Meet Jessica

Hi, my name is Jessica De Brun. I’m a board-certified and licensed Occupational Therapist, and I currently serve as an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, California.

I specialize in mental health and have worked with both children and adults in a variety of community-based settings — including transitional housing, domestic violence shelters, substance use recovery programs, schools, and regional centers. My clinical focus is helping people reconnect with meaningful daily activities, and I’m passionate about promoting occupational justice and inclusion in every setting I work in.

I’m certified in infant massage and trained as an advocate for survivors of intimate partner violence. I also love mentoring students and supporting underserved communities through evidence-based, trauma-informed care.

My research explores how motivation, cognition, and sensory processing affect people’s ability to participate in daily life. I’m actively involved in writing, presenting, and contributing to the growth of our profession.

I currently chair the Nominations Committee for the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC), and I co-chair the Practice, Ethics, and Reimbursement Mental and Behavioral Health Subcommittee, where I advocate for the advancement of occupational therapy in mental health settings across the state.