Ryan O'Connell, LCSW

Ryan O'Connell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York with six years of practice. He works with people who are high functioning but feeling stuck by stress, anxiety, grief, or identity confusion. He helps clients who want more than symptom relief and who are looking for clearer direction and a stronger sense of self.

Ryan focuses on helping people through life transitions and the hard questions that come with them. He guides grief work and supports people rebuilding identity after loss or major change. He also helps clients manage anxiety, stress, and the practical impacts of ADHD while looking for purpose and direction.

Sessions emphasize an open, collaborative relationship. Ryan aims to create time and space to reflect on relationships, goals, and the habits that keep someone from moving forward. He works with clients to set concrete steps that fit daily life and individual needs.

He also addresses caregiver stress, hospice and end-of-life concerns, isolation and loneliness, and challenges around fatherhood and communication. Ryan includes discussions about substance use, control issues, guilt and shame, and finding meaning when life feels empty.

People who want a direct, honest approach and practical tools may find his style helpful. He encourages clients to test the fit and make sure the work matches their goals. To start, clients complete a short questionnaire and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

How evidence-based techniques guide online therapy

Ryan uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on real-world change. One common approach helps people process grief and loss by creating space to tell their story, notice painful patterns, and practice new ways of remembering and coping. This is useful for hospice, end-of-life concerns, and losses that interfere with daily life.

Another approach focuses on managing anxiety and stress through skill building. That work breaks down overwhelming problems into small, practical steps like breathing and grounding practices, planning easier daily routines, and testing new ways of responding to worry. These techniques aim to reduce immediate distress and create habits that support longer term functioning.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to match techniques to their needs, goals, and preferences. Over the first sessions they will try strategies, check what helps, and adjust the plan together.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats available before booking. The practical benefits can include fitting sessions into a busy week, keeping check-ins brief when needed, and reducing travel time so therapy can be scheduled around work or caregiving. Licensed professionals can use these options to make regular work on goals more achievable without promising a specific outcome.