- Years in practice
- 6
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Illinois, Virginia
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- LGBT
- Focus
- Self esteem
About Ryan
Ryan Sheehan is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, and parenting challenges. He works with clients on self-esteem, motivation, and LGBTQ-related concerns. He focuses on practical steps people can use in daily life to feel more capable and grounded.
He keeps sessions straightforward and respectful. Ryan treats each person as the expert in their own life and builds on the strengths they already have.
Background and approach
He helps clients name what matters to them and set realistic, short-term goals to move forward. Ryan draws from several approaches to tailor care to each person. He uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to shift unhelpful patterns and increase valued action.
He also uses Client-Centered methods to offer empathic listening and validation. In sessions he focuses on clear tools and concrete practices. That can include thought work, small behavioral experiments, and values-based planning to guide everyday choices.
He supports people working through grief, trauma, addiction concerns, and relationship or intimacy-related struggles. With six years of experience and licensure as an LCSW, Ryan practices from Illinois. He offers multiple session formats like video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
What Ryan works with
Everything Ryan lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Ryan helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Self esteem
- Depression
- ADHD
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Traumatic brain injury
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Ryan lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Approaches that translate well to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take small, meaningful actions even when difficult thoughts or feelings persist. It is useful for stress, anxiety, and issues like low motivation or life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing new behaviors to change how someone feels. It often includes homework and short experiments between sessions to practice new skills. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and creating a collaborative space where clients feel heard and respected; this can help people working through grief, identity concerns, or intimacy issues.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Ryan will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and daily life, then recommend strategies from these approaches that fit. The plan is adjusted over time so methods match what helps most in real life.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let you use visual cues and do guided exercises together. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for quick check-ins. Live chat and text-based messaging make it simple to get brief support, share progress, or keep momentum between sessions.
Questions people ask about Ryan
What concerns does Ryan commonly address?
Ryan works with stress, anxiety, depression, parenting concerns, ADHD, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, and related areas such as self-esteem and coping with life changes.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He uses a practical, collaborative style that emphasizes empathic listening and clear tools. Sessions focus on small steps and concrete practices clients can try between meetings.
What is his background and experience?
He has six years of professional experience working with a range of concerns and holds the LCSW credential. His approach builds on clients' strengths and personal values.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is licensed as an LCSW in Illinois and Virginia and practices from Illinois.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Ryan offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are costs and payment handled?
Session cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.
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