Mental Health Counseling
Need someone to help you talk through problems? Want assistance with diagnosis or management?
Our team is prepared for individual, marriage, group and family therapy for children, adolescents and/or adults with the following challenges: Emotional regulation, Managing symptoms of trauma or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Grief and loss, Crisis intervention (induced by trauma, life events, and more), Abusive relationships, Sexual assault recovery, Childhood sexual abuse/incest, Depression, Anxiety, Substance abuse, Coping with severe illness or injury, Disordered eating, Parenting, Guidance and career counseling, Work/life balance, Anger management, Self-healing and personal growth.
Michelle McGowan, MSW
Michelle McGowan completed her Bachelor’s in Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh and Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa. After working with survivors of sex trafficking, domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, and youth affected by HIV/AIDS, she was inspired to pursue trauma therapy.
In 2011, Michelle received her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University. She then remained in New York City working as a counselor for STEPS to End Family Violence, an agency serving survivors of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. After relocating to the US Virgin Islands to start a family, Michelle began working for The Department of Human Services. Here, she joined the Adult Protective Services Unit to investigate elder abuse and work with disabled adults in the Virgin Islands community.
Michelle is passionate about helping people find healthy pathways to process hardships, trauma, and abuse. On this journey, she has learned the importance of the mind-body connection and is inspired to guide clients through a holistic approach to treatment. Michelle assists clients in coping with the physical symptoms of trauma such as panic attacks, insomnia, anxiety, disordered eating, substance abuse, irritability or outbursts of anger, flashbacks, self-injurious behaviors, and other natural reactions survivors experience. Her goal is to create a support system and assist clients along their personal path towards physical and mental well-being.
Dr. Derron Ambrose
Dr. Ambrose is a Licensed Psychologist who has worked in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, community mental health, private practice, a total confinement facility, and psychiatric hospitals.
Dr. Ambrose earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology from the University of the Virgin Islands (2011), his Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology from Fisk University (2013), and his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology (with a clinical emphasis) from Tennessee State University (2018). He completed a pre-doctoral psychology internship at Western State Hospital(a large state psychiatric hospitalin Washington State) in a dual training program in clinical and forensic psychology. His post-doctoral training was at the Special Commitment Center, a total confinement facility for civilly committed sex offenders who have completed their prison sentences in Washington State on McNeil Island, Washington State. There, he worked as a Psychologist Team Lead. He then worked as a Ward Psychologist at Western State Hospital providing treatment, assessment, and forensic services for patients.
In addition to being licensed in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dr. Ambrose is also licensed in Washington State and continues to serve as a Telehealth Provider for behavioral health services there. Dr. Ambrose’s areas of expertise are severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), depression, anxiety; and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Dr. Ambrose utilizes evidenced-based traditional psychotherapy with modern empirically supported therapeutic techniques. Dr. Ambrose believes that having a healthy life includes taking care of the whole self: mind, body, and spirit. Dr. Ambrose would like to accompany you on your mental health and wellness journey and provide you with good quality care. Dr. Ambrose loves food and music!