Jessica Hong

Therapist Trainee
She/her/hers

Having been shaped by an ethnic historical lineage, intergenerational joy and trauma in the nuclear family, and deconstructed western evangelical Christianity, Jessica is a second-generation Korean American who is continually evolving in unlearning socialized pressures from feeling “different” that often cause assimilation and/or dehumanization of self and others. She recognizes strategies of survival that many of us learn to pick up to cope with surviving in systems and environments that are dehumanizing and desires to work together on receiving respite and relief. She is closely familiar with the cycles of life, death (deconstruction), and resurrection (reconstruction) and seeks to destigmatize “hard” emotions (like rage, anger, sadness, apathy) that can often surface in these cycles.

In the words of beloved author and educator bell hooks, “No one heals in isolation.” Jessica is passionate about fostering space in therapy to withhold judgment and shame in order to foster inner trust, growth, and healing together. Additionally, Jessica recognizes how systems (like racism, sexism, homophobia) manifest in various ways institutionally, relationally, and internally, and therefore impact our mental health. Drawing from therapeutic methods like psychodynamic and relational cultural theory, she desires to explore with you how childhood, past experiences, and various environments impact current reality and therefore can inform steps toward healing tailored to your specific needs. As healing journeys can often feel isolating and be filled with grief, Jessica is dedicated to building a sense of safety, exploration, creativity, and integration of awe and wonder into the therapeutic space. For those involved in social justice work and activism, embracing self and communal care in the midst of traumatic systemic realities can feel nearly impossible and Jessica cares deeply about providing space to move through emotions in order to be sustained in the work.

Jessica earned her B.A. in Psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University with a concentration in Character, Morality, and Cultural Values and is currently in her second year in her MA in Social Work program at University of Chicago with a program of study in Trauma Responsive Social Work. She has years of experience working with young adults, and specifically LGBTQIA+ individuals and young adults of color, navigating their multidimensional identities especially in contexts and environments (ie. family, PWI spaces, religious spaces) that aren’t always supportive or hospitable to their authentic journey of discovering and embracing self. She is also currently on the staff research team at University of Chicago’s Midwest Longitudinal Study of Asian American Families. Jessica is honored for the chance to journey with you.