Today we’d like to introduce you to Guan Ellerbe

Guan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

My journey to where I am today began in my childhood. I am a third-generation project kid, following in the footsteps of my mother and grandmother. I grew up in the Mission Hill Project, located in the Roxbury section of Massachusetts, as the oldest of five children in a large family. Navigating my adolescence in the 1980s and 1990s was particularly challenging. I experienced environmental, systemic, domestic, sexual, historical, and generational trauma. During this time, my community was grappling with the devastating impacts of the crack/cocaine and heroin epidemics, HIV/AIDS, and street violence. Despite living through these experiences, I didn’t recognize them as traumatic until much later in life.

I was also a sickly child, suffering from chronic asthma that frequently required hospitalization—often at least twice a year. Fortunately, we lived near some of the leading hospitals in Massachusetts. Through my medical experiences, and witnessing the care provided to family and friends, I was introduced to the field of social work. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the significance of their roles, but I vividly remember the sense of comfort and security their presence brought. I wanted to provide that same feeling to other children. However, college and professional success seemed like an unattainable dream, as I lacked exposure to individuals who had achieved those milestones.

As I transitioned into young adulthood, I faced significant academic challenges and ultimately dropped out of high school in the 10th grade. After having children, I earned my high school diploma and discovered a program for individuals receiving TAFDC benefits who aspired to further their education. I seized the opportunity and enrolled in the CHOICES program at Massasoit Community College, which supported older adults in earning an associate degree. Through this program, and with the support of a scholarship from One Family Scholars, I achieved an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts Studies and later a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. I eventually went on to earn a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and by December 2024, I will complete my PsyD in Organizational Leadership.

In 2016, I obtained my license in social work, and in 2019, I earned my license in mental health counseling. It was during this time that I decided to launch my private practice, Leading Light Behavioral Health. My professional journey has not been without obstacles. I encountered microaggressions, discrimination, wrongful termination, and numerous barriers to growth and development. Yet, I was fortunate to have had the guidance of exceptional supervisors and the support of friends who mentored me along the way.

In 2019, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I made the decision to fully commit to my practice. After years of enduring roadblocks, microaggressions, and micromanagement from supervisors and colleagues, I chose to step away from organizational employment and work for myself full-time. This was the beginning of a new chapter in my career—one rooted in resilience, determination, and the drive to create meaningful change in my community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

It has not been a smooth road. In fact, I continue to encounter challenges, but I view them as growing pains that have shaped my resilience and determination. Navigating my career has often been fraught with obstacles, particularly stemming from workplace dynamics and discrimination.

One of my earliest and most impactful experiences with discrimination occurred after I graduated with my undergraduate degree. I was hired as the director of a new program for an agency serving new parents. As the only Black woman in the organization, I often felt excluded and isolated by my peers. There was a noticeable camaraderie among a group of employees who had grown up and gone to school together, which left me feeling like an outsider. Despite raising my concerns with my supervisor about how I was being treated, little was done to address the issue.

Ultimately, I was blindsided when I was called into the office and terminated. It wasn’t just the termination itself that hurt—it was the lies used to justify their decision. This was my first encounter with the “angry Black woman” stereotype, and it was devastating. I was told that my colleagues found me unapproachable, angry, and aggressive, and some even claimed they feared I might harm them if they approached me. These accusations were not only unfounded but deeply painful, as they reduced me to a harmful stereotype rather than seeing me for who I was.

In another instance, I was assigned to share an office with a woman who had been with the agency for many years and was close to our supervisor. I was once again the only Black woman in the department and frequently felt singled out and alienated. My supervisor regularly called meetings to write me up for issues supposedly reported by my officemate. Over time, it became clear to me that these write-ups were part of a broader pattern of bias. When I requested a transfer to another department to escape this hostile environment, I was denied on the grounds that I had too many write-ups—ironically, the very ones that had been unfairly imposed on me.

These experiences were not only demoralizing but also opened my eyes to the systemic barriers that exist in many workplaces. They forced me to develop a thicker skin and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by women of color in professional spaces. While these struggles were painful, they also fueled my drive to create a more inclusive and equitable environment through my own practice.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

At Leading Light, our mission is to empower and uplift disenfranchised communities in Massachusetts by fostering self-determination and resilience. We create a supportive and innovative environment where individuals can develop strategies that lead to meaningful, positive, and healthy outcomes. Our approach is client-centered, with a focus on providing culturally competent care tailored to the unique needs of marginalized populations.

Since launching our practice in 2019, we have proudly served over 1,500 clients, with 86% identifying as Black or African American and 71% as women. A significant majority of our clients seek individual treatment, with the top presenting concerns being anxiety, depression, and trauma. Notably, more than half of our clients have a history of trauma, which informs our commitment to providing trauma-informed care. We are also deeply honored to serve clients on Medicaid, ensuring that access to quality mental health care is not limited by financial barriers.

What sets us apart is our dedication to being a teaching practice. We are passionate about shaping the next generation of wellness clinicians by providing opportunities for learning, mentorship, and professional growth. Our aspiration is to inspire and support future practitioners, and we are currently working toward developing a scholarship program to further this mission.

In addition to clinical services, I have developed a line of mental self-help resources to support personal and professional growth. These include workbooks, affirmation cards, a coloring book, journals, planners, and a supervision notebook for clinicians. These products, designed to empower individuals and inspire change, are available on Amazon by searching my name or by contacting me directly at guan@llbhinc.com. The collection includes:
• My Reemergence Journal: A Guide to Overcoming Depression
• The Anxiety Workbook: Inspire the Aspired
• Adult Coloring Planner
• Clinical Supervision Notebook: Inspire the Aspired
• Design Your Career Guided Journal: Inspire the Aspired
• My Personal Planner
• Path to Positive Coping Skills Cards
• Inspire the Aspired Affirmation Cards

Brand-wise, we are most proud of our unwavering commitment to accountability, integrity, and growth. We want readers to know that Leading Light is a diverse, inclusive, and empowering practice that prioritizes the well-being of our clients and the development of our team. Our services include individual counseling, couples therapy, child and adolescent therapy, and evaluations for mental health, substance use, anger management, gender affirmation, and more. We also offer expressive arts therapies, including dance movement therapy, and we specialize in working with marginalized communities.

At Leading Light, we strive to be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change, providing care, resources, and tools that truly make a difference.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?

I owe so much of my success and the success of Leading Light to a host of incredible people who have supported me along the way. First and foremost, I honor my late mother, who was my constant motivator and the beacon of hope I hold onto during difficult times. Her resilience and encouragement continue to inspire me.

My husband, children, and siblings have been my anchor, keeping me grounded and providing unwavering support through every challenge. Their belief in me and in the vision of Leading Light has been instrumental in pushing me forward.

I also credit the dedicated staff and students at Leading Light, as well as the local institutions that partner with us and trust us with their students. These partnerships and the commitment of my team have been pivotal to our growth and impact. Their loyalty and love for Leading Light fuel our ability to make a difference in the lives of our clients.

Most importantly, I owe everything to the clients who trust us with their personal stories. It takes tremendous courage and faith to allow someone to walk with you on your journey of healing and growth, and I am deeply honored to have earned that trust. Their willingness to be vulnerable and invest in themselves is at the heart of everything we do, and they are, without a doubt, the driving force behind our success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://MyLeadingLight.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llbh_llc
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/LLBHCounseling
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/llbh
• Youtube: @GuanEllerbeLMHC
• Other: https://youtu.be/xBMQrmpDEwQ?si=34tkgzOdFT7_0B10

Image Credits

These photos were taken by 5 Star Media, by friends and family.