Dr. John Pachankis’s research examines the psychological consequences of possessing a stigmatized identity and follows three closely related lines of investigation: 1) the mental health implications of possessing a concealable stigma like being gay or HIV-positive; 2) anxiety reactions in stigmatized populations (e.g., social anxiety and rejection sensitivity in gay men); and 3) effective psychosocial interventions for individuals coping with these difficulties. The overarching goal of his research is to identify the social-cognitive mechanisms that may be implicated in mental health complications of stigmatized individuals while applying these findings to the psychotherapeutic alleviation of these difficulties. He plans to establish evidence-based psychosocial interventions (individual and group treatments) for individuals coping with identity-related stressors and stigma.

Courses: Cognitive Assessment; Adult Psychopathology; Behavior Therapy; and Identity, Stigma, and Mental Health I-II.

Education

Psychology Intern, McLean Hospital / Harvard Medical School; Belmont, MA. 2007–2008.

PhD, Clinical Psychology; State University of New York; Stony Brook, NY. 2004–2008.

MA, Psychology; State University of New York; Stony Brook, NY. 2002–2004.

BA, Psychology; Loyola University; New Orleans, Louisiana. 1998–2002.

CV (PDF) Publications (PDF)