CV

Joshua L Cohen PhD

2436 E. 4th St Long Beach, CA  89814· 213-267-2416

​drjoshcohen@filmandvieobasedtherapy.com ·https://www.yourdigitalstorytellingproject.com

Joshua Cohen 

Owner Your Digital Storytelling Project 

& 

Author at Routledge Taylor and Francis Group 

Long Beach, California 

Summary 

Dr. Cohen is the founder and owner of Your Digital Storytelling Project LLC.  His training and background in Research and Practice for publication, clinical psychology, film/video editing, and somatic experiencing. His background in depth psychology, clinical psychology, digital storytelling, and somatic experiencing which, make the tech-based techniques unique to this method, and are on the cutting edge of technological sciences as well as humanities.

 As an early career of psychological organizations, both local and national, Cohen demonstrated a wide range of working in the mental health care populations and is skilled in working with young adults, medicine, cognition, life transitions, and groups.

 He has authored and co-edited a book from Routledge. He has a Ph.D. that focused on both clinical psychology and depth (a form of therapy started by Sigmund Freud and his protege Carl Jung) from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Experience Peer Mental Health Volunteer March 2020 – Present (5 months) Los Angeles Metropolitan Area Kolnoam Video Therapy School staff lecturer August 2018 – Present (2 years) Haifa Area, Israel Dr. Cohen lectures in person and through video conferencing. He is clinically trained as a researcher at Pacifica Graduate Institute and Walden University. He has experience as a film/video editor for Avid and Final Cut Pro in Burbank, California. 

His experience includes “A” list work in Hollywood with significant people in the film world before turning back to psychology to complete his doctorate in clinical psychology. He has a doctorate in clinical psychology and published numerous articles and academic journals. He speaks in public on virtual reality and digital storytelling. He was also a contributor on the board of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association’s non-profit foundation. His clinical experience involves working with people of several populations, including community mental health, hospital settings, and private practice. He is also a student of Somatic Experiencing, which plays a role in his theory of film editing and teaching trauma.

 Dr. Cohen is also the author and co-editor of a book called Video and Filmmaking as Psychotherapy: Research and Practice, published by Routledge in 2015, which has reached almost 100 libraries across the world. As a guest lecturer at the University of Southern California (USC), Dr. Cohen has experience introducing this material to students in the social work department. The book is the first of its kind, proposing to make films as a part of psychotherapy in a comprehensive academic book. It is also in the national library of medicine. In the 15 chapters, sources came from authors associated with Psychology, Counseling, Anthropology, Social Work, and Art Therapy. 

One chapter is written about military trauma in a clinical trial about the therapeutic use of film by the grandson of George Patton Jr and his multi-day filmmaking workshops used to treat service-related stress. To see examples of abstracts and media from the book, please visit the following website. https://www.filmandvideobasedtherapy.com

Your Digital Storytelling Project LLC member/Owner October 2015 – Present (4 years ten months) Long Beach, CA 

Background of his company Dr. Cohen works in the field of mental health education with clients, groups, and colleagues from around the world and is now studying for licensure to be a clinical psychologist. Dr. Cohen has extensive experience doing public speaking. He had presented his knowledge at conferences in the US and Canada, as well as hospital settings. He has made public speeches at addiction treatment facilities, universities, and webinars on topics such as addiction and trauma. Dr. Cohen is also currently on staff at the video therapy school in Israel and has lectured for a class in Haifa. For more info, please visit the following link. https://www.kolnoam.com/ and look for teaching staff.  During his presentation at an addiction treatment facility in 2016, Dr. Cohen introduced relax VR, soon to become one of the top 10 apps on the Google Daydream and now available on Android, Daydream View, Samsung Gear VR, iOS, and Pico Goblin. Dr. Cohen’s company is based out of Long Beach, and it’s called Your Digital Storytelling Project, which involves public speaking, digital storytelling, virtual reality, and a publication. 

The Press of his company includes a radio show, webinars, articles, and presentations at conferences and universities. To see examples of the press, please visit the following website. https://www.yourdigitalstorytellingproject.com 

Routledge Taylor & Francis Group author May 2013 – Present (7 years three months) 

Long Beach, CA Author and Co-editor of Video and Filmmaking as Psychotherapy: Research and Practice 

While film and video have long been used within the psychological practice, researchers and practitioners have only just begun to explore the benefits of film and video production as therapy. This volume describes a burgeoning area of psychotherapy which employs the art of filmmaking and digital storytelling as a means of healing victims of trauma and abuse. It explores the ethical considerations behind this process and its cultural and developmental implications within clinical psychology. Grounded in clinical theory and methodology, this multidisciplinary volume draws on perspectives from anthropology, psychiatry, psychology, and art therapy that support the use and integration of film/video-based therapy in practice. published by Routledge Taylor and Francis and in the National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/101641447 

American Psychological Association Member of Division 46 Society for Media Psychology and Technology 2016 – Present (4 years) Washington, District of Columbia, United States 

Membership committee involved attending regular meetings and learning about possible new ways of doing video conferencing. 

Sovereign Health Care Guest Speaker February 2017 – February 2017 (1 month) Culver City 

Lectured on film/video-based therapy and Trauma. The lecture was about how trauma may be at the root of most addictive behavior and how Bessel Van der Kolk and Peter Levine’s work may be related to addictions. Yarden Kerem’s work from the book Video and Filmmaking as Psychotherapy: Research and Practice also talk about Peter Levine’s bodywork and how it applies to filmmaking and is referenced in the work. Paul Petcheck, a professor from the University of Southern California, is interviewed about his use of somatic experiencing and film editing and the healing role it plays in addition to the aesthetic role. 

The University of Southern California Guest Lecturer April 2016 – April 2016 (1 month) Greater Los Angeles Area 

Dr. Cohen was a guest lecturer at USC on for the following course where his work was being taught as required material Social Work 687 Section #60668R 

University of Phoenix Faculty December 2009 – February 2016 (6 years three months)

Dr. Cohen facilitated classrooms at the University of Phoenix’s Master’s and associate level students. He taught an introduction to Psychology course and a course in Positive Psychology. The intro course involved the development, human sexuality, psychopathology (DSM overview), biological bases for psychology, research methods, adjustment, etc. The class involved facilitating class discussions and grading APA style papers at the associate level, which helped prepare them for further graduate study. The students were then required to integrate their studies by applying their knowledge to a vignette at the end of the course. Dr. Cohen also taught a positive psychology course, which involves studying commitment, goals, love, wisdom, and happiness, self-concepts, human strengths, and hope. The class also involved class discussions and APA style papers at the associate level, which will help prepare them for further graduate study, and him for graduate teaching. He eventually went on to teach a master’s level class on Psychology and behavioral health. https://www.richardlistens.com/ 

Postdoctoral Psychological Assistant PSB94020216 January 2014 – January 2015 (1 year one month) 292 S La Cienega Blvd Suite 400 Beverly Hills, California 90211 

Dr. Cohen worked in private practice for over a year in Beverly Hills, California, working with addictions, trauma, and relationship difficulties. Specialties • Depression • Anxiety Issues Dr. Cohen worked with • Addiction • Anger Management • Bipolar Disorder • Chronic Pain or Illness • Dual Diagnosis • Family Conflict • Medical Detox • Self Esteem • Video Game Addiction • Alcohol Abuse • Behavioral Issues • Career Counseling • Drug Abuse • Emotional Disturbance • Grief • Parenting • Spirituality Mental Health: • Mood Disorders • Psychosis • Personality Disorders • Thinking Disorders Client Focus Age: • Children (6 to 10) • Preteens / Tweens (11 to 13) • Adolescents / Teenagers (14 to 19) • Adults • Elders (65+) Treatment Approach Treatment Orientation: • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) • Film/Video-Based Therapy Treatments  • Psychoanalytic • Psychodynamic Modality: • Individuals • Couples • Group Finances • Avg Cost (per session): $100 – $150 • Sliding Scale: No Accepted Payment Methods: Cash, Check, Mastercard, Visa Accepted Insurance Plans: • Aetna • CHIPA • Mhn • BlueCross and/or BlueShield • Magellan Behavioral Health As a licensed Psychologist based in Los Angeles, 

His supervisor Richard received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology through the Saybrook Graduate School in San Francisco, with an emphasis in Spirituality and Consciousness. His history with sports and a black belt in martial arts lends to his unique psychological style and passion for sports psychology. He currently teaches as an adjunct professor in sports psychology for CSUDH. 

Social Science Consulting Social Science Consulting December 2013 – June 2014 (7 months) 2780 Skypark Drive Suite 205, Torrance, CA 90505 

Social Science Consulting, provided quality mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Our services included an individual, conjoint, couple, and family work with all services in English and Spanish.” They have grown from a small private practice that was founded Bruzzone as a solo practitioner, to a vibrant Group Practice employing a cadre of licensed and pre-licensed mental health practitioners that include Clinical Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers.” http:// www.socialscienceconsulting.org/ 

Archeus Psychological Associate Psychological Assistant PSB 37521 to Dr. Mark Ingram PSY 24268 January 2013 – October 2013 (10 months) 2780 Skypark Drive Suite 420, Torrance, CA 90505 

Archeus Psychological Associates is a group of allied mental health professionals providing treatment for a wide range of mental health issues including general psychotherapy, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and related disorders. They offer a specialized addiction Recovery Aftercare Program (RAP), SMART Recovery addiction treatment, and SMART Recovery support meetings. Dr. Ingram founded Archeus to help mental health associates combine resources to provide a broader spectrum of treatment services more efficiently than can be accomplished in a solo practice. They accept most insurance plans including • Aetna • Blue Cross/Blue Shield (non-Anthem) • Anthem Blue Cross PPO (Out-of-Network only) • Cigna • Magellan • MHN • Nippon Life (Aetna) • Tricare • California Victims of Crime Compensation Program 

Pacifica Graduate Institute Ph.D. student September 2007 – May 2013 (5 years nine months) Carpenteria 

In this regionally accredited doctoral program, Dr. Cohen was clinically trained and learned how to do research, statistics, and vital classes necessary for licensure in the state of California, including human sexuality, domestic violence, addictions, etc. Also, the school had a theoretical model based on the teachings of psychodynamic theory in addition to cognitive-behavioral classes. In addition to attending classes, Dr. Cohen attended over 1,000 supervised hours of experience for the school called practicum hours in a hospital setting before doing the 1,500 necessary hours for graduation. The board then requires an additional 1,500 hours postdoc to become licensed. 

Families in New Directions- 2 years ten months Ph.D. Psychology Intern September 2010 – August 2012 (2 years) 

Families in New Directions, a community mental health organization for court-ordered and low-income patients suffering from mental health issues, was the location of Dr. Cohen’s second practicum site and internship. FIND’s population was primarily African-American, and Latino and many clients are coping with poverty and environmental stress. Some were referred through the social services and court systems. Dr. Cohen’s primary responsibilities were to provide individual, conjoint, and family psychotherapy to mandated and self-referred clients, maintain competent clinical records, manage potential clinical crises, and develop skills and confidence with diagnosis and treatment planning. As an Intern, Dr. Cohen taught parenting groups, teen groups, and psychological testing to his responsibilities. Also, he has utilized video as a therapeutic intervention, under the supervision of the late Dr, Dorothy Tucker, past activist, and licensed psychologist. Dr. Tucker was also known for her work in the community and with the police and the American Psychological Association. In the boy’s group, Dr. Cohen used video to understand certain inner dynamics of the children he was working with within clinical practice. The stories that they tell on-camera help me to work with resistant clients who may otherwise not reveal their true thoughts or feelings. 

Practicum Student November 2009 – August 2010 (10 months) 

FIND’s population is primarily African-American and Latino, and many clients are coping with poverty and environmental stress. Some are referred through social services and court systems. Dr. Cohen’s primary responsibilities were to provide individual, conjoint, and family psychotherapy to mandated and self-referred clients, maintain competent clinical records, manage potential clinical crises, and develop skills and confidence with diagnosis and treatment planning.

 Tarzana treatment center – Tarzana Practicum Student 2008 – 2009 (1 year) 

Some of the duties he fulfilled while at Tarzana included individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and intakes (Addiction severity indexes). Addiction severity indexes (ASI’s) are like a psychological evaluation, an intake as well as a clinical interview. They may be followed up with a therapy referral, which is similar to working with a private patient. The ASI is an assessment instrument designed to be administered as a semi-structured interview in one hour or less to patients who present for substance abuse treatment. The instrument gathers information about seven areas of a patient’s life: medical, employment/support, drug and alcohol use, legal, family history, family/social relationships, and psychiatric problems. He also ran groups and individual counseling. Every week, he participated in group supervision as well as individual supervision. 

Freelance Film/Video Editor Video Editor July 1999 – October 2003 (4 years four months) Greater Los Angeles Area –

Edited a short video on the Dalai Lama with Emmy award-winning director Doug Pray. The video included an interview with the Dalai Lama on the importance of using technology for human purposes; The video had a screening on October 22, 2003. The work is also cited in the book Video and Filmmaking. The Psychotherapy: Research and Practice in Dr. Cohen’s chapter on editing with Dr. Orr. 

Troph Productions editing consultant (uncredited) July 2001 – January 2003 (1 year seven months) Greater, Los Angeles Area, 

Consulted on editing decisions with Producer/Actor Patrick Swayze and actor/ writer/director-producer Lisa Niemi on their production of their cinematic adaptation of their award-winning play “Without a Word” into the screen version titled “One Last Dance.” 

Colorado College 1 year five months writer, editor, producer January 1997 – May 1998 (1 year five months) Colorado Springs, Colorado Area 

Produced a documentary titled “Catharsis” for his thesis about the healing power of films. Interviewed professionals in the film industry as well as professors and academics. 

Seminar Organizer 1997 – 1997 (less than a year) Colorado Springs, Colorado Area

 Organized a seminar on Cinematherapy with Dr. Gary Solomon (the Movie Doctor) and several professors from Colorado College to discuss the healing power of film. To see the video of the seminar you can visit the following website. 

ABC News intern July 1997 – September 1997 (3 months) 

Edited news stories for a local ABC affiliate ABC News writer,editor, and producer September 1993 – June 1994 (10 months) Wrote, edited, and directed, and produced two news stories that were aired on a local ABC affiliate JLC Productions Founder, Videographer, & Editor September 1990 – June 1994 (3 years 10 months) Founded his own company taping weddings and Bar-Mitzvahs in the Phoenix area -Produced award winning films including a documentary on Kenya East Africa and another on the Holocaust 

Camp Charles Pearlstein Video Specialist/Relief Counselor July 1993 – August 1993 (2 months) Prescott, Arizona –

In charge of the video program using minor production and editing skills -worked with children in a creative setting and allowed them to use video as a creative and expressive medium 

America West Airlines offline editor February 1993 – February 1993 (1 month) Phoenix, Arizona Area

 Edited callbacks for the “respect” video

Nickelodeon Audio Technician January 1993 – January 1993 (1 month) 

helped with audio during a pilot show 

Video West Inc Grip January 1993 – January 1993 (1 month) 

helped to cover an executive sales awards dinner 

Arizona Public Service (APS) Writer/Editor June 1992 – July 1992 (2 months) Phoenix, Arizona Area –

Helped write a script for a video introducing their “In concert with the environment” program -Edited the video which was sent to schools around the country introducing the program 

Goddard for Governor Campaign Videographer February 1991 – February 1991 (1 month) 

Taped speeches throughout the election night for a record of his campaign. 

Education 

Pacifica Graduate Institute Ph.D., clinical psychology · (2007 – 2012) 

Walden University Masters of Science, Psychology · (2003 – 2007) 

Video Symphony certificate program, video editing · (1999 – 2001) 

Colorado College Bachelors of Arts, Film and Anthropology · (1994 – 1998)