Ryder DeFranco, LICSW

Ryder DeFranco is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Washington. She draws on seven years of practice to help people facing stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, and major life changes. Ryder writes that seeking help is a strong first step, and she aims to offer steady, practical support during uncertain times.

Her approach emphasizes listening first and shaping goals together. Sessions focus on clear steps to reduce worry, build coping skills, and find more satisfying ways to relate to others. Ryder names compassion and practical problem solving as central to her work, and she encourages self-discovery alongside concrete tools.

People often come for help with depression, grief, trauma and abuse, or struggles surrounding parenting and career. She also addresses intimacy-related issues, self-esteem, attachment and abandonment concerns, and the fallout of separation or infidelity. Ryder supports those dealing with caregiver stress, body image, guilt and shame, and end-of-life or hospice issues.

Her methods include client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness therapy, and motivational interviewing. These approaches are used to identify patterns, try new coping strategies, and practice emotional regulation. Ryder aims to tailor techniques to each person’s needs rather than following a single path.

Ryder emphasizes that change can happen in small steps. She frames therapy as a collaborative process where the client’s goals guide the pace and focus. For people navigating midlife questions or major transitions, she offers a calm, nonjudgmental space to work toward clearer choices and greater day-to-day ease.

How these approaches guide online work

Client-centered therapy focuses on understanding each person’s experience and building a trusting working relationship. It involves reflective listening and shaping goals that feel meaningful to the client, which helps with issues like self-esteem and attachment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. It uses practical exercises and experiments to reduce anxiety, depression, and unhelpful habits. That can include trying new behaviors between sessions and tracking patterns.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) adds skills for managing intense emotions and improving communication. It teaches concrete strategies for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and better interpersonal interactions, useful after trauma or during relationship conflict.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Ryder will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That choice can change over time as progress is made and new priorities emerge.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, or offering sessions at times that work around work and family responsibilities. Many people find these practical benefits help them maintain momentum between appointments.