Faculty Profiles

Dr. Yoo is interested in studying family relationships from a system's perspective. She is also interested in applying her research findings to clinical settings to enhance distressed families’ well-being. Utilizing the scientist-practitioner model, she has conducted several research projects regarding couple relationships, parent-child relationships, and the effects of therapeutic alliance on treatment outcomes. It is somewhat difficult to identify her hobbies (unless daydreaming counts). However, what she definitely enjoys is attending national/international conferences – presenting her research and hanging out with her friends in academia.

The Ohio State University
Ph.D., Human Development and Family Science (emphasis in Couple and Family Therapy)

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
M.A., Marriage and Family Counseling

Chongshin University
B.A., Theology

 

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist  
Illinois, #166.001041

Approved Supervisor
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist  
Illinois, #166.001041

Approved Supervisor
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

• Diversity and Social Justice Issues in Clinical Supervision
• Child Abuse/Maltreatment
• Family Systems Theories
• Couple Relationships
• Intimacy
• Family-of-Origin Issues & Intergenerational Transmission

Dr. Yoo’s research interests include relationship issues in families involved in child welfare system, and the quality of counseling/therapy services provided to these families. She is currently collecting data for two research projects that involve interviewing parents with allegations of child abuse/maltreatment and mental health service providers working with child welfare cases.

Peer-Reviewed Article

Yoo, H., Johnson, L., Wagner, K. N., & Cherry, K. (in press). The associations between adverse childhood experiences, shared religious/spiritual practices, and relationship satisfaction in couple therapy: Sessions 1 through 6. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. Advance online publication.

Yoo, H., Racorean, S., & Smith, W. (2023). Mental health clinicians’ reflections on working with child welfare cases: Challenges and suggestions. Social Work in Mental Health, 21(6), 676-700.

Yoo, H., Racorean, S., & Barrows, V. (2022). “They’re not bad parents. They’ve just made bad choices.”: Mental health clinicians’ perspectives of parents involved with child protective services. Qualitative Social Work, 21(1), 53-70.

Mendez, P., Rueger, S., Yoo, H., & Garcia, M. (2021). Uniendo familias Latinas: Testing the spillover hypothesis with Latino mothers and fathers. The Family Journal, 29(4), 434-441.

Johnson, J., Van Dyke, D. J., & Yoo, H. (2021). Faith integration in marriage and family therapy education: A Delphi study of the learning experiences of students enrolled in Christian-faith based MFT graduate programs. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 49(1), 22-37.

Yoo, H., Racorean, S., & Barrows, V. (2020). Psychotherapy for child welfare cases: Clinicians’ and parents’ perspectives. Child & Family Social Work, 25(4), 775-784.

Schultz, T., Yoo, H., Baraka, M. K., & Watson, T. (2020). Does this apply here?: Ethical considerations in transnational supervision settings. Ethics & Behavior. Advance online publication.

Yoo, H., & Abiera, K. (2020). Stories less told: Parenting strengths and family-of-origin experiences amongst parents involved with child protective services. British Journal of Social Work, 50(1), 119-136.

Yoo, H., & Abiera, K. (2020). “My kids, they safe.”: Lived experiences of parents receiving child neglect allegations. Child & Youth Services, 41(2), 137-159.

Schultz, T., Baraka, M. K., Watson, T., & Yoo, H. (2020). How do ethics translate? Identifying ethical challenges in transnational supervision settings. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 42(3), 234-248.

Yoo, H., Bartle-Haring, S., & Gangamma, R. (2016). Predicting premature termination with alliance at sessions 1 and 3: An exploratory study. Journal of Family Therapy, 38(1), 5-17.

Yoo, H., Bartle-Haring, S., Day, R., & Gangamma, R. (2014). Couple communication, emotional and sexual intimacy, and relationship satisfaction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 40(4), 275-293.

Yoo, H., Feng, X., & Day, R. (2013). Adolescents’ empathy and prosocial behavior in the family context: A longitudinal study. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 42(12), 1858-1872.

Book Review

Yoo, H. (2019). The science of couples and family therapy: Behind the scenes at the Love Lab [Review of the book The science of couples and family therapy: Behind the scenes at the Love Lab, by J. M. Gottman & J. S. Gottman]. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 45(1), 186-187.

Peer-Reviewed Presentation

Yoo, H., & Johnson, L. (June 2024). The role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and religious/spiritual involvement in relationship satisfaction among distressed couples seeking therapy: Sessions 1 through 6. Paper presentation at the Society for Psychotherapy Research annual meeting, Ottawa, Canada.

*Mendez, P., Rueger, S., Yoo, H., Garcia, M., & Pierick, T. (August 2020). Uniendo familias Latinas: Testing the spillover hypothesis with Latino mothers and fathers. Poster presentation at the American Psychological Association annual convention.

Baraka, M., Schultz, T., & Yoo, H. (March 2020). Does this apply here? Ethical considerations in transnational supervision. Poster presentation accepted at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies annual conference. Atlanta, GA, USA.

Watson, T., Kiteki, B., & Yoo, H. (March 2019). Fostering Ethical Practice through Clinical Supervision: Emerging Trends in Psychology, Counseling, and Marriage and Family Therapy. Presentation at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies annual conference. Dallas, TX, USA.

Yoo, H., & Abiera, K. (November 2018). “My Kids, They Safe.”: Parents’ Perceptions of Child Neglect Allegations. Research poster presentation at the National Council on Family Relations annual conference. San Diego, CA, USA.

Lee, J., McGuire, M., & Yoo, H. (April 2018). The Relationship between Spiritual Maturity and Marital Commitment among Korean Immigrants with Christian Faith. Research poster presentation at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies annual conference. Norfolk, VA, USA.

Yoo, H., & Abiera, K. (April 2018). Perceptions of DCFS-Involved Parents: Clinical Implications for Therapists. Workshop presentation at the Illinois Affiliation of Marriage and Family Therapists annual conference. Naperville, IL, USA.

Watson, T., Kiteki, B., & Yoo, H. (March 2017). Fostering Diversity Competence and Advocacy Skills in Clinical Supervision. Presentation at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies annual conference. Chicago, IL, USA.

Yoo, H., & Chung, S. (March 2016). Practical Application of Art Therapy for Families in Treatment. Workshop presentation at the Illinois Association for Marriage and Family Therapy annual conference. Naperville, IL, USA.

Chung, K., & Yoo, H. (March 2016). Immigrants and Refugees: Mental Health, Cultural Integration, and Empowerment. Workshop presentation at the Illinois Association for Marriage and Family Therapy annual conference. Naperville, IL, USA.

Shannon, S., Bartle-Haring, S., Yoo, H. (September 2015). Variance in Couple Differentiation: Satisfaction and Status. Research poster presentation at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy annual conference. Austin, TX, USA.

Yoo, H., Solorzano, C., & Shim, C. (November 2014). Enhancing Couple Intimacy in the Early Phase of Therapy: First 3 Sessions. Research poster presentation at the National Council on Family Relations annual conference. Baltimore, MD, USA.

Solorzano, C., Shim, C., Cooper, T., Gulasekharam, T., & Yoo, H. (October 2014). Immigrant Families: Gaps in MFT Research and Practice. Research poster presentation at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy annual conference. Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Patton, R., Luo, Y., Katafiasz, H., Fisher, U., & Yoo, H. (October 2014). Substance Use and Intimate Partner Violence among Adolescent Immigrant Mothers. Research poster presentation at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy annual conference. Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Luo, Y., Patton, R., Fisher, U., Smith, S., & Yoo, H. (October 2014). Cultural Activity Awareness and Substance Use among International Adoptees. Research poster presentation at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy annual conference. Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Yoo, H., & Feng, X. (July 2014). Children’s Social Competence as the Outcome of Couple Intimacy and Parent-Child Closeness. Research poster presentation at the 23rd International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development biennial meeting. Shanghai, China.

Yoo, H. (November 2013). Couple Intimacy and Relationship Satisfaction: A Comparison Study. Research paper presentation at the 75th National Council on Family Relations annual conference. San Antonio, TX, USA.

Pratt, K., Yoo, H., Lamson, A., Craven, J., & Cai, Y. (November 2013). The Self-Reported Strengths and Concerns of Diabetic Youths and Their Caregivers: A Qualitative Study. Research paper presentation at the 75th National Council on Family Relations annual conference. San Antonio, TX, USA.

Yoo, H., & Bartle-Haring, S. (October 2013). Couples’ Emotional and Sexual Intimacy in Long-term Marriages. Research poster presentation at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy annual conference. Portland, OR, USA.

Yoo, H., & Feng, X. (April 2013). Children’s Social Competence as the Outcome of Interdependence among Family Subsystems. Research paper presentation at the Society for Research in Child Development biennial meeting. Seattle, WA, USA.

Yoo, H., & Snyder, A. (November 2012). Couple Intimacy and Relationship Satisfaction in Long-term Marriages: A Longitudinal Study. Research paper presentation at the 74th National Council on Family Relations annual conference. Phoenix, AZ, USA.

Yoo, H., & Bartle-Haring, S. (November 2012). Between-Partner Agreement on Intimacy and Relationship Satisfaction. Research poster presentation at the 74th National Council on Family Relations annual conference. Phoenix, AZ, USA.

Gangamma, R., Bartle-Haring, S., Yoo, H., Ponappa, S., Holowacz, E., & Lotspeich-Younkin, F. (September 2012). Locus of Control, Differentiation and Therapeutic Alliance. Research poster presentation at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy annual conference. Charlotte, NC, USA.

Yoo, H., Schoppe-Sullivan, S., Kamp Dush, C., & Kotila, L. (April 2012). Couple relationships, Coparenting, and Parental Involvement. Research poster workshop at the 13th the World Association for Infant Mental Health. Cape Town, South Africa.

Yoo, H. (March 2012). Differentiation of Self and Emotional Intimacy in Marital Relationships. Research poster presentation at the 20th International Family Therapy Association conference. Vancouver, Canada.

Yoo, H., Feng, X., & Day, R. (March 2012). Mediating Effect of Perceived Closeness to Parents in the Relation between Parenting and Adolescent Empathy and Prosocial Behavior. Research poster presentation at the 14th the Society for Research on Adolescence biennial conference. Vancouver, Canada.

Yoo, H., Bartle-Haring, S., Gangamma, R., Lotspeich, F., Patton, R., & Day, R. (November 2011). Mediating Influences of Emotional and Physical Intimacy on the Association between Communication and Relationship Satisfaction. Research poster presentation at the 73rd National Council on Family Relations annual conference. Orlando, FL, USA.

Patton, R., Younkin, F., Bartle-Haring, S., Katafiasz, H., Yoo, H., & Gangamma, R. (November 2011). High School Sweethearts Beware: Does Early Marriage Predict Marital Instability? Research poster presentation at the 73rd National Council on Family Relations annual conference. Orlando, FL, USA.

 

Invited Presentation

Yoo, H. (March 2018). Sexuality in Couple Relationship. Invited presentation at the Central and Eastern Europe Mental Health Advisory Group Conference. Prague, Czech Republic.

Yoo, H. (March 2017). Premarital Counseling and Relationship Education for Couples. Invited presentation at the Central and Eastern Europe Mental Health Advisory Group Conference. Prague, Czech Republic.

• MAFT 618: Family Therapy Research & Implications for Evidence-Based Practice
• MAFT 624: MFT Ethics and Professional Practice
• MAFT 633: Couple Therapy
• MAFT 634: Marriage and Family Therapy I: Theoretical Foundations
• MAFT 635: Marriage and Family Therapy II: Assessment & Intervention
• MAFT 637: Families in Context
• MAFT 671-674: Personal and Professional Development Group
• MAFT 681-682: Clinical Pre-Practicum
• MAFT 684-685: Clinical Practicum

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT): Clinical Fellow, Approved Supervisor

Illinois Association for Marriage and Family Therapy