Jo Bempong, MS

Meet Jo

(they, them)

Jo Bempong is a compassionate Black Deaf queer non-binary student at Lamar University, where they are passionately pursuing a Master of Education degree in counseling. Despite having a strong technical background, Jo is nurturing their deep-seated passion for helping others through the remarkable gift of listening.

Emphasizing the importance of narrative therapy, Jo seeks to integrate it with cognitive behavioral therapy in their practice. They firmly believe this combination can provide clients within the Deaf/signing community with a richer, more holistic understanding of their unhelpful thought patterns. By exploring the personal narratives individuals share about their experiences, Jo hopes to help clients uncover meaningful insights—insights that are especially valuable in a world that often centers around the ability to hear.

Jo’s intersecting identities and fluency in various sign language methods, including American Sign Language (ASL), Pidgin Signed English (PSE), and Signed Exact English (SEE), empower them to connect with diverse signing individuals. Their commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all clients reflects their deep understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion—values Jo holds close to their heart, recognizing the unique experiences of each person they encounter.

In their personal life, Jo is a devoted parent to four beloved fur babies and shares a warm home with their partner in Texas. When not immersed in their studies or work, Jo finds joy in the simple pleasures of life: spending quality time with their cats, training their dogs, working on home projects, decorating, indulging in online shopping, and enjoying cozy naps.



Jo’s pronouns are they/them.