(he/him)
"Life is a journey, travel it well." I believe we're all on our own individual journeys of life that sometimes put us in valleys and sometimes on top of hills. When it comes to the valleys, sometimes it's alright to reach out to someone for a little guidance and help. Hi, my name is Ryan and I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist. One of my favorite parts of my own journey has been navigating the complexities of young adult life stages from college, to work, romance and beyond. But whether or not it's life transitions or just a need for someone to journey along side you during a difficult time, I am here to help.
Journeying and discovery is the way I'd best describe therapy. In sessions, I like to delve deep into the history of who the client is now as shaped by their past upbringing and experiences. I feel that a lot of who we are, how we act, and our belief systems are defined by our past experiences. And with this in mind, forging ahead into the future, hopeful that change will come by addressing past hurts and traumas. Lastly, I always aim to provide a safe and secure place for the client to come exactly as they are without fear of judgement or criticism.
The most important aspect of change in therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. Therefore, I believe that strengthening the alliance between client and therapist is very important, whether that's through challenging a client, providing a safe place, or even connecting over mutual interests (for kids, it's always video games). Meeting the client where they're at and making a genuine connection is very important to me.
I hope that my clients are motivated to do work and have an understanding that change might not be easy or pleasant. I work with young adults navigating the weight of life transitions: leaving home, choosing or changing careers, redefining relationships, and stepping into the next version of yourself. Many of my clients come in carrying anxiety that won't quiet down or a depression that's quietly drained the color out of things they used to love.
Other specialties
I identify as
Christian Counseling
For clients who want it, I also integrate Christian spirituality into our work. My hope is to walk alongside you as you find clarity, steadiness, and a sense of direction that feels honestly yours. I can incorporate biblical- and faith-based perspectives that come from my background in college ministry and church leadership roles.
Psychoanalytic
I work with young adults navigating life transitions, career questions, anxiety, and depression. My approach is informed by relational and intersubjective psychoanalytic theory, which means I pay close attention to the patterns you bring into relationships — including ours — and to the deeper, often unspoken material underneath the symptoms you came in with. Rather than chasing quick fixes, we'll work toward lasting insight and change.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I often work with clients on identifying beliefs about themselves and others and identifying potential distortions in these beliefs. What would follow includes positive reframing and working towards more objective, rational beliefs about oneself. I also like to explore how these beliefs were formulated over the years, including from early childhood.
1 rating with written reviews
January 31, 2025
Thanks, shared knowledge