Philicia Ross, LMSW

I work out of a decolonized mindset, meaning I factor in how oppressive, racist, sexist and ageist people and systems affect your mental health. By utilizing EMDR, I can work with clients who have experienced mental, emotional, physical and relational trauma. Specifically, I collaborate with clients in using behavioral, psychoanalytic, psychodynamic and trauma-focused frameworks to focus on traumatic experiences, memories and reduce the emotional impact of the trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and OCD tendencies. This helps adult (18+ years old) clients decrease, resolve or eliminate negative responses to memories and impact related to trauma. This is a process focused on instilling hope. Meaning, you'll learn some ways to deal with stress, distress, triggers and anxiety related to trauma and related anxiety, depression, dissociation and more. You'll also break cognitive (and negative) associations resulting from trauma and develop more positive thought patterns and belief systems. You'll build a healthier relationship and awareness of your body and be better attuned to how trauma has affected your attunement to yourself. 

 

I also utilize other modalities that combine imagery, mindfulness, spirituality, and cognitive techniques in a structured treatment plan designed to meet each client’s specific treatment needs. I provide trauma counseling and assess, diagnose and treat anxiety, depression, and difficult life transitions complicated by grief and/or early childhood trauma. Together we work through shame, guilt, family conflict/intergenerational trauma, sexual, emotional and physical abuse, parental neglect or abandonment that causes flashbacks, avoidance patterns, hypervigilance, mistrust, intrusive thoughts, fear and more. I am a voracious learner so adding new modalities to my toolbox is always at the forefront of my mind. Empowering others to take the essential steps can lead to incredible and powerful results. 

​

I work from a person-centered and relational approach. I note how relationships, especially those you have with yourself, affect how you move in your world. I also utilize a trauma-informed perspective to recognize how things of the past may inform you in the present. Lastly, I work from a culturally competent stance, where I acknowledge the whole of your identity, and the ways you intersect with the world around you. What has happened to you and systems that have added to that are important to unpack. The best impact I can make? Is for a person to feel like they can take up space as they want to and to walk through their life in total wellness. 

​

Adult clients with trauma experiences learn to un-anchor from unhealthy patterns and thrive through our therapeutic work. They create stronger bonds with themselves and their environments. A descendant of a long line of physical healers, there was an aspect to overall wellbeing that I noticed was often absent from the conversation, mental health. Upon further research, I discovered that resources were not readily available for mental health in my community as a teenager. Thus, my purpose emerged.

​

In 2015, I graduated from Washington Adventist University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology, then went on to graduate from Simmons Universities Masters of Clinical Social Work Program in 2019. Within that time, I served homeless youth, individuals in intensive outpatient settings, and adults in crisis centers. I provide clinical diagnosis, treatment and assessment under clinical supervision to ensure my clients receive the appropriate level of care. I am certified by both the Maryland Virginia Board of Social Workers to provide mental health diagnosis, assessment and treatment under supervision.

​

​

​