Ryan Forbes , LCMHC

Ryan Forbes often goes by "Forbes" to avoid confusion with other people named Ryan, though he is comfortable being called Ryan. He is biracial - his father is Maori from the Waikato region of New Zealand and his mother is English born in the United States. He grew up in Nevada across a mix of cities and rural communities while his parents worked for state government. Ryan is licensed in Utah as an LCMHC (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor) and brings 10 years of counseling experience to his practice.

He works with people facing stress and anxiety, relationship and intimacy challenges, motivation and self-esteem concerns, bipolar disorder, depression, parenting and family issues, grief, ADHD, and related areas such as attachment and abandonment, caregiver stress, communication difficulties, guilt and shame, and questions about life purpose. His approach emphasizes the strengths a person already has and the belief that each individual is the expert in their own story, using those strengths to move past obstacles.

Ryan views the decision to pursue therapy as an act of courage and aims to support and empower clients as they pursue a more fulfilling life. He integrates client-centered principles with cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior strategies, and draws on mindfulness and solution-focused techniques as appropriate. He provides services in English from Utah.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Ryan uses client-centered therapy to place the client's perspective at the core of the work - this means sessions focus on listening, empathy, and building a collaborative relationship so clients can explore their goals and values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can be especially useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers practical skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, helping people manage intense emotions and improve communication.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Ryan works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps tailor the work to the individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and varied schedules. These formats offer flexibility in how and when people connect, allowing therapists and clients to maintain momentum, access support from different locations, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable.