Jaclyn Hillis-Mascia, Psy.D.

You may be here because something inside you feels different. Your thoughts are intrusive, louder, or more jumbled than usual. Your emotions feel confusing or overwhelming. Your sense of reality feels shaky or hard to trust. You might be having experiences you don’t know how to talk about, or you’ve tried to explain them before and felt misunderstood. This is common even after trying therapy. Some life situations call for a treatment model that works differently. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Approach ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I use a therapy model called Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT). It is a therapy approach that specifically developed for adults navigating complex mental health concerns, including psychosis‑related experiences, intense emotions, identity shifts, or long‑standing relational patterns that feel hard to break. Many people I work with arrive feeling unsteady inside, unsure how to make sense of what they’re thinking or feeling and longing for clarity and direction. My expertise is in helping you understand your inner world and reclaim a life that feels like it belongs to you again. I work 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. 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 units, psychosocial rehabilitation centers, early psychosis services and a university counseling center, all focusing on adults navigating experiences related to trauma and complex mental health concerns. 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, deeper 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. 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 and move toward reclaiming your life. MERIT is human-focused. It's not symptom-focused. It 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. This reflective approach helps to support you reclaim your life by improving your ability to think about your own thinking in a new way, leading to a deeper understanding of how to better address your challenges. 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 guide the work we do together without limitations by insurance. 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