Throughout my decade of experience in psychology, I have treated a wide range of mental health concerns, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma/PTSD, phobias, substance misuse and abuse, interpersonal conflict, self-harm, and suicidality. I also carry a specialty developed during my time with Rutgers Athletics, where I worked with NCAA Division I athletes and coaches across many different sports. I work with high performers not only in athletic settings but also in educational and career settings. Whether you are a student, accomplished professional, musician, athlete, artist, writer, or in any field that demands high performance, anxiety can be a significant obstacle. I can assure you that you are not alone, and I am here to help. 

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I also have a solid commitment to serving the LGBTQ+ community. I have dedicated much of my career to researching LGBTQ+ students, athletes, and professionals. My research has resulted in several professional presentations and papers focused on how factors such as minority stress, substance use, and coping influence the mental health of these populations. Indeed, I am dedicated to providing an inclusive, culturally sensitive, and supportive psychotherapy environment for adults of all ages, races, sexualities, genders, and abilities. I approach my work with humility. I can always improve my understanding of your world, which may differ greatly from my own. 

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As a clinician, the transformative power of self-awareness inspires me. My approach to therapy is integrative, blending cognitive, behavioral, skill-based, and relational approaches. I may work with you on performance enhancement, help you explore your identity, and help you reflect on your motivations and barriers to personal growth. I believe in making the unconscious conscious to foster meaningful change, especially when this occurs within a safe, caring, supportive, and, at times, challenging therapeutic relationship. I am committed to helping you achieve your fullest potential. 

Please reach out to embark on an insightful, healing, and growthful journey unique to you. I will be both a teammate and a coach. My expertise always relies on our close collaboration. 

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I look forward to meeting you.

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“The psychological rule says that when an inner situation is not made conscious, it happens outside, as fate.” — Carl Jung

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PRESENTATIONS:

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● Macchia, J.M., Glenn, D.J., & Economou, P.J. (August 2024). Queer athletes: The relationship between competition, internalized homophobia, and mental health. Poster presented at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association, Seattle, WA. o Professional Poster of the Year Award, APA Division 47 

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● Macchia, J.M. (August 2024). Sexuality and mental health: Impacts of stress, coping, and community connectedness. Poster presented at the annual conferences of the American Psychological Association, Seattle, WA. 

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● Wilsey, C.N., Cramer, R.J., Macchia, J.M., Poston, R., & Golom, F.D. (June 2019). Describing the nature and correlates of health service providers’ competency working with sexual and gender identity minorities: A systematic review. Poster presented at the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists annual conference, Philadelphia, PA. 

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● Wilsey, C.N., Cramer. R.J., Hinkle, I., Kukla, A., & Macchia, J. (March 2019). Implementation and evaluation of a psycho-educational training on sexual and gender minority needs for military sexual assault victim advocates. Poster presented at the annual conference of the American Psychology-Law Society. Portland, OR. 

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● Macchia, J.M., Cramer, R.J., Wright, S., Gemberling, T.M., Nobles, M.R., & Holley, S.R. (August 2018). Minority stress, impulsivity, coping & weekly alcohol/substance use among LGBQ+ adults. Poster presented at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA. 

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● Theodore, J.L., & Macchia, J.M. (August 2016). Learning assessment, treatment and prevention of suicidality via role-play. Poster presented at the 124th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Denver, CO. 

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● Theodore, J.L., & Macchia, J.M. (April 2016). Using the Transtheoretical Model for classroom-based clinical role-play of substance abuse treatment. Oral presentation of paper at the 30th Annual Conference on the Teaching of Psychology, Tarrytown, NY. 

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● Theodore, J.L., & Macchia, J.M. (March 2016). Classroom role-play of smoking cessation treatment using the Transtheoretical Model. Poster presented at the 87th Annual Convention of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, NY.

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● Jacobs-Bao, K., Schreer, G., & Macchia, J. (January 2016). Is happiness a warm puppy?: Examining the association between pets and well-being. Poster presented at the 17th Annual Convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Diego, CA. 

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● Theodore, J.L., Shidlo, A., & Macchia, J.M. (August 2015). Gay-affirmative counseling and changes in depression among men with internalized homophobia. Poster presented at the 123rd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, ON. 

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● Theodore, J.L., & Macchia, J.M. (March 2015). Teaching students SOAP and DAP note construction via clinical role-play. Oral presentation of paper at the 29th Annual Conference on the Teaching of Psychology, Tarrytown, NY. 

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PUBLICATIONS: 

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● Bowling, J., Montanaro, E., Cramer R.J., Mennicke, A., Wilsey, C.N., Kaniuka, A.R., Wright, S., Macchia, J.M., Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., & Heron, K.E. (2023). Gender, sexual orientation, and mental health in the kink community: An application of coping self-efficacy theory. Psychology and Health, 38(4), 478-493. 

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● Cramer, R.J., Kaniuka, A.R., Yada, F., Diaz-Garelli, F., Hill, R.M., Bowling, J., Macchia, J.M., & Tucker, R.P. (2022). An analysis of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among transgender and gender diverse adults. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 57(1), 195-205. 

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● Wilsey, C.N., Cramer, R.J., Macchia, J.M., & Golom, F.D. (2020). Describing the nature and correlates of health service providers’ competency working with sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients: A systematic review. Health Promotion Practice, 22(4), 475-490. 

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● Cramer, R.J., Wilsey, C., Hinkle, I., Kukla, A., & Macchia, J. (2019). Implementation and evaluation of a psycho-educational training on sexual and gender minority needs for military sexual assault victim advocates. Military Behavioral Health, 7(1), 14-21. 

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● Theodore, J.L., & Macchia, J.M. (2017). Learning assessment, treatment and prevention of suicidality via role-play [Abstract]. In R.L. Miller (Ed.), Teaching tips: A compendium of conference presentations on teaching, 2015-16 (pgs. 99-101). E-book: Society for the Teaching of Psychology, Division 2 of the American Psychological Association. 

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● Theodore, J.L., & Macchia, J.M. (2016). Classroom role-play of smoking cessation treatment using the Transtheoretical Model [Abstract]. Proceedings and Abstracts from the 87th Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. Volume 87, pg. 32.