A reflective journey on redefining failure, embracing pivots, and finding gratitude in the present moment. Discover how shifting perspective transforms setbacks into growth opportunities and leads to meaningful personal development.
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Influential Woman · Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services
Venise Russ, LCSW
Behavioral Health Consultant, Neighborhood Healthcare
Corona, CA
2Years experience
1Article published
2Awards received
Her Story
About Venise
Venise Russ is a seasoned mental health professional and transformative leader with over 20 years of experience in clinical social work and behavioral health. She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2002 after completing her undergraduate studies in Psychology and Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley. Her early interest in helping others began in high school as a peer counselor, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to supporting individuals during moments of vulnerability and crisis.
Throughout her career, Venise has held both frontline clinical and senior executive leadership roles across major healthcare and public behavioral health systems. She has served in key positions including Clinical Social Work Chief for Los Angeles County, Regional Administrator for the Riverside County Department of Behavioral Health, and Program Administrator within the Telecare Corporation system. She currently serves as a Behavioral Health Consultant at Neighborhood Healthcare, where she provides high-volume clinical care including individual therapy, couples counseling, trauma treatment, and EMDR-based interventions. She also provides clinical supervision for associates in private practice and consultative services across telehealth platforms and integrated care settings.
Venise’s professional philosophy is grounded in trauma-informed care, ethical practice, and transformational leadership. She is EMDR-trained and specializes in trauma recovery, couples therapy, and complex mental health treatment, with a strong emphasis on empathy, accountability, and patient empowerment. She is also deeply committed to staff wellness, supervision, and fostering environments where clinicians can thrive while delivering high-quality care. As she continues to expand her clinical and leadership impact, she is preparing to launch her own private practice focused on personalized, evidence-based, and compassionate mental health services.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Venise
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to strong listening skills and my ability to quickly build rapport with clients. I also draw on my long-standing passion for social work and my commitment to connecting with and serving clients in a meaningful and consistent way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most meaningful pieces of career advice I’ve ever received came from my mother, who always reminded me to maintain my independence and live each day with purpose. That guidance taught me the importance of building a life grounded in self-reliance, personal responsibility, and meaningful contribution, rather than allowing circumstances or others to define my path. Throughout my career, I’ve carried this with me by striving to lead with integrity, stay true to my values, and dedicate my work to helping others heal, grow, and discover their own purpose.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to prioritize self-care and actively prevent burnout. Set clear boundaries, avoid carrying work home emotionally, take regular breaks, and ensure you are properly compensated for any overtime. It’s also important to identify your niche early and stay focused on it, rather than spreading yourself too thin across too many roles or responsibilities.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe the mental health field offers strong opportunities for women to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact, especially as awareness of behavioral health continues to grow. At the same time, challenges such as burnout, workplace ethics, and maintaining work-life balance remain important concerns. I am passionate about encouraging strong boundaries, self-care, and fair compensation, and I remain optimistic that women who lead with integrity and compassion will continue to transform the field while improving systems for both providers and clients.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family, integrity, ethical conduct, empathy, compassion, accountability, and service form the foundation of my life and work. I have always been someone others naturally turn to for guidance and support, which ultimately led me toward a career in psychotherapy. My experiences have reinforced the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and maintaining balance while serving others. I am deeply committed to helping individuals find hope and healing, particularly those who have experienced trauma, adversity, or significant life challenges, and as I prepare to open my own practice, I remain focused on building a sustainable path that supports both client care and personal well-being.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Venise
Redefining Failure
Redefining Failure: How Pivoting and Gratitude Transformed My Career Journey
I have learned how to change my outlook on what constitutes failure. My career has taken so many twists, turns and unexpected detours. They have been painful, bewildering and uncomfortable.
At times, I have felt like a failure because I did not reach my targeted goal. At times I have been extremely disappointed in finding myself in a place where I did not expect to be. However, I have learned that falling short doesn't mean that you necessarily lose. Sometimes it means that you pivot, adjust and obtain a new perspective.
I have learned not to have any regrets. I have learned to reflect on back on choices and decisions I made trusting the character and judgment I had back then. I have learned that the values and ethics I have now continue to help guide and direct me into the spaces I want to be.
One big lesson for me is to not complain. Complaining puts you in such a negative mindset. Once I stopped complaining I was able to have gratitude and appreciate the treasure of where I am planted now.
I always want to bloom where I am planted. At times, I have been so ready for the next promotion, the next opportunity, the next role, but I have learned to appreciate how to be engaged in the present. I want to learn in the place I am now so I can glean whatever I need for the next destination.
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