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 Patrick Ryan began his career while enrolled as an undergraduate at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Under the tutelage of several professors in the University’s psychology program, Patrick volunteered to work with school age children in low-income areas of Northern Virginia. During this time, he was able to gain insight into the common discord within many families that can inhibit a child’s performance in social settings and in the classroom. Following this, Patrick volunteered as a mentor to help at-risk youth in low income areas of Northern Virginia avoid negative experiences (hunger, gang violence, teen pregnancy, truancy) and promote a healthy life style based on a strong work ethic in school as well as a healthy balance between family and friends. Patrick is proud that the child he mentored is finishing high school and will be attending college.
Due to Patrick’s involvement in the community and his hard work ethic in the classroom, he was selected by an honors society to go overseas and work with terminally ill patients. Patrick worked primarily in Sydney, Australia with adults suffering from terminal cancer and AIDS. The defining moment of this experience occurred when a patient stared into the sunset and stated, “This is probably the last sunset I will ever see.” Hearing this stirred several emotions within Patrick. This was a prime example of someone who had lost all hope and faith in the human spirit. Patrick worked his hardest with the patients and assisted this individual to experience several enjoyments and mend relationships prior to passing away. From that point, Patrick felt it was his duty to bring hope to the hopeless.
Upon graduating from George Mason University with a bachelor’s in Psychology, Patrick gained admission to the American School of Professional Psychology. During graduate school, Patrick worked primarily with adults at an inpatient psychiatric hospital. While furthering his knowledge of mental illness as well as the detrimental effects of life stress, Patrick was able to create and conduct his own therapy groups. Through a collaborative approach, Patrick and his group participants were able to process why certain stressors affected them and also worked on ways to promote personal growth. Through time, motivation, and consistent oversight, the participants were able to identify, work towards, and meet their goals.
 In addition to working at an inpatient facility, Patrick was able to create more groups at a day program for adults where he fulfilled his internship requirements for graduate school. Patrick was given more freedom to create and conduct several groups promoting a healthy lifestyle with a focus on meeting one’s personal goals. The most successful of these groups were his “Exercise, Introspection, and Stress Management” group. This group focused primarily on the beneficial properties a healthy body can have on a healthy mind. Taking a step back and observing one’s life with an outside perspective provides a healthy dose of reality and also several new and productive ways in which one can improve their life. Some of the many improvements manifested in personal growth, relationships, overall physical health, and efficient stress management.
Upon receiving his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Patrick sought to work within the community and help the neediest. He currently works in a residential program where he visits clients in their homes to set goals and uncover any inhibiting factors that may stand between the individual and their objectives. Concurrently, Patrick works at a crisis stabilization center where he interacts directly with members of the community, dealing with several life stressors such as familial discord, poor time management, financial turmoil, and legal problems.
Patrick hopes to take the knowledge he has gained and apply it towards people who are ready to change their lives. Changing the way we think affects how we live. Through an energetic, positive, realistic, and collaborative approach, Patrick aims to improve your life. Whether it be in family, sports, social, occupational, or academic settings, Patrick can help you achieve your goals with the Duffy Tripple Win Method. We look forward to hearing from you and want you to ask yourself, “Am I ready for change?”
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