Joan Asarnow, Ph.D.

Joan Asarnow is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA, where she directs the Youth Stress and Mood Program. This depression and suicide prevention program includes clinical, educational, and research components. Her current work focuses on treatments and interventions for youth suicide/suicide attempt prevention, depression, and integrated primary medical and behavioral health care. She has led efforts to disseminate evidence-based treatments for child and adolescent depression and suicide prevention.  Two programs developed by Dr. Asarnow are listed in the National Registry for Evidence-Based Programs (SAMHSA): 1) Depression Treatment Quality Improvement, an evidence-based depression treatment program that has been integrated within primary care, mental health, and other settings; 2) the Family Intervention for Suicide Prevention, a crisis treatment for youths after a suicidal/self-harm episode. She is one of the Principal Investigators leading a multi-site trial evaluating Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents presenting with high levels of suicidality and repetitive self-harm. Dr. Asarnow has received grants from the National Institute of Mental Health, Centers for Disease Control, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and other organizations.