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A man with short dark hair and glasses stands with arms crossed, wearing a blue short-sleeve button-up shirt and dark pants, against a plain light gray background.

Johnson Ma, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Clinical Psychology

Vancouver

jma@adler.edu Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Research Gate
  • Overview
  • Memberships + Associations
  • publications + Presentations
  • Leadership

OVERVIEW

Dr. Ma joined the Psy.D. program at Adler University in Vancouver in 2016 and currently serves as an assistant professor of Clinical Psychology. He is a Registered Clinical Psychologist based in Vancouver, B.C. He earned his Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and his Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University, with a specialization in diversity and community mental health. His clinical work focuses on bilingual, culturally responsive diagnostic assessment and psychotherapy, using psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioural approaches to treat complex trauma, psychiatric comorbidity, chronic pain and adjustment to neurological injuries. His research interests include diversity-related mental health issues and cultural models of suicide.


MEMBERSHIPS + ASSOCIATIONS

  • College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
  • Canadian Register Health Services Psychologist (CRHSP).

Publications + Presentations

Publications

Including clinical psychologists in Assertive Community Treatment teams.

2023 Community Psychology.
Author(s): Powell, C., Ma, J., & Dorfan, N.
Publication Link: https://www.communitypsychology.com/including-clinical-psychologists-in-acts/

Cultural versus classic risk and protective factors for suicide.

2019 Death Studies, doi:10.1080/07481187.2018.1430085
Author(s): Chu, J., Robinett, E. N., Ma, J. L., Shadish, K. Y., Goldblum, P., & Bongar, B.

An Empirical Model and Ethnic Differences in Cultural Meanings Via Motives for Suicide.

2017 Journal Of Clinical Psychology, 73(10), 1343-1359. doi:10.1002/jclp.22425
Author(s): Chu, J., Khoury, O., Ma, J., Bahn, F., Bongar, B., & Goldblum, P.

Bullying as a Social-cultural Pathway to Suicide.

2014 In P. Goldblum, D. L. Espelage, J. Chu, & B. Bongar (Eds.),
The challenge of youth suicide and bullying.
New York, NY US: Oxford University Press.
Author(s): Chu, J. P., Ma, J., Bongar, B., & Goldblum, P.

Presentations

Examining Universal and Culture-Specific Meanings of Suicide Among Ethnic Minority Populations in the U.S.: A Mixed Methods Approach.

2016 Paper presented at the 49th Annual Conference of American Association of Suicidology, Chicago, IL
Author(s): Ma, J., Chu, J. P., Khoury, O., Bahn, F., Bongar, B., & Goldblum, P.

LEADERSHIP + ENGAGEMENT

  • APA Division 32 – Task Force on Indigenous Psychology Member.
  • British Columbia Psychological Association, BCPA Diversity and Social Advocacy Committee Member, 2021-2024.
  • Ongoing Pro-Bono Outreach Psychoeducational Workshop for SUCCCESS Chinese Helplines Volunteer and Chinese immigrant groups in Vancouver.
  • MPA Society Board Member, 2017-2019

Areas of Interest

  • Diversity community mental health issues
  • Culturally informed suicide assessment
  • interventions for immigrants
  • Education

    • Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology, APA Accredited Program, Palo Alto University, 2016
    • Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2002
    • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Educational Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 1998

    Licensure + Certificates

    • Registered Psychologist (R. Psych. CHCPBC#2379)
    • Registered Health Services Psychologist (CRHSP#71757)
    • British Columbia Psychological Association member
    • Canadian Psychological Association member

    Awards

    • Diversity Dissertation Scholarship 
      Santa Clara County Psychological Association (SCCPA)

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