JUM JIRAPAN, BORN IN 1978

Jum Jirapan is a Thai American artist, author, and creative wellness advocate whose work bridges art, mental health, belonging, and authentic living. Her work is rooted in the belief that creativity can foster healing, deepen human connection, and inspire people to live more authentically.

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Originally from Lampang, Thailand, Jum's journey has taken her across Asia, Europe, Australia, and the United States. Living, studying, and traveling across diverse cultures has profoundly shaped her understanding of identity, belonging, and what it truly means to feel at home. From sailing through Southeast Asia and pursuing graduate studies in Sydney to spending extended time in France and traveling throughout Europe and India, these experiences deepened her appreciation for both the beauty and complexity of human connection. Along the way, she discovered that home is not simply a place, but a sense of belonging that can be cultivated within ourselves and the communities we create. Today, she proudly calls Richmond, Virginia home, where she continues to build both her life and her vision.

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Jum is completing her Master of Science in Counseling and Art Therapy at Pennsylvania Western University, with graduation expected in August 2026. Following graduation, she plans to begin her post-graduate residency and pre-licensure training while pursuing licensure as a Professional Counselor and board credentialing as an Art Therapist. She also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, where she developed a deep appreciation for multiculturalism, language, and human connection. Together with her experiences living across cultures, this interdisciplinary foundation has shaped her humanistic, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based approach to supporting people from diverse cultures, languages, identities, and life experiences. She believes that creativity can transcend language and serve as a powerful pathway toward healing, self-understanding, resilience, belonging, and authentic living.

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As part of her graduate studies, Jum developed Burnout Before Licensure: A Reflective Self-Care Guide for AAPI Counseling and Art Therapy Trainees, an interactive guidebook that integrates creative reflection with culturally responsive self-care practices to support counseling and art therapy trainees before burnout occurs. The accompanying integrative literature review, currently being completed as her graduate capstone, explores self-care challenges among AAPI counseling and art therapy trainees and serves as the scholarly foundation for the guidebook. Together, the project reflects her commitment to promoting clinician wellbeing, advancing culturally responsive mental health practice, and supporting the next generation of helping professionals.

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At the heart of Jum's work is JIRÁVIE, her evolving vision centered on Art • Belonging • Authentic Living. More than a brand, JIRÁVIE is an evolving creative wellness ecosystem that brings together counseling, art therapy, expressive arts, workshops, writing, retreats, and community experiences. Through these interconnected offerings, JIRÁVIE creates environments where people can slow down, reconnect with themselves and others, discover their authentic voice, and build lives filled with meaning, connection, and purpose.

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Jum also founded Triple E Consulting, an organization built on the principles of Education, Emigration, and Empowerment. Through Triple E, she supports US4THAI (formerly known as USVISA4THAI.COM), a community dedicated to helping Thai immigrants and Thai Americans navigate life in the United States since 2005. This work reflects her longstanding commitment to empowering individuals and families as they build meaningful lives while honoring both their heritage and the futures they are creating.

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As an artist and writer, Jum explores themes of identity, memory, relationships, culture, healing, and the universal search for belonging. Her paintings, poetry, and written works invite reflection and conversation, encouraging audiences to connect with both their own stories and the shared human experience. She believes that art is not only something we create, but also a powerful language for healing, self-discovery, and transformation. Her work has been featured in CanvasRebel and Voyage San Antonio.

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Looking ahead, Jum envisions expanding JIRÁVIE through counseling and art therapy services, creative wellness experiences, immersive retreats, published works, and JIRÁVIE Galleria, a destination for art, creativity, and authentic living in her hometown of Lampang, Thailand. Designed as a place where art, nature, cultural exchange, and personal transformation come together, JIRÁVIE Galleria reflects her belief that creativity has the power to build belonging across cultures and generations.

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Across every endeavor, Jum's mission is to create spaces where people feel seen, experience a genuine sense of belonging, and are empowered to become their most authentic selves through art, meaningful relationships, and creative living.