College of Arts & Sciences

Akihiko Masuda

Research and Clinical Interests

I am a contextual behavioral scientist. I have a solid background in clinical behavior analysis and acceptance- and mindfulness-based psychotherapies. I am very much interested in experimental analysis of psychopathology and a behavioral model that accounts for a wide range of clinical and social issues. I am also interested in the mechanisms of change in behavioral interventions. I have been investigating the role of behavioral processes, such as acceptance and cognitive defusion, on psychopathology and clinical outcomes of behavioral interventions.

Given my multicultural background, diversity issues are also of my great interest. I have been working on research projects, investigating mental health related stigma in diversity contexts and the role of psychological flexibility in the relation between mental health stigma and psychological distress.  

Clinically, I have exceptional training in mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral interventions, especially Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My clinical experiences are broad with diverse clinical populations in a wide range of clinical settings, including university counseling center, outpatient clinic, residential home, and community mental health hospitals. Recently, I have been actively involved in therapist training, supervision, and treatment consultation.

Representative Publications

Masuda, A., Price, M., Anderson, P. L., Schmertz, S. K., & Calamaras, M. R. (in press). The role of psychological flexibility in mental health stigma and psychological distress for the stigmatizer. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.

Stotts, A. L., Masuda, A., & Wilson, K. (in press). Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy during methadone dose reduction: Rationale, treatment description, and a case report. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice.

Masuda, A., Hayes, S. C., Twohig, M. P., Drossel C., Lillis, J., & Washio, Y. (in press). A parametric study of cognitive defusion and the believability and discomfort of negative self-relevant thoughts, Behavior Modification.

Masuda, A., Hayes, S. C., Twohig, M. P., Lillis, J., Fletcher, L. B, & Gloster, A. T. (in press). Comparing Japanese international students and U.S. college students’ mental health related stigmatizing attitudes. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development.

Masuda, A., & O'Donohue, W. (2009). Buddhism: It’s chique, but they could have it wrong. In N. Cumming, W. O’Donohue, J. Cummings (Eds). Psychology’s War on Religion (pp. 229-253). Phenix, AZ: Zeig, Tucker & Theisen.

Masuda, A., & Wilson, K. (2009). Mindfulness: Being mindful in psychotherapy. In W. O’Donohue & S. Graybar (Eds.). Handbook of contemporary psychotherapy: Toward an improved understanding of effective psychotherapy (pp. 249-268). New York: Sage Publication.

Masuda, A., Muto, T., Hayes, S. C., & Lillis, J. (2008). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Application to a Japanese client. Japanese Journal of Behavior Therapy, 34, 137-148.

Hayes, S. C., Masuda, A., Shenk, C., Yadavaia, J. E., Boulanger, J., Vilardaga, R., Plumb, et al. (2007). Applied extensions of behavior principles: Applied behavior al concepts and behavioral theories. In D. Woods & J. Kantor (Eds.), Understanding behavior disorders:  A contemporary behavior analytic perspective (pp. 47-80). Reno, NV: Context Press.

Masuda, A., Hayes, S. C., Fletcher, L. B., Seignourel, P. J., Bunting, K., Herbst, S. A., Twohig, M. P., & Lillis, J. (2007). The impact of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy versus education on stigma toward people with psychological disorders. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 2764-2772.

Twohig, M. P., Hayes, S. C., & Masuda, A. (2006). A preliminary investigation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a treatment for chronic skin picking. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 1513-1522.

Twohig, M. P., Hayes, S. C., & Masuda, A. (2006). Increasing willingness to experience obsessions: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder. Behavior Therapy, 37, 3-13.

Hayes, S. C., Luoma, J. B., Bond, F. W., Masuda, A., & Lillis, J. (2006). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Model, processes, and outcomes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 1-25.

Masuda, A., Suzumura, K., Beauchamp, K. L., Howells, G. N., & Clay, C. (2005). United States and Japanese college students' attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help.  International Journal of Psychology, 40, 303-313.

Hayes. S. C., Bissett, R., Roget, N., Padilla, M., Kohlenberg, B. S., Fisher, G., Masuda, A., Pistorello, J., Rye, A. K., Berry, K., & Niccolls, R. (2004). The Impact of Acceptance and Commitment Training and Multicultural Training on the stigmatizing attitudes and professional burnout of substance abuse counselors, Behavior Therapy, 35, 821-836.

Masuda, A., Hayes, S. C., Sackett, C. F., & Twohig, M. P. (2004). Cognitive defusion and self-relevant negative thoughts: Examining the impact of a ninety year old technique. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42, 477-485.

Hayes, S. C., Masuda, A., Bissett, R., Luoma, J., & Guerrero, L. F. (2004). DBT, FAP, and ACT: How empirically oriented are the new behavior therapy technologies? Behavior Therapy, 35, 35-54.

Hayes, S. C., Niccolls, R., Masuda, A., & Rye, A. (2002). Prejudice, terrorism, and behavior therapy. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 9, 296-301.