JOLEEN ROSS
LCSW, CADC I
My Approach
Within the therapeutic process, I offer encouragement and support as you explore all parts of yourself—both light and dark. I create a space that welcomes and honors every aspect of who you are.
While we don’t choose our biology, genetics, or early life circumstances, I believe with knowledge, compassion, and determination, we can align our lives more closely with our deepest values and goals.
Our work will be grounded in a deep respect for the worth of all human experiences. Together, we’ll confront difficult truths and celebrate your strengths.
The marginalization of identities has significant impact on mental and emotional health. I tailor proven and adaptive treatments to fit your unique experiences and needs.
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Understanding how you have come to have the problems you have allows a shift into acceptance and understanding - instead of blame and shame. This can bring more empowerment to choices.
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​I am experienced in:
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
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Cognitive Processing Therapy​ (CPT)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)
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Motivational Interviewing (MI)
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Mindfulness
I focus on building strengths, balancing acceptance and change.
Pain is built into the human condition. I appreciate helping people to find where they might be creating additional pain through rejection of what is and moving to a place of acceptance.
Acceptance is not a passive act and is an important part of any change process.
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I thrive when partnering with those fully committed to their growth, understanding that motivation ebbs and flows.
I respect the change process and acknowledge that even positive changes can be challenging as they involve loss and the unknown.​
Radical self-acceptance and mindfulness will be a key part of our work together. This entails cultivating the ability to turn towards what is happening without reaction or judgement. Sometimes problems resolve or shift by facing them and sitting with them. At other times, additional intentional changes need to be made.
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Let’s examine the behaviors that you are wanting to change in an in-depth way that allows you to see what you are learning and getting from that behavior. Every behavior has a function and it’s important to understand what that is in order to make meaningful, long-term changes.
Trauma In Focus
Trauma can be broadly defined as any painful experience that leaves a lasting harmful impact on our mental and emotional well-being or overwhelms our coping strategies. It can also be understood as any event where our own safety—or someone else's—is threatened.
No matter how we define it, trauma affects every part of our lives.
In therapy, we can explore how past trauma is influencing your relationships, your sense of self, and the choices you make. I’m here to support you to face the past in a way that allows you to process those experiences while living more fully in the present—and creating the future you want.
I am experienced in evidence-based practices including Prolonged Exposure Protocols, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These approaches are proven to treat PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms. I tailor these methods to best fit your unique needs and experiences.
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At the same time, a person does not need to resolve past trauma in order to live a life that is more present and in line with their current values and goals; this work can, and often does, happen simultaneously.