Profiles

Jenny H Pak

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Ph.D., University of Southern California.
M.A., Fuller Theological Seminary, School of Psychology
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Pak teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in psychology. Her expertise is in narrative analysis and integrating the dynamic function of culture on human development and the self. Underpinning her broad research interests is a commitment to bridging the gap between science and practice and incorporating “meaning” and intentionality in psychological inquiry. She comes with many years of professional consultation and counseling experience in both community mental health and private practice settings.

Dr. Pak’s clinical interests include in-depth integration of meaning and emotion in psychotherapy with individuals, couples and family, cross-cultural counseling, narrative and identity development in women and the aging population.

Dr. Pak’s research interests include narrative inquiry, culture, marriage, family, calling and vocational development, posttraumatic growth, generativity, and spiritual maturity.

Affiliations

American Psychological Association
American Association of Marriage Family Therapy
Christian Association of Psychological Studies

Publications

Wolff, J., Pak, J., Meeske, K., Worden, J. W., & Katz, E. (2011). Understanding why fathers assume primary medical caretaker responsibilities of children with life-threatening illnesses. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 12(2), 144-157.
Wolff, J., Pak, J., Meeske, K., Worden, J.W., & Katz, E. (2010). Challenges and coping styles of fathers as primary medical caretakers: A multicultural qualitative study. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 28 (2), 202-217.
Pak, J. (2006). Korean American Women's Identity: Stories of Acculturation. New York: Routledge.
Pak, J. , Bensimon, E.M., Malcom, L., Marquez, A. & Park, D. (2006). The life histories of ten individuals who crossed the border between community colleges and selective four-year colleges. Los Angeles, California: University of Southern California.
Gibson, N., Hicks, M., Kimball, C., Pak, J., Plante, T., Porter, S. (2006). Invitation to the table conversation: A few diverse perspectives on integration. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 25, 338-353.

Note: this is only a select list of publications by this faculty member.

For a complete list, please see their CV Document.

Presentations

Thurston, N., Brokaw, B., Clark, C., Pak, J., & Ward, D. (2011, April). An attachment-based approach to clinical mentoring: Are students “earning (or losing) attachment security” while earning their diplomas? Symposium presented at the meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Pak, J., Confer, J. R., Davis, K., Ellis, T., Yu, G. (2011, April). The road less traveled: Training in a psychodynamic approach in a quick-fix era. Symposium presented at the meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Pak, J., Schrage, K., & Wang, L. (2010, April). Understanding the impact of parental values across the life span: Implication for identity development and well-being. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Kansas City, Kansas.
Pak, J. (2009, April). East and West: Stories of integrating and healing the bicultural divide. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Orlando, Florida.
Pak, J. (2008, August). Narrative study in ethnic minority research: A context-bound inquiry. Presentation at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Boston, Massachusetts.
Bensimon, E.M., Pak, J., & Tillery, A. (2006, June). Reaching transfer students: Crossing the border between community colleges and selective four-year colleges. Plenary session presented at the National Forum sponsored by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Washington, D.C.
Polkinghorne, D., Chang, H.F., Pak, J., Ramesh, S., & Read, M. (2001, August). Activities on identity: Self-story in multiple realms. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
Carter, J., Pak, J., & Goodyear, R. (2000, August). Cultural differences in alliance formationduring group supervision. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington D.C.
Chung, R. G., & Pak, J. (1998, August). Family enrichment program: An intervention for Korean immigrant families. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.

Note: this is only a select list of presentations by this faculty member.