Venise Russ brings trauma-informed leadership to behavioral health

Venise Russ, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Behavioral Health Consultant in Menifee, is highlighted for 24 years of experience in trauma-informed care, clinical supervision, and healthcare leadership. She is preparing to launch a private practice focused on evidence-based mental health services and sustainable care.

Why it matters: - Venise Russ represents a growing need in behavioral health for leaders who combine clinical expertise, supervision, and workforce wellness. - Her work centers on trauma recovery, patient empowerment, and better support for clinicians facing burnout and ethical strain. - Russ is preparing to open a private practice, which could expand access to personalized mental health care in her community.

What happened: - Influential Women highlighted Russ on October 5, 2026, for her leadership in behavioral health and psychotherapy. - Russ is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Behavioral Health Consultant based in Menifee, California. - Russ currently works at Neighborhood Healthcare, where she provides individual therapy, couples counseling, trauma treatment, and EMDR-based interventions. - Russ also provides clinical supervision for associates in private practice and consultative services across telehealth platforms and integrated care settings.

The details: - Russ has 24 years of experience in clinical social work and behavioral health. - Russ earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2002. - Russ completed undergraduate studies in Psychology and Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley. - Russ began her path in behavioral health as a peer counselor in high school. - Russ has held leadership roles including Clinical Social Work Chief for Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Regional Administrator for the Riverside County Department of Behavioral Health, and Program Administrator within the Telecare Corporation system. - Russ is an EMDR-certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Psychotherapist. - Russ focuses on trauma recovery, couples therapy, and complex mental health treatment. - Russ emphasizes empathy, accountability, listening, and relationship-building in her clinical work. - Russ credits her parents with shaping her values around independence, purpose, self-reliance, and integrity. - Russ advises younger women to pursue work that brings purpose, invest in education and certifications, build networks, speak up, and find a niche. - Russ also urges professionals to set boundaries, take breaks, avoid carrying work home, and push for fair compensation for overtime.

Between the lines: - Russ’s message reflects a broader tension in behavioral health: demand for services is rising while clinician burnout remains a persistent risk. - Her emphasis on supervision and staff wellness suggests she sees provider support as part of patient care, not separate from it. - Her leadership background in public systems and telehealth points to a career built across both administrative and frontline settings.

What's next: - Russ is preparing to launch her own private practice focused on personalized, evidence-based, and compassionate mental health services. - The next phase of her work is expected to center on trauma recovery, professional integrity, and sustainable care delivery. - Russ also plans to continue mentoring clinicians and supporting women entering behavioral health.

The bottom line: - Russ’s career blends clinical care, leadership, and mentorship into a model built for both client healing and workforce stability. - Her next move into private practice signals a continued focus on accessible, relationship-driven mental health care.