Today we’d like to introduce you to Sh’ttera Ross.
Sh’ttera, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started in the field of Counseling and Psychology in undergrad on a mission to create human services and therapy accessibility for the lgbtqia+ community. In elementary school is where I was first introduced to mental health issues. I have encountered mental health instances in my own family in which impacted having to commit to adult tasks at such a young age. I raised my younger maternal siblings and started working at the age of 14 and 9 months to contribute to my household and my own social wellbeing. In ninth grade, I came out at as a lesbian to my family who wasn’t fully accepting of my sexuality and because of this I sought out mental health and fellowship services to cope. I struggled with finding supports that would back my identity as a lesbian from age 15. This inspired me approaching undergrad and I realized that my community had no supports and that there was a need for us. So, I studied Human Services and Counseling to get my bearings case management and therapeutic processing. I interned at The PRIDE Center of Maryland from 2017-2019 contributing to volunteer, outreach and service work to the lgbt community here in Baltimore. In my career of Human Service and Counseling, I have reached not only mental health but also behavioral health and substance abuse populations through my efforts to provide counseling to individuals. I also now contribute and work with high crisis driven and impaired clients with the application of behaviorism. Serving and applying such methods to community members tailors my mission to create human services and therapy accessibility for the lgbtqia+ population. While absorbing the mental makeup of the community, I am committed to becoming a licensed clinical professional counselor and clinical psychiatrist. Once I step into my doctoral clinical psychiatrist role, it is my action plan to put lgbtqia+ centers in our communities here in Maryland with the aspiration of expanding nationally. I also am driven to bringing awareness more closely to the sub-divisions of human service and prosperity for the lgbtqia+ population. There are alot of overlooked needs in our community for members that want to come out with their sexuality but feel like they can’t, therapeutic intervention for relationships or intimate feelings for the same sex or genders identified withing the lgbtqia+ members and LifeSkills. Coming out with your sexuality and having support to do so can result in improved mental health, maintain and establish strong relationships and sense of belonging. In LGBTQIA+, there isn’t accessible relationship skills offered in couples or marriage counseling. Current couples and marriage counseling include interventions tailored for heterosexual couples. LifeSkills in LGBTQIA+ would be advantageous to young LGBTQIA+ adults who may struggle with navigating adulthood and society with their sexuality. Alot of members suffer from not ever coming out to society or family members, failed romantic relationships/marriages and LifeSkills to steer everyday life. These are all items I consider as I continue to grow toward my vision of creating human services and psychology for LGBTQIA+ members. I also wish to leave a legacy to my loving daughter Nyna, whom I adore.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This has not been a smooth road, I have had to put myself through school while being a single mother. My college career consisted of me going to school all year around. For example, every year in undergrad I would go to school winter, spring, summer and fall. This method has helped me graduate sooner and I must say was less costly. In fact, I didn’t take out my first student loan until grad school.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I particularly specialize in making connections with any range of person. This is my gift in life, and I am able to use it both professionally and personally to thrive. Every person that I have helped can often describe a type of connection professionally through problem-solving and building working concepts. I have a high success rate when it comes to meeting the needs of my clients. Any personal connection that I have with others are everlasting and bountiful whether family, friend or relative.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
To the readers that have taken the time to read my story, thank you for taking the time to read about me and my passion for my community. To my LGBTQIA+ Community, I am coming out in due time…to be continued! I hope that this inspires you all and that this is an eye opener for anyone interested. To anyone struggling in the community, please know that you are always enough and to be strong, beautiful and proud! Be You!
I dedicate my interview to my grandmother Floresa “Jo-Jo” Ross, she would have been very proud that I am mirroring her footsteps thus far.
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tera-ross-b946081a5
