Joanna studied experimental psychology and (later) theology at Oxford University, and clinical psychology and (later) Christianity and the Arts at King's College, London (where she is still pursuing doctoral studies). After many years working in the National Health Service as a clinical psychologist, Joanna moved into the field of psychology of religion as director of the MA programme in psychology of religion at Heythrop College, University of London. From 2010-2020 she was Karl Jaspers Lecturer in psychology and spirituality at Cuddesdon, and Oxford Diocesan Older People’s Adviser.

Recent books include The psychology of Christian character formation (SCM, 2015), Being mindful being Christian (Monarch, 2016), Thinking of you: A theological and practical resource for the spiritual care of people with dementia (BRF, 2017), When you pray (BRF, 2019), Seriously Messy (BRF, 2019), Neurology and religion (CUP, 2019), So longeth my soul: A reader in Christian spirituality (SCM, 2024), Death and life: A church's guide to exploring mortality (BRF, 2024).