We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Ross, LPC-S and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, what do you want people to remember about you?
I aspire to amplify the voices of people experiencing mental health struggles. To build communities where it is safe to ask for and offer support and encouragement is my life’s mission. I strive to build a legacy of people who embrace their authenticity and offer their vulnerability through open expression of emotions. My deepest desire is that I foster in others the desire to build connected, supportive communities and through doing this learn that it is the penultimate way to heal individual struggles.

When people think of me, I hope they are reminded of the curiosity they had as young children, that they practice finding wonder in things others consider ordinary, that they experience my enthusiasm for learning about other cultures to be contagious, and that my excitement for trying new things ignites in them the courage to explore new experiences.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
With over two decades of clinical experience and a profound understanding of the ways sociology and psychology intersect, Emily continuously strives to leverage this knowledge to amplify the voices of mental health struggles. Through participation in community events and advocacy efforts Emily seeks to connect to the community through work and leisure activities. She states, “you need to know the pulse of the city if you are going to help the individuals living there heal.”

Emily has dedicated her life to helping souls heal-through her work as a Licensed Professional Counselor and in service on multiple committees and boards. Her goal is consistent in these various roles; to normalize mental health struggles, connect people to available resources, and highlight gaps in services.

Most recently she has turned her focus to providing workshops to business leaders on the import role of Workforce Mental health. She facilitates several signature programs including Mitigating Burnout, Employee Wellness & Organizational Health, Leveraging Copany Culture, & Why Workforce Mental Health Matters. Described as a “dynamic speaker,” Emily creates interactive seminars where audience participation fuels experiential learning.

Emily also offers free mental health content on Facebook and has developed educational videos on YouTube. In all forums Emily strives to help individuals connect to the healing power of community by offering safe spaces to ask for, and offer, encouragement and support.

No matter how busy I stay professionally I make time to stay connected to my community. After work and on weekends you will find me exploring the beautiful trails in Beaumont, attending events, and volunteering to help. I love this city and I hope it shows in my words and actions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Beaumont is located in the Southeast part of Texas along the border to Louisiana and near the Gulf of Mexico. As our visitor’s page states we boast, “a spicy blend of cultures, a vibrant art community, plenty of outdoor opportunities, as well as museums, and historic sights.” I am madly in love with my city because of all these things and the amazing sense of community found here.

Cattail Marsh is the perfect place for a morning stroll while the sun rises, and nature is waking up. We would undoubtedly bump into some locals who would be friendly and enthusiastic in sharing any upcoming activities. After taking in the views from the Wetlands Education Center balcony, we would make our way to SuperAntojo de Hidalgo bakery to enjoy an authentic Mexican pastry. We would enjoy the wonderful and personal service with a distinctive small-town feel. Since we would already be on Calder Avenue, I’d use the opportunity to show off some of the city’s newest murals by artists Lauren YS, Nychos, Sofles (999 Calder), Floyd Mendoza III (900 Calder), and Haley Spradlin (4230 Calder).

The fun would continue by renting our city’s ‘Beaucycles’ for a museum crawl. We could explore The Fire Musuem of Texas, The Art Musuem of SETX, and the Texas Energy Musuem all within a short bike ride form one another. We could round out the afternoon with a leisurely lunch at Katherine & Company in the historic Mildred Building. In the evening, we would catch a Classic Movie Night in the historic Jefferson Theater. Built in 1927 the old Spanish style building boasts a 3-manual, 8-rank Robert Morgan organ. No trip would be complete without a sampling of our Cajun cuisine. From Crazy Cajun, to Judice’s 1927 – the seafood of the gulf coast is second to none,

Our city is known for being “Texas friendly, Bayou fun.” And we absolutely live up to this reputation. There is always so much to do in Beaumont. So, depending on what time of year my guest is visiting- we would enjoy Mardi Gras of SETX, Taste of the Triangle, Muralfest, SETX State Fair and Rodeo, Viva La Beaumont, Oktoberfest, or Musuem Madness, In between events we could explore the rich history of our region. Some of my personal favorites are, Spindletop Gladys City/Boomtown Museum, McFaddin-Ward House, the Chambers House, W.H. Stark House, John Jay French Musuem, and the Babe Didrickson Zaharias Musuem.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
April Tolbert was first introduced to me through a formal mentorship program offered through the Greater Beaumont Chamber Foundation. She is well known in our community as a successful business owner as well as active in the community. To say that April profoundly changed the course of my life would be an understatement. April shared her experience, knowledge, and time with me while modeling how to love at a community level. I already had passion and drive.
April connected me to my purpose.
While our formal mentor relationship ended almost a year ago, our friendship will last a lifetime. She is the epitome of servant leadership and personifies love for community. I am so grateful for her influence in my life.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily_ross_lpc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyRossLPC

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@emilyrosslpc

Other: Link Tree https://linktr.ee/EmilyRossLPC?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=881e15a0-76f7-4ee5-9d92-7ab6756cacfc

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