Dr. Sarah Kate McGowan Clinical Sleep Psychologist

Meet Dr. McGowan, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

I am a clinical psychologist and sleep researcher in Los Angeles, CA. I am board certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM) and have over a decade of experience providing treatments for individuals with sleep disturbance. I direct the BSM clinic at the Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center where I provide therapy, education, and training in behavioral sleep medicine. As a VA certified national consultant in CBT-I, I train healthcare providers across the country in BSM. I am also an Associate Professor in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. I am involved in ongoing research that examines adaptations of BSM interventions for specific populations including women Veterans, older individuals, and those with PTSD, and sleep apnea.

Education

‍B.A. with Honors, Northwestern University
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago
Clinical Internship, Boston Consortium in Clinical Psychology
- Teaching Fellow in Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
- Clinical Fellow in Psychology, Harvard Medical School
Postdoctoral Residency, Anxiety and Behavioral Sleep Medicine Track, UCSD/VA San Diego
Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (DBSM), Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine
CBT-I Certification, Evidenced Based Practice Program, Veterans Administration
CPT Certification, Evidenced Based Practice Program, Veterans Administration

Dr. McGowan is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine.

My Approach

I am a clinical psychologist and board-certified behavioral sleep specialist who works with adults and adolescents in individual therapy addressing issues with sleep, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transition, and general wellness. I provide evidence-based treatments and specialize in:

Behavioral Sleep Medicine (including CognitiveBehavioral Therapy for Insomnia or CBT-I)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

I also incorporate skills from other evidenced-based treatments including:

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Mindfulness Strategies

I use an integrated approach to treatment that is individualized and personalized yet grounded in science.

I also provide lectures and workshops on sleep for:

Professional medical and psychiatric organizations
Corporate events
Wellness retreats
Community events

I have been training medical professionals in CBT-I and Behavioral Sleep Medicine for almost a decade. As a result, I also provide consultation to other medical professionals on specific cases or for those who are pursuing their DBSM and need dedicated supervision hours.

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Research & Publications

My clinical research focuses on adapting behavioral sleep medicine treatments for various populations. As an Associate Professor at UCLA, I am a co-Investigator on federally funded grants.

See PubMed

Selected Research

Saldaña KS, McGowan SK, Martin JL. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as an Adjunct or Alternative Treatment to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for InsomniaSleep Med Clin. 2023 Mar;18(1):73-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2022.09.003.
McGowan SK, Behar E, Luhmann M. Examining the Relationship Between Worry and Sleep: A Daily Process Approach. Behav Ther. 2016 Jul;47(4):460-73. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2015.12.003.
Martin JL, Carlson GC, Kelly MR, Song Y, Mitchell MN, Josephson KR, McGowan SK, Culver NC, Kay MA, Erickson AJ, Saldana KS, May KJ, Fiorentino L, Alessi CA, Washington DL, Yano EM. Novel treatment based on acceptance and commitment therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: A randomized comparative effectiveness trial in women veterans. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2023 Nov;91(11):626-639. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000836.
Erickson AJ, Ravyts SG, Dzierzewski JM, Carlson GC, Kelly MR, Song Y, McGowan SK, Mitchell MN, Washington DL, Yano EM, Alessi CA, Martin JL. Pain in your day? Get sleep treatment anyway! The role of pain in insomnia treatment efficacy in women veterans. J Sleep Res. 2024 Oct;33(5):e14147. doi: 10.1111/jsr.14147.
McGowan SK, Espejo EP, Balliett N, Werdowatz EA. The Effects of Transdiagnostic Group CBT for Anxiety on Insomnia Symptoms. Cogn Behav Ther. 2016;45(2):163-75. doi: 10.1080/16506073.2015.1134639.
Saldana KS, Carlson GC, Revolorio K, Kelly MR, Josephson KR, Mitchell MN, Culver N, Kay M, McGowan SK, Song Y, Deleeuw C, Martin JL. Values Expressed by Women Veterans Receiving Treatment for Chronic Insomnia Disorder. Behav Sleep Med. 2024 May-Jun;22(3):340-352. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2023.2260517.
Song Y, McCurry SM, Lee D, Josephson KR, McGowan SK, Fung CH, Irwin MR, Teng E, Alessi CA, Martin JL. Development of a dyadic sleep intervention for Alzheimer's disease patients and their caregivers. Disabil Rehabil. 2021Jun;43(13):1861-1871. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1680748.
Carlson GC, Kelly MR, Mitchell M, Josephson KR, McGowan SK, Culver NC, Kay M, Alessi CA, Fung CH, Washington DL, Hamilton A, Yano EM, Martin JL. Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia for Women Veterans with and without Probable Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Womens Health Issues. 2022 Mar-Apr;32(2):194-202. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2021.10.007.
Song Y, Carlson GC, McGowan SK, Fung CH, Josephson KR, Mitchell MN, McCurry SM, Teng E, Irwin MR, Alessi CA, Martin JL. Sleep Disruption Due to Stress in Women Veterans: A Comparison between Caregivers and Noncaregivers. Behav Sleep Med. 2021 Mar-Apr;19(2):243-254. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2020.1732981.

About Dr. McGowan

Meet Dr. McGowan, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Education

My Approach

Research & Publications

Selected Research

Get In Touch

Contact Information