Dr. Ben Ross is a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY32948) practicing individual and couple psychotherapy in Orange County, California. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where he graduated with the Outstanding Student Award: Excellence in Clinical Practice, and he received his M.A. in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, both graduate programs accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Prior to graduate school, Dr. Ross received a Bachelor of Music performance degree from the University of Arizona.
He completed an APA-accredited predoctoral psychology internship at California State University San Marcos, Student Health and Counseling Services, as well as a two-year postdoctoral psychoanalytic training fellowship at Rose City Center in Pasadena. Dr. Ross has had clinical experience working in community outpatient clinics like Jewish Federation and Family Services and Straight Talk Clinic. He has also received training in trauma treatment, psychodiagnostic assessment, and group psychotherapy.
Dr. Ross focuses on treating adults, older adults, and adolescents struggling with a range of difficulties including but not limited to various manifestations of anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, phase of life issues, relationship concerns, mood instability, individuation and identity formation concerns, panic, and personality disturbances. His other clinical interests include supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community, working with artists and creatives seeking support in optimizing their capacity for self-expression, treating musicians struggling with music performance anxiety, and supporting young adults as they forge their path in life.
Dr. Ross strives to foster a relational therapeutic environment in which his patients have an outlet to express parts of their mind that they have not yet put to words. Expression of these inner thoughts and feelings can facilitate relief from stress that can otherwise manifest in painful psychological and physiological symptoms. This process can make way for meaningful transformations to occur. Dr. Ross primarily practices with a psychoanalytically-oriented treatment approach, and he integrates existential, humanistic, and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches as well. He focuses on applying a multicultural lens to his work, paying close attention to the influence of his patients’ diverse backgrounds.
In 2020, Dr. Ross and his colleagues published research in the Journal of Personality and Individual Differences on the topic of psychodynamic and sociopolitical predictors of COVID distress and gravity. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and Orange County Psychological Association, and he has exhibited his original music performance anxiety research at the California Psychological Association and Orange County Psychological Association annual conventions.