Heliana Ramirez, PhD, LISW, RSW

I am an anti-racist and LGBTQ-Affirming trauma therapist who has worked with veterans, military servicemembers, and civilians for 20+ years. I help clients living with depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, grief, and Ambiguous Losses like Layoffs, Infertility, COVID-Cautious Life grief, and ICE-related stress and trauma.

As a Queer, Xicana of Mexican, Indigenous, Spanish, Irish, and Czech ancestry raised by a gay parent, I know the importance of culturally-responsive care that addresses the harm of oppression and stigma. I value harm reduction and liberatory practices of abolitionism that rejects state sanctioned violence like immigration raids by masked people in unmarked vehicles.

I am especially honored to serve People of Color, LGBTQIA2S people, people who are neurodiverse, and people of diverse religious and spiritual faiths.

I specialize in workplace trauma, racial trauma, sexual trauma, suicide prevention, family scapegoat abuse, and institutional betrayal like workplace mobbing whistleblower retaliation. I use neuroscience, clients’ culture, and evidence-based practices like Written Exposure Therapy and Motivational Interviewing for posttraumatic growth in a hostile world.

Abuse in families, schools, and workplaces, often disorients targets with gaslighting, a psychological control tactic. With enough harassment and isolation, anyone can develop a mental injury. Self-loathing and suicidal thoughts are normal reactions to abuse. I help clients reject abusive thoughts, develop self-defense strategies, and find self-acceptance.

Heliana Ramirez, PhD, LISW, RSW