Kelley Ryan
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey with 20+ years of experience providing formal and informal therapy in a variety of settings and areas of concern. I have provided services in private homes, traditional office settings, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and other program settings.
I have provided services in private homes, traditional office settings, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and other program settings.
I have worked with people with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, compassion fatigue, motivation, and self esteem. I also have experience working with people with disabilities and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I strive to meet people where they are, and believe that all people deserve to be treated with kindness, dignity and respect. My approach is person centered, and combines cognitive-behavioral, person centered and solution focused therapy principles. All treatment plans are tailored to meet your individual and specific needs. First steps are often the hardest, but with courage and determination, all things are possible. When you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!
First session
I like to keep initial sessions as comfortable and informal as possible. While there is much information to be gathered, the process is structured to feel like a "getting to know each other" conversation. Questions from individuals are encouraged to increase comfort and trust in the process. Treatment plans and goals are based upon each individual's input and preferences.
Strengths
I have worked with people in many different environments, contexts and life situations. I believe my strength is meeting people where they are at, without judgement or expectations. Everyone needs a helping hand along the journey of life regardless of the circumstances. My goal is to help those whose lives I touch, find their way back to their unique path, along with the tools they will need to walk it with peace and confidence.
Ideal clients
The decision to make changes is a challenging one, as well as individual one. I am experienced in working with individuals on a variety of mental health issues and concerns. I meet people where they are and assess the best way for them to start moving forward. I believe in using a combination of therapeutic tools as well as encouraging exploration of local supports and resources to support lasting change once therapy has ended. My ideal clients are those who are motivated and willing to put in the effort for change, even when it feels hard in the moment.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
This technique is used to help people better understand the connection between emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Treatment focuses on being more intentional in the thought process, thus gaining more perspective on potential behavioral choices. I encourage small changes that can be sustained over time, to encourage the experience of success while working to address the broader issues.
Grief Therapy
This technique is used, in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness, to help process the challenging emotions of loss through acknowledgement and self forgiveness. Grief is a very individual journey and treatment is focused around accepting where one is at and moving forward with intention while processing difficult emotions.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
This technique is used to allow the individual to be the expert in their own life and work collaboratively with the therapist to set goals and choose their priorities of treatment. This reinforces the importance of collaboration to create the meaningful connection to foster personal growth .
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
This technique is used, in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to help individuals be more intentional in their thought processes, as well learning to accept their thoughts and feelings without judgement, and with compassion. This modality is helpful in undoing unhelpful thought processes and replace them with healthier, more intentional ones.
Positive Psychology
This method is an integral part of all my therapeutic modalities. While working through specific problems, struggles, and areas of improvement, it is essential to simultaneously reinforce the individual's strengths, connections and individual uniqueness so that changes can be more easily integrated into healthy lasting change.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Woman
Top specialties
Anxiety
Grief
Life Transitions
Other specialties
Coping Skills
Depression
Family Conflict
Older Adults
Peer Relationships
Self Esteem
Women's Issues
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Individual Therapy
Doesn't specialize in
Addiction
LGBTQ
Sex Addiction
Sex Therapy
Sexual Abuse
Licensed in
New JerseyLicense 44SC04881100