Jaclyn Hillis-Mascia, Psy.D.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Approach ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are experiencing multi-layered mental health concerns, it's common to feel misunderstood — even after trying therapy. Some life situations call for a treatment model that works differently. I use a therapy model specifically designed for complex mental health experiences — not a model adapted from something else. It’s called Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT). My work is focused on long‑term recovery, identity development, and helping you rebuild a sense of coherence and connection — at your pace, without pressure or judgment. I offer a collaborative space where your experiences are taken seriously, treated with respect, and never dismissed. I am a certified MERIT therapist, and I was trained directly by Dr. Paul Lysaker, the founder of the model and MERIT Institute. MERIT focuses on strengthening the abilities that psychosis and other experiences can disrupt — like understanding your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and sense of self. Instead of telling you what to think or trying to “correct” your experiences, we explore them together at your own pace. This helps you reconnect with your identity, understand your emotions more clearly, and feel more grounded in your relationships and daily life. I have 10+ years of experience of training and working within the VA system, serving Veterans who presented with a variety of concerns. My background includes years of specialized work across inpatient and residential programs, psychosocial rehabilitation centers, early psychosis services and a university counseling center — all focused-on adults navigating experiences related to trauma, psychosis, and serious mental health concerns. I’ve trained and supervised psychology students in MERIT and recovery‑oriented care, and I’ve published research on psychosis, trauma, and metacognition. In our work together, nothing is “too strange,” “too confusing,” or “too much.” We slow things down, explore what feels overwhelming, and help you build a clearer, more coherent sense of yourself. My goal is not just symptom relief — it’s long‑term recovery, meaning‑making, and helping you feel more connected to who you are and who you want to become. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How MERIT helps ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MERIT is used to help you understand your thoughts, emotions, and relationships with more clarity. It is especially helpful for adults navigating psychosis‑related experiences, trauma, substance use concerns, or longstanding interpersonal difficulties. MERIT integrates cognitive, humanistic, interpersonal, and psychodynamic therapy — but in a way that’s uniquely built for people who struggle to put their experiences into words or feel disconnected from themselves or others. MERIT is human-focused — not symptom-focused. This reflective approach helps to support recovery by improving your ability to understand yourself and others. It can lead to a deeper understanding of difficulties and supports more effective ways of addressing them. As you gain clarity about yourself, you naturally become better able to understand others — leading to healthier communication, stronger boundaries, and more meaningful connection. If you’d like to learn more about the MERIT model and its research foundation, you can visit: www.meritinstitute.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What You Can Expect ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - A calm, steady therapeutic space - Respect for your lived experience - Support that honors your pace - Clearer understanding of thoughts and emotions - Insight-driven conservations without pressure or judgment - More flexible, compassionate ways of relating - A stronger, more coherent sense of identity - Meaning‑making and coherence in your life story - A focus on long‑term growth and connection ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why Private‑Pay Care Matters ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a private‑pay practice, I offer the flexibility, privacy, and depth of care that many clients prefer when they’re ready to prioritize their mental health on their own terms. Your goals — not insurance limitations — guide the work we do together. Although I am not in-network with insurance, I can provide documentation (known as a superbill) for clients to use out-of-network benefits. Payments can also be made from HSA and FSA accounts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Begin Recovery-Oriented Therapy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If your experiences are confusing, isolating, or hard to explain, you’re not broken — you are finding your way and trying to reconnect with the parts of yourself that might feel lost. You don’t have to navigate that process alone. If you are seeking a therapist, I’m here to support you when you are ready take your next step toward recovery. I offer in‑person therapy in Columbus, Ohio, and secure telehealth for adults anywhere in Ohio. - Schedule a free 15-minute consultation - Share your goals, concerns, and questions - Begin therapy at a pace that feels right for you - Choose in-person in Columbus, OH or telehealth appointments