Ryan O’Keefe, M.A. is a Doctoral Candidate and Registered Psychological Associate at Sentiero. Next year, he plans to apply to attend an APA-accredited predoctoral internship to satisfy the clinical psychology doctoral program requirements at Alliant International University, San Diego.
With more than six years of experience in the mental health field, Ryan began his career as a Wilderness Therapy Guide backpacking, canoeing, and engaging with patients in various wilderness recreation activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains. During this time, he worked with adults who had co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders and adolescents with a brand range of mental health challenges. His favorite part of the therapeutic adventure was healing and empowering conversations with patients over sunsets and summit views.
Once Ryan became a doctoral student, he served diverse and underserved populations via psychology assessments and psychotherapy. In his work with veterans, college students, and individuals without sufficient resources across the lifespan, he has utilized elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered Therapy. He has cultivated his style based on what he has observed to be most effective in his professional work and personal therapy journey, which he has continued to utilize to navigate his life successfully.
Ryan’s research interests are Surf Therapy, a relatively new field of psychological intervention. He actively facilitates surf therapy sessions with organizations like the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation which offers free surf therapy for Veterans. Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys waves, rock climbing, mountain biking, and advancing his mixed martial arts training and meditation practice.
