Licensed to practice in California and accepts 35 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Family Conflict and 10 more.

Ryan Orihood

(he/him)

LCSW, 6 years of experience

Often rebooked

Warm
Authentic
Humorous
VirtualAvailable

About me

Hello! I’m glad you’re here. Reaching out for support can take courage, and my hope is to offer a space where you feel seen, understood, and empowered to move toward the life you want. Since starting my clinical work, I’ve supported folks in making meaningful life changes, exploring their identities, and building healthier relationships—with themselves and others. At times, these changes have involved the courageous work of shifting long‑standing patterns — including ones that began generations before us. It's my honor to have worked with individuals across a wide range of ages, races, genders, sexualities, backgrounds, and abilities. I'm driven to meet each person with respect and a genuine desire to understand their life as they see it. I’m a born‑and‑raised Californian with both professional training and lived experience in many of the challenges that bring people to therapy. I am a queer identified, cisgender, white male who's deeply proud of the LGBTQ+ community I'm part of. I believe that within our diverse range of identities, abilities, and ways of life lays creativity, resilience, and unique contributions to our larger world. Outside of my clinical work, I enjoy staying physically active and creative. Listening to music, going to concerts, and personally performing help me to recharge and find joy. I look forward to meeting you and discussing how I can best support your growth and wellbeing.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, we’ll set aside time to create our virtual space so it feels comfortable and supportive for the work we’ll do together. We’ll review your intake form, and I’ll ask thoughtful questions to get to know you—not just as a client, but as a whole person. I understand firsthand that first sessions can feel intimidating. Try not to worry, as this is only our starting place to get to know each other and what you want to achieve in therapy.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I offer an approach that is consistent, non‑judgmental, and genuinely collaborative. I blend empathy, attentive listening, and—when it helps—humor. I’m direct in a way that observes your lived experience, and is delivered in tune with your feelings. Many clients tell me that this balance is one of the things they value most about working with me. I also understand that growth and healing rarely move in a straight line. There are highs, lows, and everything in between. Wherever you find yourself, I’ll be with you to support your steps forward, help navigate challenges, and celebrate your successes. Change rarely happens all at once — it unfolds through small, intentional steps — and I’m here to support that unfolding at a pace that feels right for you.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I'm most energized by clients who seek to build a genuine, trusting alliance at the heart of our work together. This foundation makes possible our ability to share openly and try on new ways of meeting life's challenges. Clients who tend to experience the most meaningful shifts are ones I've noticed come in with openness and curiosity, and are willing to gently try out new skills or perspectives between our sessions.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Other specialties

Anger Management

Grief

Health/Medical Issues

Self Esteem

Identifies as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Person-centered (Rogerian)

I strive to understand your experiences as you do, and with accuracy, respect, and compassion. When we arrive at a shared understanding of your experiences, we can then name the changes you want to focus on. At times, we may arrive at complex or vulnerable self-discoveries. I continue to withhold judgment in these moments and look for ways to validate and honor your experience. I bring my authentic self to our sessions and communicate openly so that our space remains genuine and you feel supported in your growth.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

I draw from DBT-informed mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation skills to help you meet triggers and navigate challenging experiences with intentional tools. These skills help you choose responses that are aligned with your most grounded, authentic self.

Narrative

Surviving life’s challenges can leave us with painful stories about ourselves. These stories often feel true, even when we’ve had life experiences that counteract them. I draw on aspects of narrative therapy to help separate your core identity from these stories, and notice times in your life when these challenges held less truth. Together, we can uncover what helped you through those moments and explore how those same tools can support you now. From this place, we can co‑author a story that is aligned with the person you want to become.

Strength-Based

I love learning about the activities, interests, and curiosities that bring my clients joy—or the things they’re hoping to try for the first time. I make it a point to recognize and celebrate the strengths they already carry, and I help them identify how those strengths can support them through challenges and harder moments.

Feminist

As a feminist and sociologist, I approach therapy committed to collective liberation and with a genuine curiosity about each person I meet. I honor the differences we bring into the space while building connection through our shared humanity. I also recognize that systemic oppression and social injustices shape our lives in ways we can feel deeply and uniquely. I hold space for the personal impact of those larger forces as we do this work together.

, 4 ratings

1 rating with written reviews

February 26, 2026

As it is my first session, It may be a bit premature to weigh in on this so soon but I felt immediately comfortable and recognized the empathy that Ryan possesses. I'm very much looking forward to our next session!

Verified client, age 55-64
Review shared after session 1 with Ryan