Johnson Ma Bio Page | Adler University

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Overview

Teaching is a transformational process that can foster mutual growth between the presenter and the listener. As a professor, I foster personalized learning experiences and promote learner agency through accommodation of different educational styles in an environment conducive to learning.

As a clinician, I am committed to make mental health services accessible and culturally-appropriate for minority groups. Furthermore, I intend to develop accessible community-based psycho-educational programs addressing the effects of acculturation on mental health among minority groups. My goal is to take what psychology has to offer out of the therapy room and meet clients at where they are in the community.

As an instructor and a researcher at Adler University, I collaborate with my colleagues and students to continue research and advocacy on issues of social justice and mental health disparity among visible minorities in Canada. Moreover, I provide guidance and support to our students in cultivating their own professional identities as community-minded psychologists who strive to improve the quality of mental health care in the underserved communities.

Please email me or call me 236.521.2493 if you have questions or would like more information about me.

Education

Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University
M.A., Organizational/Industrial Psychology, Teacher’s College, Columbia University
B.A., Psychology, Simon Fraser University

Professional Memberships

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) Membership #13568 (1 yr)
BC Association of Clinical Counsellor (BCACC)
Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) Registrant #13761 (2 yrs)
California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources
Registered Member of College of Psychologists of British Columbia
Member of British Columbia Psychological Association

Select Publications

Chu, J. P., Ma, J., Bongar, B., & Goldblum, P. (2014, October). Bullying as a Social-cultural Pathway to Suicide. 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.
Robinett, E. N., Chu, J. P., Ma, J. K. L., Shadish, K. Y., Goldblum, P., & Bongar, B. (2015). Relative Effects of Cultural Versus General Factors on Suicide Risk. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Chu, J. P., Khoury, O., Ma, J., Bahn, F., & Bongar, B., & Goldblum, P. (2016). An Empirical Model for Cultural Meaning of Suicide. Manuscript submitted to Journal of Clinical Psychology for publication.

Select Presentations

Ma, J., Chu, J. P., Khoury, O., Bahn, F., Bongar, B., & Goldblum, P. (2016). Examining Universal and Culture-Specific Meanings of Suicide Among Ethnic Minority Populations in the U.S.: A Mixed Methods Approach. Paper presented at the 49th Annual Conference of American Association of Suicidology, Chicago, IL.
Chu, J. P., Khoury, O., Ma, J., Bahn, F., & Bongar, B., & Goldblum, P. (2015, April). A definitive model of Cross cultural meaning of suicide themes. Paper presented at the 48th Annual Conference of American Association of Suicidology, Los Angles, CA.
Ma, J., Bahn, F., & Chu, J. P. (2014, April). Exploring cultural meaning of suicide among ethnic minority populations in U.S. Poster presented at the 47th Annual Conference of American Association of Suicidology, Los Angeles, CA.
Ma, J., Robinett, E., Shadish, K., & Chu, J. P. (2013, August). Differentiating the protective effects of religiosity among North American Asians. Poster presented at the 121st Annual American Psychological Association Convention, Honolulu, HI.
Ma, J., Robinett, E., Shadish, K., & Chu, J. P. (2013, April). Exploring the protective effects of spirituality among North American Asians. Poster presented at the 93rd Annual Western Psychological Association Convention, Reno, NV.

Vancouver Campus

Adler University in Vancouver has been, like Canada itself, born and built with an open mind. Located in the midst of one of the world’s most exciting and breathtaking cities, Adler University reflects a true Canadian spirit. It’s smart, inclusive and determined to make a world of difference. By design, our Vancouver campus echoes the Adler values and intent down every hall and in every room. It is built to live, breathe and inspire those with the passion to pursue a more just society. This is where the work gets done.

At Adler Vancouver, you’ll find multiple collaborative areas with the absolute latest technology. Learning areas and windows have literally been situated to stimulate thought. To some, that may sound odd, but these things do matter. If students are given the space, opportunity and technology to achieve their goals, they are more likely to rock the boat of conventional thought.