- Stress and anxiety
- Family of origin
- ACT and CBT
About Ryan
Ryan Sheehan is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and Virginia with six years of clinical experience. He works with stress, anxiety, depression, LGBT concerns, self-esteem, motivation, and coping with life changes. He also addresses relationship concerns, addiction, ADHD, grief, and family of origin issues.
Ryan starts by listening to the story a person brings. He treats people as the experts on their lives and looks for strengths to build on. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear strategies rather than jargon. Conversations are straightforward and focused on what is helpful next.
He uses a combination of approaches to match the situation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps clarify unhelpful thoughts and build different habits. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy supports identifying values and taking small steps that align with those values. Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Emotionally-Focused techniques are available for learning emotion regulation and improving how people connect with others.
Ryan often helps people sort how patterns from their family of origin still affect day-to-day life. He will talk through boundaries, communication, and expectations that feel stuck. He also works with people facing major life transitions like caregiving, separation, or shifts in identity.
Sessions aim to leave someone with concrete tools to try between meetings. He encourages small experiments, real-world practice, and regular check-ins on progress. The work is practical, grounded, and paced to what each person can manage.
How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying what matters most and taking small, committed actions that match those values. In practice this looks like identifying meaningful goals and trying brief experiments between sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice thought patterns and test them with real-life behavior changes to reduce anxiety or low mood. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for managing intense emotions and improving day-to-day coping, such as brief grounding techniques and emotion regulation exercises.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and suggest which methods to try first. That decision is collaborative and can change over time based on what helps most.
Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when schedules demand, and reduce travel time. These practical benefits help people keep therapy consistent while applying skills to daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
Illinois, Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, LGBT related issues, self-esteem, motivation, coping with life changes, and family of origin issues among other concerns.
What is his general therapeutic approach?
He combines practical methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with client-centered listening. Sessions focus on clear strategies and small, actionable steps.
How much experience does he have?
He has six years of professional experience working in clinical settings and community care.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and Virginia and is based in Illinois.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he work with international clients?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.