Speaker Profile
Ross Ellenhorn

Ross Ellenhorn PhD, LICSW

Psychotherapy, Social Worker Clinical
Arlington, Massachusetts, United States of America

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Trained as a sociologist, psychotherapist, and social worker, he created the first fully-operating intensive hospital diversion and wrap‑around program in Massachusetts. Dr. Ellenhorn later created and led one of the first public Programs for Assertive Community Treatment teams in the state.

Dr. Ellenhorn has authored two books on human behavior. Parasuicidality and Paradox: Breaking Through the Medical Model addresses psychiatric hospital recidivism and techniques for diverting hospital use. It was published by Springer Publishing in 2007. His most recent book, How We Change (and the Ten Reasons Why We Don’t), takes a deep dive into the dynamics that influence all human change. Published by Harper Collins, and in seven different languages, How We Change was released in May of 2020. He has authored numerous articles, gives talks and seminars throughout the country, and provides consultation to mental health agencies, psychiatric hospitals, and addiction programs.

Dr. Ellenhorn is the founder of the Shifting The Paradigm conferences, a bi‑annual series that addresses humanistic and empowering changes in behavioral healthcare; and is the co‑founder and president of the Association for Community Integration Programs (A4CIP), a professional association representing and promoting programs dedicated to empowering clients who are receiving services while living and participating in their community. His is the executive producer of the film, Recovering Addiction: A Public Health Rescue Mission, a documentary on new, less‑oppressive means for understanding problematic substance use and other distressing habits.

Dr. Ellenhorn is the first person to receive a joint Ph.D. from Brandeis University’s prestigious Florence Heller School for Social Welfare Policy and Management and the Department of Sociology.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES (Speaking, Spoken, and Authored)