About
- ACT
- CBT
- Client-centered
About Ryan
Ryan Sheehan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with six years of professional experience. He works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction concerns, and issues tied to LGBT identity. He also supports people coping with relationship strain, parenting pressures, grief, trauma, and major life changes.
Ryan aims for straightforward, practical sessions. He treats the person in front of him as the expert on their life and points to strengths that can be used to get through difficult moments. Conversations include checking current struggles, naming what matters to the client, and deciding on small, doable steps to try between sessions.
His approach draws from several evidence-informed methods. He uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients clarify values and tolerate hard feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to spot and shift patterns that feed anxiety or low mood. He also uses Client-Centered techniques to keep the work focused on the client's priorities and pace.
Sessions are meant to be practical and iterative. Ryan focuses on skills that can be practiced outside sessions, clearer communication at home, and small behavior changes that reduce daily stress. He supports people through parenting strain, family-of-origin issues, caregiving stress, and intimacy concerns without labeling or rushing the process.
Ryan works in English and holds LCSW credentials for Illinois and Virginia. People who want to begin are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session to see how the work feels.
How sessions work
How Ryan uses therapeutic approaches in online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify what matters to them and practice actions that align with those values while tolerating uncomfortable emotions. It often helps with anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying thought and behavior patterns that keep problems going and then testing small changes to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, reflection, and working at the client’s pace so goals come from the person rather than the therapist.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Ryan will discuss options and adjust methods collaboratively based on a client's goals, preferences, and how they respond to different tools. He treats the process as flexible rather than fixed, and checks in regularly about what is helping.
The practical benefits of doing this work remotely include fitting sessions into busy days and avoiding travel time. Before booking, confirm which session formats are currently offered. Online sessions can make it easier to maintain regular check-ins, practice skills between meetings, and use short weekly touchpoints when life is hectic. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT and CBT exercises for remote sessions so clients can try strategies that fit their everyday routines.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
Illinois, Virginia
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he help with?
He helps adults with stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addictions, relationship and parenting strain, grief, trauma, and related issues.
What is his therapeutic style like?
Sessions are practical and client-focused, emphasizing strengths, values, and small steps to reduce daily stress.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has six years of professional experience working with a range of concerns including LGBT issues, coping with life changes, and caregiver stress.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Illinois and Virginia and practices from Illinois.
Can I work with him if English is not my first language?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he accept clients outside the United States?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.