JoAnna Romero Cartaya Ph.D. | Psychologist

Need a fast-track to Dr. Cartaya’s services? See: Cartaya Clinics

JoAnna Cartaya holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with specialized training in Psychological Testing. She is a licensed psychologist and licensed Health Service Provider in Iowa. As an active member of the American Psychological Association, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, and the American Group Psychotherapy Association, she continuously contributes to professional development and professional communities. She serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Iowa College of Medicine and is highly involved in the Iowa Psychological Association’s Executive Council as the Federal Advocacy Coordinator, striving to enhance, advocate, and open resources and support statewide for mental health access.

Her practice incorporates humanistic and cognitive-behavioral frameworks, including Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), to create personalized care plans, consultations, and educational sessions, all delivered with a thoughtful and engaging presence.

Professional History
B.S., University of Wisconsin, River Falls, WI – 2004

Counselor, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Tobacco Research – 2004-2008

Leadership Pediatric Public Policy Fellowship, Washington D.C. – 2008-2010

Health Coach, University of Iowa Wellness Program – 2008-2012

Internship, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Neuropsychology – 2011-2012

Ph.D., University of Iowa Graduate College, Counseling Psychology, Iowa City, IA – 2013

Staff Psychologist, Community Mental Health Center, Marshalltown, IA – 2013-2015

Staff Psychologist, University of Iowa Student Counseling Center – 2015-2016

Founded Cartaya Clinic in Behavioral and Humanistic Psychology, – 2015

Ethics Committee Chair, Iowa Psychological Association, 2015-2018

Adjunct Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 2016-Present

Federal Advocacy Coordinator, Iowa Psychological Association, 2019-present

Faculty Member for Project ECHO, American Academy of Pediatrics, Center for Excellence Social Media and Youth Mental Health, 2023-present
Sampling of Scholarly Activities
Specialty Training Areas: Functional Analytical Psychotherapy (Intensive Training Levels I and II), Neuropsychology and Psychological Testing, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Group Psychotherapy, Dynamic and Phenomenological Therapies, Hypnosis, Motivational Interviewing, Postpartum Support International – Maternal Mental Health

Perfectly Imperfect: Evoking Joy and Meaning Through Challenging Times presentation for The Iowa Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (Iowa AIM), 2022

Legal Considerations on Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse, Iowa Psychological Association Spring Conference, 2018

Grand Rounds, Duty to Warn/Duty to Protect Update on Iowa Code-Ethics for Psychologist.
University of Iowa, Department of Psychiatry, 6/2016.

Romero Cartaya, J., Oaks-Edman, S., Hoffman, T., & Duke, E. Duty to warn: A Refresher and Review. Iowa Psychological Association Spring Conference, 2016.

Argüello, J., Brooks, D., Workshop: Confronting the Attraction Taboo: Developing Appropriate Guidelines for Addressing Attraction in the Therapeutic Relationship.
Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC. 2011.

Espe-Pfeifer, P., Argüello, J., Taber, S., & Duff, K., Poster: Progression of Neurocognitive Deficits Associated with Juvenile Huntingtons Disease: A pediatric case study.
Annual Conference The National Academy of Neuropsychology, New Orleans, LA. 2009.

Liu, W., & Argüello, J. Using Social Class and Classism in Counseling. Counseling and Human Development. 2006.

Argüello, J., & McConnell, Symposium: Health care and substance abuse prevention: barriers among the homeless. Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC. 2005.