Jessica Young is an Associate Professor Emerita at Columbia College Chicago and the 2020 recipient of the American Dance Therapy Association’s President’s Award and Excellence in Education Award. Her nearly 25-year career spans serving those who are homeless with severe and chronic mental illness to educating master’s students in Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) and undergraduates in Arts in Health and wellness. She has facilitated over 35 peer reviewed conference presentations nationally and internationally. Her research and publications focus on the therapeutic movement relationship; DMT as a strengths-based practice; bridging DMT and drama therapy; DMT theory, practice, and education; and wellness programming. Her clinical expertise is rooted in harm reduction, motivational interviewing, healing centered engagement, and trauma-informed care as she guides individuals, groups, and communities along their journey of health, healing, and well-being. She practices at New Prairie Counseling Center and offers clinical supervision.
