Joelle Beecher McGovern, Ph.D.
Dr. Joelle Beecher McGovern is a Licensed Clinical and Developmental Psychologist, providing services to children, adolescents, and adults. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Developmental Psychology and her School Psychology Certification from Bryn Mawr College.
Dr. Beecher McGovern’s vast experience in behavioral health spans over 30 years and across private practice offices, schools, homes, and pediatric hospitals, where she has provided services and resources to children and adults with social, emotional, behavioral and developmental difficulties. While working at the University of Pennsylvania, she was trained in evidence based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, Tourette's syndrome, and other body focused repetitive behaviors. In addition, she participated as a clinician on treatment outcome research, including a study for 5-8 year old children diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. Her work at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provided her with experience in and knowledge to help children cope with chronic illness, medical trauma, pain, and bereavement. She has also been trained in evidence based treatments for autism spectrum disorders and play based developmental approaches in her private practice work. In addition to her clinical work, she has presented master clinician workshops, school and community talks, and webinars, with the goal of disseminating evidence based practices across communities.
Dr. Beecher McGovern particularly enjoys working with very young children. She blends play with a variety of evidence based interventions that research has indicated are effective for specific presenting problems, tailoring her approach to the needs of the person or dyad in front of her. She enjoys working with families and other professionals who are part of children’s lives, to improve relationships through learning and practicing positive ways to communicate and interact. Recently she was trained in the treatment of Perinatal Mood Disorders and is excited about treating expectant and new parents in order to help both parents and children through a difficult period of transition.
In addition to her professional credentials and expertise in a wide range of areas, Dr. Beecher McGovern also draws on her experience as the mother of two children. She has always loved working with children and feels privileged to devote her professional, personal and volunteer time to improving the lives of children and their families.