Ryan Terribile, LISW

Ryan graduated with dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and information systems in 2019. Deciding he hadn’t had enough of LSU and the roaring crowds of Tiger Stadium; he stuck around and received his MSW from LSU in May of 2021. After that, he chose to follow his fiancée to Iowa as she pursued her PhD. While Iowa winters have been a big adjustment for him, he has been enjoying the beautiful colors of the Fall, the smells of Spring, and Iowa City’s thriving theater scene.

Ryan’s belief is that there is no one-size fits all approach for therapy. While some clients may benefit from simply having a listening ear, others may benefit from more directive and goal-oriented therapies. Based on your needs, Ryan will collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment plan. He will also always ask for feedback to ensure that your treatment is on the right track.

For those seeking a more directive approach, Ryan primarily incorporates Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) as well as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Ryan takes a unique approach to CBT; rather than focusing only on your problems and symptoms, Ryan will help you build upon your strengths. He also believes in the importance of helping you “become your own therapist” by learning how to incorporate the techniques of CBT outside of the therapy office. Finally, he’ll also help you identify and accomplish tangible changes that can be made in your life to not just survive but thrive.

Some people find, however, that CBT isn’t quite enough to set in their new, more positive ways of thinking about themselves. It’s one thing to logically understand that you are a worthwhile person – but it’s a completely different thing to believe that in your gut. That’s when EMDR comes into play! Many of Ryan’s EMDR clients have shared that they’ve seen more progress in just a few sessions of EMDR than years of therapy.

While all of that might sound a little stiff, Ryan also loves getting to know each of his client’s interests and sharing his own love of board games, movies, and sports. If you meet with Ryan over telehealth, there’s also a good chance you’ll get a visit from his rambunctious brown tabby, Cedar!