Ellen Ricks Ellen Ricks earned a BFA in creative writing from SUNY Potsdam with a minor in communication. She has been a freelance writer since 2016, covering mental health, wellness, spiritual, holistic healing, LGBTQ+ issues, sex and dating, and reviews. Along with Verywell, Ellen writes for Horoscope.com, Astrology.com, and Byrdie. She also has bylines in HelloGiggles, Teen Vogue, Bustle, and HuffPost.As a mental health advocate, Ellen has spent years trying to improve her own mental health and sharing what she's learned with others so no one has to struggle alone. About Health Health, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning online resource for empathetic, trustworthy, and actionable health and wellness information so you can make the best choice for your health. We reach more than 9 million readers a month. We ensure the accuracy of our content by relying on seasoned health journalists, credentialed medical professionals and thorough fact checkers. Learn more about us and our editorial process.