About


A peaceful picture of the beach, with several rocks in sharp focus. The picture induces calm and relaxation.

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You're a capable and proactive individual, navigating the complexities of a demanding world, yet you’re finding yourself...stuck… depleted… destabilized. Perhaps you've encountered a complicated stretch, experienced a loss, or are feeling the weight of accumulated stress. Many people I work with grapple with these challenges, seeking greater balance, self-assertion, and renewed joy. I strive to create a compassionate and non-judgmental space, in which we can address your concerns and identify potential solutions.

Together, we'll explore your internal processes, relationship dynamics, and the way you connect with the world. This collaborative process allows us to recalibrate, foster calm, gain forward momentum, and recapture a sense of delight in your life. My approach is grounded in scientifically supported methods, deeply nurturing of diversity, and tailored to your unique needs. We’ll clarify your values and goals and develop coping strategies that align with your unique identity and life circumstances. When appropriate, we’ll incorporate techniques from CBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness-based approaches.

 My goal is to help you master techniques that you will eventually apply on your own, outside of the session. For some, this means conducting a few light-hearted problem-focused coaching sessions; for others, this requires longer-term intensive psychotherapy. I invite you to connect and discover how we can work together.


Education and Training

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology, UC Davis

PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Arizona

  • Extensive training in General Psychotherapy

  • Health Psychology Emphasis

  • Family Studies and Human Development Minor

Residency at UCSD Department of Psychiatry and San Diego VA Healthcare Center

  • UCSD Moores Cancer Center

  • UCSD Regional Burn Center

  • San Diego VA Behavioral Medicine, Pain Management, and Weight Management programs

Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the San Francisco VA Medical Center

  • Behavioral Medicine and Primary Care Psychology

  • Pain Management Programs

  • Women’s Health


Professional Affiliations

  • Northern California Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Network

  • New York State Psychological Association

  • Gaylesta: The Psychotherapist Association for Gender & Sexual Diversity


Publications

Skoyen, J. A., Rentscher, K. E., & Butler E. A. (2016). Relationship quality and shared unhealthy behaviors predict body mass index in women. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.

Rutledge, T., Skoyen, J. A., Wiese, J. A., Ober, K. M., Woods, G. N. (2016). A comparison of MOVE versus TeleMOVE programs for weight loss in Veterans with obesity. Obesity Research and Clinical Practice.

Skoyen, J. A., Rutledge, T., Wiese, J., Woods, G. N. (2015). Evaluation of TeleMOVE: A telehealth weight reduction intervention for Veterans with obesity. A brief report. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 49(1), 628-633. 

Skoyen, J. A., Randall, A. K., Mehl, M. R, Butler E. A. (2014). “We” overeat, but “I” can stay thin: Pronoun use and body weight in couples who eat to regulate emotion. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 33(8), 743-766. 

Skoyen, J. A., Blank, E., Corkery, S. A., & Butler, E. A. (2013). The interplay of partner influence and individual values predicts daily fluctuations in eating and physical activity. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30(8), 1000-1019.

Skoyen, J. A., Kogan, A. V., Novak, S. A., & Butler, E. A. (2012). Health behavior and emotion regulation in couples. In Newman, M. L., & Roberts, N. A. (Eds.) Health and Social Relationships: The Good, The Bad, and The Complicated (pp. 121-142). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 

Rohrbaugh, M. J., Shoham, V., Skoyen, J. A., Jensen, M., & Mehl, M. R. (2012). We-talk, communal coping, and cessation success in a couple-focused intervention for health-compromised smokers. Family Process, 51, 107 - 121.