Joseph Costanza, Psy.D.

Professional Background – Dr. Joseph Costanza, Psy.D.
A lifelong Rochester native, Dr. Costanza brings a deep commitment to giving back to the community that shaped him, with the goal of being a trusted and compassionate asset to individuals and families across the region. With a broad range of c...

Professional Background – Dr. Joseph Costanza, Psy.D.
A lifelong Rochester native, Dr. Costanza brings a deep commitment to giving back to the community that shaped him, with the goal of being a trusted and compassionate asset to individuals and families across the region. With a broad range of clinical and educational experiences, Dr. Costanza provides comprehensive psychological care across the lifespan, informed by a strong foundation in person-centered, evidence-based practice.
Dr. Costanza's professional journey began with over a decade of direct in-home support for individuals with multiple disabilities, working closely with families to navigate the challenges of adulthood, independence, and community integration. This early experience fostered a nuanced understanding of multisystem collaboration and the vital importance of wraparound care. He has conducted extensive psychological assessments across diverse settings—from preschool cognitive, achievement, behavioral, and adaptive evaluations, to addressing adolescent learning, developmental, and emotional disabilities within public school systems. In parallel, he has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings with adult veterans, further enriching his perspective on clinical care and continuity across the lifespan.
His areas of clinical interest include autism spectrum disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, the intersection of cognition and emotion, and therapeutic approaches that emphasize human connection, compassion, and unconditional positive regard. Dr. Costanza is dedicated to fostering dignity, empowerment, and resilience in every individual he serves.
Dr. Costanza earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from SUNY Brockport in 2016 and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical/School Psychology from Roberts Wesleyan University in 2021. His scholarly contributions include a program evaluation study focused on students with autism spectrum disorder, as well as co-authorship on research examining the psychological constructs of grace and forgiveness.
Research/Publications:
Costanza, J. A. (2020). Program Evaluation of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Western New York School District. Roberts Wesleyan College (Rochester).
Bassett, R. L., Komerek, V., Davison, A., Costanza, J., Draper, B., Macmillen, A., ... & Vitalia, J. (2019). Grace and forgiveness: Like lightning and thunder?. Journal of Psychology & Christianity, 38(4).