Ryan Savolskis, LCSW
Senior Therapist
he/him/his
Bio:
Ryan Savolskis is an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist who offers individual, couples and family therapy. He specializes in the treatment of adolescents and adults suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, self-esteem, parenting & family conflicts, and life transitions. In his work, Ryan provides a supportive space in which clients can explore difficult feelings and challenges. He assists his clients in recovering from past setbacks while establishing coping mechanisms for overcoming current and future stressors.
Ryan received his B.A. in psychology from Monmouth University, his M.A. in social work from Rutgers University and is licensed in New Jersey and New York. He brings to Happy Apple a high level of expertise in the use of CBT, DBT, EMDR, and motivational interviewing (among other therapy approaches), and extensive experience as a support group facilitator. Learn more about Ryan from his Psychology Today profile.
Education & Training:
Monmouth University - B.A in Psychology
Rutgers University - Master of Social Work
Get to know Ryan
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I was drawn to this practice because I value working in a collaborative environment where therapists can share ideas, support one another, and grow together. I believe that being part of a diverse and supportive team not only strengthens my own professional development but also enhances the quality of care I can provide to clients.
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My style is relational—I want you to feel like you’re being seen and heard by a real person who genuinely cares, not just someone looking to diagnose or pathologize. I take a collaborative approach, working with you to create a therapy process that fits your unique needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan. My goal is to make every session feel personal, supportive, and tailored to where you are in your journey.
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I notice breakthroughs when clients start showing up for themselves consistently and are able to take a deeper, broader view of their lives. It’s often marked by their willingness to face and work through feelings of shame with courage and self-compassion.
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I often talk about the importance of not getting stuck in the processing phase. When people begin therapy, a lot of time is spent understanding their beliefs, behaviors, and personal history — which is important. But there’s often a thin line between gaining insight and actually starting to make changes. This next step can be the hardest part because change feels scary.
I like to use the example of a fear of bridges: there’s only so long you can talk about being afraid of crossing a bridge before you actually have to summon the courage and skills to walk across it. Therapy is about supporting you to move from understanding your fears to taking those brave steps forward.
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“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” Brene Brown
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I was in a park reading and was ambushed by a group of clowns arguing with a man over a parking spot... later found out it was for an episode of impractical jokes
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You’ll never have it all figured out—and that’s okay. Life is a journey of ongoing self-exploration. The goal isn’t to reach a place where you feel completely self-sufficient, but to understand that life has ups and downs. It’s okay to struggle, fall short, mess up, and try again. Growth happens in that ongoing process.