Ryan Orihood
Hi there, thank you for considering me in your journey. I hope I offer you a space where you feel seen and empowered to live the life you want to create. I support teens, young adults, and adults in navigating life transitions, relationships of all kinds, identity exploration, community belonging, stress, anxiety, and depression. I work best with clients who feel caught in patterns that no longer serve them, and who are ready to explore practical ways forward. I have supported people across a wide range of ages, races, genders, sexualities, backgrounds, and abilities. I am driven to meet each person with respect and a genuine desire to understand their life as they see it. I approach therapy with warmth, a collaborative spirit, and directness. Whether this is your first experience with therapy or you’ve been in therapy before and are looking for a fresh perspective, I aim to help you unlock new possibilities for growth. My goal is to help create a space where you feel genuinely understood–while also being gently challenged toward growth. Clients often appreciate my ability to balance compassion, insight, and humor while guiding them through awareness and into meaningful change. I believe healing can be possible when people feel safe enough to be honest, curious to explore new possibilities, and supported in taking meaningful risks. Ultimately, I hope to help you strengthen your relationship with yourself, navigate life's challenges with greater confidence, and build a life that reflects who you are becoming. I look forward to meeting you and discussing how I can best support your growth and wellbeing.
First session
Starting therapy is a brave first step into becoming who you want to be. It’s natural to feel nervous at our first session. I hope it’s reassuring to know that our first session is simply a starting point to begin to get to know each other and build a path forward together. I treat our initial session as a two-way street where both are getting to know each other. On my end, I’ll ask thoughtful questions to get to know you as both a client and also as a whole person. We'll discuss your current concerns, explore relevant personal history, and identify what you hope to change in the near future and in the long term. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions and get a sense of whether I feel like the right fit for you.
Strengths
My therapeutic style blends empathy, authenticity, open-mindedness, and humor. I move between deeper exploration and practical skill-building–depending on what feels most helpful in the moment. I value being direct with my clients while maintaining a delivery that’s mindful and supportive. Many clients tell me that this balance is one of the things they value most about working with me. I recognize that meaningful growth rarely happens all at once. The process can involve highs, lows, and everything in between. I am committed to supporting your steps forward, troubleshooting challenges, and celebrating wins. I strive to set a pace that is sustainable for our work and at the same time challenging enough to support growth.
Ideal clients
I work best with clients who wish to build a genuine alliance that’s trusting and collaborative. What matters most is a willingness to be open to the process and gently try out new skills and perspectives in between sessions. Clients who approach our sessions with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to try new things often find themselves making meaningful changes over time.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I bring my authentic self to our sessions and communicate openly to maintain a space that feels genuine and relational. I believe meaningful change can occur when we can be understood and accepted for who we are–free of judgment. I strive to always meet you with compassion and empathy for your lived experience, while supporting you as you move towards a life that feels meaningful and aligned with your values.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
We all have moments where our reactions do not match with who we want to be. I integrate evidence-based DBT skills to help you respond to life’s challenges with greater intention, self-awareness, and flexibility. These skills can help you navigate intense emotions, manage stress, and strengthen your relationships.
Narrative
Our experiences can shape what we believe about ourselves and what’s possible for us. Your past successes and moments of resilience can guide how we navigate present-day challenges together. We will borrow from earlier versions of yourself to use your strengths and wisdom earned from challenges you’ve already met. When our beliefs feel painful or limiting, we’ll explore where they came from and work to create ones that better reflect who you are and who you want to become.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 130269