About Dr. Joy
While becoming a Psychologist has always been my life’s dream, this is actually my second career. My first career in Corporate America included helping Fortune 500 companies identify & address challenges to their success. This experience showed me how the relationships among the individual members of a group impact the whole.
My most difficult and yet proudest achievement, though, is being a Mom. My partner and I have a blended family of 4 children! While this makes me quite proud, it also helps me to relate to the NUMEROUS challenges that come with parenthood…and I thought large corporations were complicated!
As my list of questions as a mother grew and grew, my need to understand prompted my decision to become not just a Psychologist but, specifically, a Child and Family Clinical Psychologist. I truly believed having my doctorate would mean I would finally have all the answers. NOPE! I still don’t have all the answers, but I will say my time in school provided me with the foundation I needed to guide others in finding as many answers as possible.
My considerable experience working with children of all ages and their caregivers in both the non-profit world and private practice has evolved into a number of specialties. While I admit to being FAR from perfect, I do feel that my experience gives me a unique perspective and ability to support a wide range of child and family struggles, from both my heart and mind.
Utilizing both my heartfelt experience as a mother and my educational and professional knowledge gleaned from over 20 years of study and practice in this field, I have helped MANY children and adults to heal and grow, achieve their goals, and find a sense of success and happiness within their families.
I tend to be a more active participant in the therapy process; and I like to develop an alliance, working collaboratively with families. I have found this style to promote the longest term success with clients. By sharing my authentic heart and accumulated knowledge, I believe I can support you and your family to succeed. Let’s do this!
With respect and admiration for all seeking support in this journey,
Joy
Meet the Team
Dr. Joy invites Best of Class clinicians to join the team each year.
These selections are entirely based on expertise and a personal style that must be welcoming and supportive of all in the community.
We currently have four clinicians who fully meet our criteria!

Owner & Licensed Psychologist #28452
Joy L. Johnson, PsyD
I am passionate about training top clinicians to maximize the support and difference made in our community. Not all clinicians are great clinicians. I am dedicated to identifying and helping to develop the best of the best with top notch training and supervision.
Lauren, Eleanor, and Jocelyn are wonderful examples of success in this area!

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #146825
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor #17790
Lauren Kelly, LMFT, LPCC
Are you feeling unhappy, isolated, stressed, stuck, or like nothing ever goes right? Do you want to improve your relationships with friends, family, or partners?
I strongly believe everyone can benefit from a safe space to process their emotions and struggles weekly with someone outside your immediate support system. It’s daunting to find a therapist who is right for you. I will meet you where you’re at - whether that’s helping you find the words to express yourself or finding the right goals and motivations to move yourself to the next phase of life.
I provide psychotherapy services to teens, young adults, and adults of all ages. I approach therapy from a person-centered and strengths-based perspective. That means I believe you are the expert on yourself; and that with support and
guidance, you have the ability to make the changes you want. I believe I can help you to improve your self-awareness, understand and accept patterns from your past, and learn new skills and healthier ways of engaging in the world.
Prioritizing healing, growth, and change are lifelong practices that often need a tune-up. I believe transformation requires time, space, patience, and self-compassion. In therapy, I offer a safe and caring relationship that supports you in
doing this life-changing work. If you are experiencing depression, feelings of
hopelessness, anxiety, perfectionism, people pleasing, grief and loss, life changes, trauma, low self-worth, self-criticism, communication, identifying needs, and boundary issues, please reach out today!

Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #142330
Jocelyn Martin, AMFT
As a therapist, I am dedicated to meeting you where you are and fostering growth that enhances your agency and autonomy. I strive for sessions to be warm, empathetic, and infused with humor. I prioritize genuine connection, aiming for you to feel understood and supported.
I offer psychotherapy services catering to various stages of life - children, teens, adults, couples, and families. My approach is client-centered, humanistic, and strengths-based, carefully considering your unique social and cultural context. In addressing addiction, I advocate for and practice a harm-reduction approach.
My clinical interests and experience include working with addiction, anxiety, depression, family dynamics, trauma, neurodivergence, grief, and work stress. In my work with couples and families, I focus on enhancing connections, improving communication and conflict resolution, and fostering healthier dynamics.
Within our therapeutic space, I create a secure environment for you to explore your inner world, recognizing your expertise in your own life with the power to instigate change. My therapeutic style strongly emphasizes providing a safe, nonjudgmental space tailored to your unique and spontaneous needs. Whether working with teens, couples, families, or adults, my primary goal is to assist you in identifying and achieving your personal objectives.
If any of this resonates with you in your search for the right therapist, please contact me.
Supervised by Joy L. Johnson, Psy.D. (PSY28452)

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #155176
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor #20289
Kennedy Jones, LMFT, LPCC
Taking the step to start therapy can feel big, whether you are a parent or caregiver seeking support alongside your young child, a parent looking for counseling and family support for your adolescent or teen, or a young adult navigating your own path. I believe that healing begins with a safe, welcoming space where you can express yourself authentically. You know your life and family best, and my approach is warm, collaborative, and deeply person-centered to honor that.
I am passionate about early childhood mental health and am trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). In my work with little ones (ages 0–8) and their families, my goal is to help families strengthen their connections through shared experiences, deep understanding, and acceptance. Together, we will focus on the parent-child relationship, helping you understand your child’s world and creating more positive experiences at home using a blend of child-led play, art, and regulation techniques.
I also find joy and commitment in supporting adolescents, teens, and young adults along their journey beyond early childhood, meeting them as they navigate the unique challenges this stage of life can bring. My hope is to provide a secure, judgment-free space to talk, explore feelings, and feel genuinely supported through the heavy complexities, big emotions, and shifts in identity or independence you might be facing. I recognize how deeply our unique environments and lived experiences can impact us, and rather than just giving you tools to manage, my goal is for us to collaborate and truly understand what your struggles and emotions are telling us, offering a grounding space to share, explore, or simply begin with a caring professional outside your immediate support system.
As a Castro Valley/Bay Area native who grew up attending the local public schools and competing on sports teams in the area, including track and field and soccer, I have always been deeply immersed in this community. Drawing from this personal connection alongside my professional background in community and school settings, I specialize in working with anxiety, depression, and life adjustments using culturally sensitive and trauma-informed care. I utilize client-led, person-centered modalities to gently nurture emotional awareness, self-esteem, social skills, and regulation across all ages. Whether we are on the floor navigating big feelings through play, talking through what is on your mind, or sharing a quiet moment where just showing up is enough, I am dedicated to tailoring our space to whatever feels safest and most supportive for you, your child, or your family.
Outside of the therapy room, I love spending time with my kittens, traveling with loved ones, and trying out new restaurants and hobbies! I look forward to co-creating a space where you and your loved ones can feel truly seen and supported.

Psychological Testing Technician #222
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #158783
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor #21970
Eleanor Beckman, LMFT, LPCC, PTT
I am passionate about helping my clients achieve personal growth and mental well-being. I offer tailored therapy sessions designed to meet you where you are. Whether you're seeking support for yourself or looking to enhance family dynamics, I provide a compassionate and effective approach to help you navigate life's challenges.
I believe in the transformative power of therapy to bring about positive change. While my work is rooted in psychodynamic principles, my comprehensive understanding of the lifespan allows for a holistic and individualized approach to your unique needs.
Are you seeking therapy for a young child or your middle school-aged kid? Are you a young adult trying to manage your early 20's? Are you an older adult considering retirement or who has recently left your job? I have experience working with each of these crucial life stages, in addition to providing support through family work.
Don't navigate life's complexities alone – reach out today and begin your journey towards a more connected and resilient life.