Falls Church, VA) as Nursing Unit Coordinator, staff nurse and Day Treatment Therapist.
  • Provided in-home mental health services to individuals and families as visiting nurse for Inova/VNA Home Health.
  • From 1995-1996 in Fall and Spring semesters, taught as Psychiatric Clinical Instructor and Class Lecturer in the School of Nursing at George Mason University. Prior guest lecturer in GMU’s Community Health Nursing Program.
  • As At-risk Therapist and liaison to Arlington Mental Health Center, provided in-school services to youth of Arlington County in need of mental health services.
  • In Arlington County, received distinguished employee award for co-authoring a successful Juvenile Justice Department grant proposal and for co-developing an outpatient treatment program to treat adolescent sex offenders.
  • Designated as an Expert Witness in Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.