LMFT, 5 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, I’m Shay Ross, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California with over five years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families. At the heart of my work is cultural humility — a deep commitment to honoring each person’s unique background, values, and lived experience. This perspective has allowed me to connect with people from many different walks of life and to create an affirming space for healing and growth. I have had the privilege of working with clients facing a wide range of challenges, including depression and anxiety, suicidal ideation, substance use, relationship issues, cultural and racial identity exploration, and questions related to sexual orientation and gender identity. My goal is to meet each person with empathy, respect, and curiosity to help them uncover their strengths and move toward a more fulfilling and authentic life.
The first session of therapy can feel intimidating, and it’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous or unsure about what to expect. During our initial meeting, we’ll take the time to get to know each other. I’ll invite you to share what brings you to therapy and explore how I can best support you. You’re also welcome to ask any questions you might have. I want you to feel comfortable, safe, and genuinely welcomed in our space together.
My counseling style is warm, collaborative, and deeply respectful. I believe in treating every person with compassion, sensitivity, and genuine care—and I don’t believe in stigmatizing labels. My therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and a range of other client-centered modalities. Together, we’ll explore your unique story, identify strengths, and work toward meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you.
I’m here to support individuals who are navigating depression, anxiety, personality disorders, substance use challenges, or the lasting impact of trauma and abuse. I also welcome anyone who simply needs a safe and nonjudgmental space to explore personal growth and positive change.
In our work together, we’ll use Narrative Therapy, a compassionate and collaborative approach that helps you explore and reshape the stories you tell about your life, your challenges, and your identity. Rather than viewing anxiety, depression, or trauma as something wrong within you, Narrative Therapy sees these as experiences that have developed within certain life contexts — and as stories that can be rewritten.