Education
Ph.D. & Master's in Clinical Psychology, University of
California at Berkeley, 1999
Bachelor's in Psychology, Yale University, 1991
Pre-doctoral clinical internship,
Stanford's Children's Hospital
& the Children's Health Clinic
Areas of Expertise
Adult Psychopathology
Attachment Theory
College Student Adjustment
Emerging Adulthood
Psychotherapy Practice
Statistics
Research Methods
Biography
Dr. Mattanah was appointed Assistant Professor of Psychology at Towson University
in 1999, promoted to Associate Professor in 2004, and to Full Professor in 2011.
Dr. Mattanah is a professor in Clinical Psychology area at Towson University. For
this program, he teaches courses in psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and advanced
developmental psychology. Within the undergraduate and graduate programs, Dr. Mattanah
teaches courses such as:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Human Development
- Systems and Techniques of Psychotherapy
- Behavioral Statistics
- Research Methods in Psychology
Dr. Mattanah also teaches specialized courses on topics such as:
- Attachment Theory
- Children’s Literature
- Emerging Adult Development
- Family Psychology
- Psychoanalysis
Research Interests
Dr. Mattanah’s research interests focus broadly on lifespan development with a particular
interest in those factors that predict social and emotional development during emerging
adulthood (Ages 18-25). He examines family factors, attachment security, and romantic
and close friendship relationships as important determinants of socio-emotional development
and optimal outcomes during the transition into, through, and out of the emerging
adult years. Dr. Mattanah’s research has been published in significant journals in
developmental and counseling psychology, including The Journal of Counseling Psychology, The Journal of College Student Development,
and Personal Relationships.
Clinical Interests
Dr. Mattanah specializes in the treatment of adults and adolescents with a variety
of forms of psychopathology but with a particular emphasis on anxiety disorders, depression,
and major life transitions. He practices part-time as a clinician at the Anxiety and
Stress Disorders Institute and maintains his own private practice.
Selected Publications
Mattanah, J.F. (2016). College Student Psychological Development: Exploring Relational Dynamics that Predict
Success. Momentum Press. Available on Amazon.
Mattanah, J. F., Lopez, F. G., & Govern, J. M. (2011). The Contributions of Parental Attachment Bonds
to College Student Development and Adjustment: A Meta-Analytic Review. Journal of
Counseling Psychology, 58, 565-596. PDF.
Mattanah, J.F., Ayers, J., Brand, B., Brooks, L., Quimby, J., & McNary, S. (2010). A social support
intervention to ease the college transition: Exploring main effects and moderators.
Journal of College Student Development, 51, 93-108. PDF.
Mattanah, J. F., Hancock, G., & Brand, B. L. (2004). Parental attachment, separation-individuation,
and college student adjustment: a structural equation analysis of mediational effects.
Journal of Counseling Psychology, 51, 213-225. PDF.