Si-Yi (Jessica) Chao, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Chao is an assistant professor in Counselor Education program at University of Kentucky (UK). Dr. Chao received her bachelor’s degree of physical therapy at China Medical University, the master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at Changhua University of Education in Taiwan, and the doctoral degree in the Rehabilitation Counseling and Administration program in the Rehabilitation Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). She worked for ten years as a licensed physical therapist and provided physical therapy, rehabilitation counseling, and case management for people with neurological impairments, people with acute and chronic pain conditions, people with cancer, people living with HIV/ AIDS, and people with working injuries. She was also a leader who supervised new employees and conducted internship training programs. Dr. Chao has served and integrated the resources for those requiring intensive care, inpatient services, outpatient services and community resources using a “whole person” model related to medical, psychological, vocational, academic, and social aspects. She constructed a community-based rehabilitation program funded by Taiwan’s government. Program services included evaluation, treatment plan development, education and health promotion, psychological adaptation, coping strategies, advocacy, and resource integration for the customers and the community.
Dr. Chao is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She had experiences working with students with disabilities at Disability Resource Center of UK for career transitioning to employment in 2019-2020. Currently, she is a consultant providing family counseling and home-based behavioral interventions for Asian parents of children with autism spectrum disorders in Southern Illinois. Also, she serves as an instructor of Multicultural Counseling Competency courses at the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) eUniversity.
Dr. Chao’s research interests include career development for school-age students, life care planning for people with disabilities, community-based rehabilitation application, quality of life and wellness promotion, case management, supervisor education training, and multicultural competences of human service professionals. She has published eight peer-reviewed articles, two edited books, one translated book, and six book chapters. Dr. Chao has been honored Dorothy Dykema Endowed Scholarship, National Association of Rehabilitation Leadership Award, and Dissertation Research Award presented by Rehabilitation Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Research categories: Identity Development, Intersectionality, Career Development, Mental Health, Diversity and Inclusion, Cross-Cultural Issues, Multicultural Counseling Competencies