Ryder DeFranco , LICSW

Ryder DeFranco is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Washington. She has seven years of clinical experience helping people who feel stuck by stress, anxiety, grief, and life changes. Ryder focuses on practical steps and steady support so clients can make meaningful change over time.

She uses a mix of straightforward talk and active listening. Sessions aim to identify what is getting in the way and try small changes that build confidence. Ryder helps people sort through relationship and intimacy concerns, issues with self-esteem and body image, and the pain that follows trauma, loss, or separation.

Her work also covers parenting strain, caregiver stress, career worries, and family problems. Ryder addresses specific themes like attachment and abandonment, communication and commitment struggles, and impulsivity or infidelity concerns. She offers guidance on coping after disasters and on end-of-life and hospice related distress.

Ryder draws on Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. That combination lets her tailor sessions to the person in front of her and focus on skills people can use between meetings.

People who look for clear, compassionate direction tend to fit well with her style. Ryder aims to create a calm, non-judgmental space to talk through hard topics and practice new ways of handling them. She works with adults who want steady, practical support for emotional healing and life transitions.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit your life

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and helping people find their own solutions. It centers the person's experience and supports self-discovery and clearer decision making. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical strategies to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and change unhelpful behavior.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Ryder will talk with the person about goals, test different strategies, and adjust methods based on what helps most. The process is collaborative, with a focus on what the person needs and prefers.

Online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video calls allow a face-to-face conversation when meeting in person is not possible. Phone sessions work when bandwidth is limited or when a camera is not convenient. Live chat and text-based messaging offer brief check-ins, quick skill practice, and support between longer sessions. These options make it simpler to keep therapy consistent while balancing work, caregiving, or travel.