Ross Ellenhorn – Hope, uncertainty, and the human need to feel held
What helps us feel truly held in a world that feels increasingly disconnected?
In this episode, Jess speaks with Dr Ross Ellenhorn, a sociologist, psychotherapist and founder of Ellenhorn, a community based model supporting people through psychiatric and addiction challenges while staying rooted in their everyday lives. Ross is also the co-founder of Cardea, a psychedelic program that approaches healing through art, curiosity and human connection rather than clinical intervention.
This conversation moves between psychology, creativity and the deep need for belonging. Ross shares why uncertainty is so difficult for us to hold, why hope can feel frightening, and how loneliness reshapes the mind. He explores what it means to be witnessed rather than fixed, and why play and creativity are essential for reconnecting with others and with ourselves.
Ross’s work sits at the intersection of sociology, philosophy and mental health, offering a human centred lens on change, courage and community.
Together, Jess and Ross explore how connection protects us from threat, why modern life has weakened our social muscles, and how we can begin creating spaces that support each other in grounded and meaningful ways.
You’ll also hear:
Why uncertainty can feel heavier than pain
How loneliness can create paranoia and self doubt
The fear of hope and why we protect ourselves from disappointment
What it means to be witnessed instead of pathologised
How creativity and play reconnect us to the world
Why traditions once held us and how we can create new ones
The role of community in healing and human flourishing
This episode also touches on the forensic applications of schema therapy, exploring how trauma, attachment, and early adversity shape behaviour — and why understanding someone’s story is essential when working with people who’ve been criminalised or dismissed.
Prompt for reflection:
“When you think about the moments you have felt most held, what made that space feel safe for you?”
Listen now
Mentioned in this episode:
Purple Crayons by Ross Ellenhorn
How We Change by Ross Ellenhorn
Threat assessment theory
Narrative therapy
Community integration work
Creativity, art practice and play
This episode was hosted by Jess Leondiou, brought to you by Archley’s tools for introspection and reflection. www.archleys.com
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup
01:03 Who is Dr Ross Ellenhorn
04:40 The future of psychedelic psychotherapy
06:50 Why uncertainty terrifies us
09:28 Loneliness, paranoia and modern society
13:10 Conformity, culture and connection
17:57 Creativity, risk and being held
25:40 Threat assessment theory
31:53 How therapy lost its roots
40:01 Curiosity, witnessing and relational safety
46:59 The fear of hope
52:13 Art, play and creating meaning
1:03:12 Exploring collaborative art and hope
Lean more about Ross Ellenhorn
Learn more about Ross Ellenhorn on | Website
Co-founder | Cardea
Read his book | Parasuicidality and Parado | How We Change | Purple Crayons: The Art of Drawing a Life
Learn more about his conferences | Shifting The Paradigm
