Founder, Owner, & LSW, LMHC, MACCS, SAP, PsyD
Dr. Guan Ellerbe is a passionate advocate for healthy relationships and empowering individuals to harness their innate strengths. With expertise in working with individuals, couples, and trauma survivors, she is committed to fostering resilience and personal growth in her clients.
In 2017, Dr. Ellerbe founded Leading Light Behavioral Health, Inc. to provide a compassionate and client-centered approach to therapy. The practice focuses on creating therapeutic partnerships with individuals, couples, families, and communities, offering innovative opportunities to step outside conventional environments that may perpetuate unhealthy behaviors. Services include mental health and court-approved evaluations, substance abuse assessments, workshops, anger management training, retreats, and more.
With over 20 years of experience in human and social services, Dr. Ellerbe has honed her skills in various roles, including Social Worker for the Department of Children and Families, Substance Abuse Clinician and Group Facilitator at Highpoint Treatment Center, and as a Child and Family Therapist with several Massachusetts-based agencies. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and a certified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).
Dr. Ellerbe holds a Doctorate in Leadership Development from William James College, a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Eastern Nazarene College, and a Bachelor's in Social Work from Bridgewater State University. As an Adjunct Professor for graduate programs in Marriage and Family Therapy, she is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of clinicians.
Dr. Ellerbe's entrepreneurial spirit extends to her role as the founder of Leading Light Mental Health Clinic, Inc. (LLMHC), established in 2023. LLMHC takes a community-based therapeutic approach, meeting clients where they are.
Additionally, her Executive Consulting Firm focuses on trauma-informed practices for Black women in the workplace, executive coaching, and organizational development. The firm offers training on topics such as silent quitting, race-based traumatic stress, psychological safety, and emotional intelligence, drawing from her research on the impact of Strong Black Women archetypes on leadership and psychological safety.
She is also the creator of the Inspire the Aspired product line, which includes the Path to Positive coping skills cards, IA affirmation cards, Weekly Planner for Clinical Professionals, Design Your Career masterclass and workbook, and the IA Guided Anxiety Journal.
In her free time, Dr. Ellerbe enjoys exploring her creative side, learning new things, reading, and binge-watching TV series.
"Let Us Be the Light as You Lead the Way." - Dr. Guan Ellerbe"
"Teach people how to treat you!" - Author Unknown