About Jess
Photo by Tumay Aslan
Jess Semaan is a queer Lebanese poet, mental health professional, group facilitator and speaker. She researches, writes and speaks on subjects of healing from complex trauma, immigration, war and belonging. Her first poetry book Child of the Moon was published by Andrews McMeel and sold over 14,000 copies. Her second book Your Therapist is Depressed Too came out in December 2023. The book chronicles the life of a new psychotherapist during the pandemic, who is witnessing the collapse of her home country from afar.
Jess currently facilitates student groups at both UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz and her own. She has extensive experience and training in interpersonal group facilitation, healing circles as well as learning and support groups. She is also a trauma informed trained psychotherapist, and recently completed her trainings in psychedelic assisted therapy.
Semaan immigrated to the United States from Beirut, to pursue an MBA at Stanford and went on to earn an M.A. in counseling Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies. Prior to following this path, she was one of the early hires that helped scale Airbnb, and founded The Passion Co. an organization that helps people find and pursue their passions.
Jess identifies as SWANA, and her grandparents are from Syria, Palestine and Mount Lebanon.
Semaan resides on Ohlone land (Oakland, California), with her partner Berk, and their two cats.