Ryan Tiêu
Ryan Tiêu
(they/them)
I’m a first-generation, Vietnamese, transgender, and queer therapist who brings both professional training and lived experience to the work. My approach is rooted in empathy, curiosity, and a deep respect for each person’s unique story. In my practice, I often draw from EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help clients process trauma and experiences in a way that feels restorative. EMDR supports the brain’s natural healing by using bilateral stimulation—like eye or auditory movements —to reprocess memories and reduce their emotional intensity. I also use Narrative Therapy, which invites clients to explore the stories they’ve been told or have come to believe about themselves. Together, we uncover how those stories were shaped—by culture, relationships, systems, or past experiences—and work toward reclaiming narratives that center resilience, agency, and authenticity. I understand the importance of creating a space where clients feel seen, affirmed, and safe to show up as their full selves. Whether you’re navigating trauma, identity exploration, or simply seeking to reconnect with yourself, I’m here support you in that process with care, collaboration, and accountability. Are you looking for a mental health letter for gender-affirming surgery? I write those! Feel free to reach out for short-term therapy services to complete the letter assessment process with me. My practice uses old fashioned, human-generated tools and information methodically accumulated over years of community and evidenced based research. I do not use AI programs at any point in the therapeutic process. *I am not currently accepting family, couples, or group counseling inquiries* *Pls inquire about my reduced rate spots at $150/hr*
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is all about building connection and creating a space where you feel safe, seen, and heard. We'll spend time getting to know each other—I'll ask questions about what brought you to therapy, what you're hoping for, and any identities or experiences that feel important for me to understand. We’ll also talk a bit about how I work, what therapy with me might look like, and collaborate on goals that feel meaningful to you. If you're new to therapy or unsure where to start, that's completely okay—part of my role is to help guide the process and hold space for whatever shows up. It takes a few sessions to assess fit - I will check in along the way to see how therapy is going.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to hold space with directness, empathy, curiosity, and nuance. I bring a lived understanding of identity, intersectionality, and the complexities of navigating systems that weren't built for us. I also bring a strong sense of flexibility into the therapeutic space—able to adapt to what each client needs in the moment, whether that’s slowing down, shifting approaches, or offering structure when things feel overwhelming. Clients have appreciated my grounded presence, insightful questions, and the way I balance gentleness with accountability. I'm collaborative by nature and committed to helping you reconnect with your agency, inner wisdom, and self-trust.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I’m well-positioned to support LGBTQ+ individuals, trans and nonbinary folks, people of color, and young adults, as well as those working in high-responsibility or emotionally demanding roles—such as nonprofit professionals, community organizers, and executive-level leaders. Whether you're navigating burnout, sociopolitical stress, leadership challenges, or the labor of advocacy work, I offer a space where mental health is both an internal symptomatic experience and a product of the external “-isms” that inevitably affect us and our communities. I work well with clients who feel or would like to feel alignment within their goals for therapy, advocacy, and community. My practice is rooted in trauma-informed care, with modalities like EMDR and Narrative Therapy helping clients move through old patterns and reconnect with their purpose, values, and clarity. If you're someone who carries a lot—whether emotionally, structurally, or interpersonally—our work together can be a place to set it down, make sense of it, and move forward with intention.
About Ryan Tiêu
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VirtualMy treatment methods
EMDR
As a trained EMDR therapist, I use this evidence-based approach to help clients process trauma and distressing experiences. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye or auditory movement, to support the brain’s natural healing process. I typically integrate it with other therapeutic approaches, tailoring it to each client’s needs. EMDR has been especially effective for PTSD, anxiety, and complex trauma. With a strong foundation of coping skills, EMDR can be helpful for getting through "stuckness" towards a sense of clarity.
Narrative
I incorporate Narrative Therapy to help clients explore and re-author the stories they hold about themselves and their experiences. This approach views people as separate from their problems and allows for movement towards a more consensual or constructive relationship with the problems. By examining how certain narratives have been shaped—by culture, relationships, or past events—clients can begin to shift unhelpful patterns and create more empowering, authentic versions of their stories.