Still I Rise

Trauma Support Group Designed for Black Women

Peace Over Violence provides a free support group called Still I Rise designed for Black women who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault.

This group focuses on developing resilience using a model centered on Black culture. Participants will learn about domestic violence, sexual assault, trauma, coping skills, empowerment, and building healthy relationships.

Still I Rise meets remotely on Zoom and is open to residents of Los Angeles County. POV counseling services are free for survivors.

Still I Rise is currently facilitated by Sky Lea Ross, MFT, Psy.D. Candidate. Sky is an adamant scholar, therapist, published author, and social justice/human rights advocate.

Born and raised in the poorer parts of Northern Pasadena, Sky had to navigate the resources available to her at a very young age. Having a family history of chronic mental and physical conditions as well as disabilities, she was exposed to abuse/neglect and went into foster care at age 16. This opened more doors for her, introduced her to a loving and supportive foster mother, and allowed her to pursue higher education (UCLA, Pacific Oaks College, and the Chicago School of Professional Psycology).

Inspired by her early experiences with her own personal therapists, she became passionate about the field and determined to give back. Operating primarily from a Client-Centered and Trauma-Informed lens, she views her clients as the experts of their own lives, providing them with empathy, empowerment, and focusing on strengths rather than deficits. Now, working on her dissertation which focuses on exploring the health outcomes of early trauma on ethnic minorities (BIPOC), former foster youth, and the LGBTQIA+ population, she has dedicated her life to serving these marginalized communities, providing therapy, and educating others on the importance of mental health.