Jessica Cho Kim, LCSW

Jessica is a PhD candidate whose dissertation explores the cultural epistemology of trauma in mental health practice among Korean American social workers. She is a licensed clinical social worker and certified clinical trauma professional with 15 years of practice experience in agency, governmental, and private practice settings delivering clinical services to children, adults, and families.

Jessica is committed to research and practice that centers perspectives of AAPI communities in understanding mental health needs, and ways to critically re-imagine new systems of care. Jessica is a keynote speaker on the topic of racialized trauma and AAPI mental health in academic, community, and corporate settings. She promotes policies that advance flourishing for AAPI communities outside formal mental health services, including advocating at the local and state level for AAPI curriculum in K-12 public schools, integrating mental health services in AAPI faith based institutions, and community organizing cultural festivals and events that celebrate AAPI identities.

Jessica serves on multiple boards including Make Us Visible NJ, Mustard Seed Generation, Asian American Alliance in South Jersey, and the Mayoral Citizens Advisory Cabinet of Cherry Hill. She is a recipient of the competitive CSWE Minority Fellowship Program award which supports the development of promising doctoral students committed to serving mental health and substance use needs of underserved communities. Additionally, she was awarded the prestigious Penn PhD Presidential Fellowship which supports doctoral scholars in pursuit of research most poised to impact social change. She was also recognized by SP2 with the honorable Hal Levin Award for her meritorious achievements.

Jessica was born in Seoul, South Korea. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University. Additionally, she completed a post-master’s social work fellowship in child and adolescent mental health at Yale University Child Study Center. She lives in South Jersey with her husband, three children, and laborador retriever.