MEET Dr. jaclyn Hillis-mascia
Clinical psychologist
I am a licensed, clinical psychologist in Columbus, Ohio. I work with adults navigating complex, confusing, and multilayered inner experiences. I offer in-person therapy in the Grandview area and securely online across Ohio and 33 participating PSYPACT states.
I specialize in therapy for adults who are looking for a depth-oriented approach that prioritizes self-reflection and meaning-making. My work is collaborative and steady. Together, we explore your inner world with curiosity and care, building a clearer sense of yourself, the people around you, and the possibilities available to you. I am here to help you think about your life in new ways and move toward meaningful, lasting change.
Attachment concerns
Identity development
Relationship difficulties
Big life changes
Psychosis & schizophrenia
Mood-related concerns
I’m here to help with…
Hearing voices
Unusual experiences
Avoidance
Self-esteem
Complex Trauma
Substance misuse
what I believe
At the core of my approach to therapy is a belief that every experience can be understood & change is possible.
Many people have experiences that create confusion, feelings of being disconnected from themselves, or conflicting emotions that can be hard to sort out. These experiences can make a person’s sense of reality feel shaky and hard to imagine how to move forward. I believe people make the deepest changes when they feel safe to explore their inner world freely within the context of therapy. I use an integrative approach based on Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT), relational, and humanistic principles. The therapeutic relationship becomes the space where curiosity, reflection, and clarity take shape.
In sessions with me, we will work to make sense of your thoughts and emotions. 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. You don’t have to fit a certain mold to work with me. Your beliefs, your story, and your way of being and lifestyle are all valued here.
The Experiences That Shape How I Work today
I am a licensed psychologist with training in depth-oriented psychotherapy, trauma-informed care, and metacognitive approaches for psychosis.
I have 10+ years of experience of providing evidence-based therapy within the VA system. I proudly served Veterans who presented with a variety of concerns living in both urban and rural communities. My background includes years of specialized training across inpatient and residential units, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), early psychosis services and a university counseling center.
I am a certified MERIT therapist, and was trained directly by Dr. Paul Lysaker, the founder of the model and MERIT Institute. I continue to be actively involved in the Institute and have contributed to research and the supervision of psychology students over the past years, all in service of strengthening the field of recovery oriented care. To learn more about MERIT, click here.
I also am certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). I trained in Motivational Interviewing (MI), cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis (CBTp), and Social Skills Training (SST).
Therapy with me is…
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I hold the unshakable belief that you’re doing the best you can to protect yourself, even when it doesn’t feel that way. When your experiences are met with curiosity and compassion instead of judgment, even the most chaotic moments begin to make sense. Learn more.
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I know it can be hard to trust someone new. I offer a calm, steady therapeutic space where we work together at your own pace. You decide what is important to talk about and what you are ready to share.
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No one’s life journey is perfect or predictable. Sometimes when you finally see something clearly, it hurts for a moment. This passes and the pain softens. And that’s when the real change happens. Learn more.
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My practice is rooted in a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. I see these values as lived responsibilities rather than statements, and I work to embody them through curiosity, respect and a willingness to examine my own assumptions. My training introduced me to the importance of service, justice, dignity and human connection, and my continued work has deepened my understanding of what it means to practice these values with intention. I aim to offer a space where every person feels valued, with particular care for those who have been pushed to the margins or excluded.
Education & Clinical Experiences
2025 - Present: Owner and Clinical Psychologist, Hillis Psychological Services, LLC
2024 - Present: Certified MERIT-therapist, MERIT Institute
2017 -2024: Clinical Psychologist, Chillicothe VA Medical Center
2016 - 2017: Clinical Psychologist, OSU Counseling & Consultation Service
2016 - Present: Licensed Clinical Psychologist, State of Ohio
2015 - 2016: Postdoctoral Residency, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
2010 - 2015: Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Clinical Psychology, University of Indianapolis
2015: Certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Chillicothe VA Medical Center
2014 - 2015: Predoctoral Internship, Chillicothe VA Medical Center
2010 - 2012: Master of Arts (MA), Clinical Psychology, University of Indianapolis
2006 - 2010: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with High Distinction, Ohio Northern University
please Hear me when I say:
Being here doesn’t mean you’re “not normal.” It means you’re human.
You may be holding experiences that feel tangled or overwhelming. You may not know how to name what is happening inside you or where to begin. You may feel alone with thoughts or perceptions that shift, intensify, or feel hard to share. I want you to know that nothing is “too strange,” “too confusing,” or “too much.” Your experiences are human and can be understood.
In our work together, we slow things down and explore what feels overwhelming and jumbled. We work to help you build a clearer, deeper sense of yourself. The goal is not just symptom relief. It’s about meaning‑making and using what you learn about yourself to more effectively cope with daily distress.