Dr. Jessica Pomerantz specializes in working therapeutically with individuals and couples, who have experienced complex relationship challenges and are looking for healing and change. Her expertise stems from extensive research in cyclical patterns of trauma and abuse within the fields of domestic violence and workplace violence. She obtained her PhD in Clinical-Community Psychology at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Pomerantz has also works wit the food & beverage community, as she has experience as a bartender and various managerial positions, resulting in over a decade of experience in a wide variety of restaurant and bar settings in New York City, Florida and South Carolina.

 

Dr. Pomerantz also earned a Master’s Degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2018, concentrating in intimate partner violence, coercion and power imbalances. Throughout her masters program, as she learned more about relational power imbalances, Jessica began to rewire the lens she understood the hospitality industry through. It slowly became more clear that the hospitality industry was home to so many struggling with mental health challenges due to the familiarity that many experienced as a mirror to their home life. As Jessica gained clinical experience providing mental health services, it was a no-brainer that she could greatly contribute to strengthening the community through her unique expertise. She has a developed a strong commitment to education, training, advocacy and research devoted to the mental health of hospitality workers and.

To date, Jessica has presented about mental health in the hospitality industry at Tales of the Cocktail, Heaven Hill Bartender of the Year Initiative, and Health Pour's yearly symposium. She has also provided sexual harassment training at Tales of the Cocktail and in various bar settings through OutSmartNYC.