Jessica De Brun

Jessica De Brun is an Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Programs at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in San Marcos, CA, within the College of Rehabilitative Sciences. She joined USAHS in 2020 and brings extensive clinical experience in mental health occupational therapy across diverse community-based settings.

Education

• Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Loma Linda University
• Master of Occupational Therapy, Loma Linda University
• Bachelor of Science in Health Science, Loma Linda University

Research Interests

Dr. De Brun's scholarly work centers on trauma-informed approaches across multiple domains, with emphasis on pediatric mental health, occupational justice, and systemic vulnerabilities. Her research spans trauma-informed care and pedagogy, secondary trauma among healthcare professionals, infant-pediatric mental health interventions, intimate partner violence recovery frameworks, and substance use rehabilitation. She investigates the maternal-child co-occupational experience and program development in emerging practice areas to address systemic inequities and promote holistic well-being in marginalized populations.

Advising and Professional Service

• Mentored fieldwork students in pediatric trauma centers, domestic violence shelters, substance recovery programs, school districts, and regional centers
• Chair of the Occupational Therapy Association of California’s (OTAC) nominations committee, advocating for statewide OT leadership and professional advancement