Fifty years of helping people change
Licensed clinical social worker, clinical hypnotist, teacher and disaster mental health responder — and still learning.
James J. Ryan, MSW, has provided personal counseling and comprehensive clinical hypnosis in Rockford since 1976. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Board-Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, and has been certified in Critical Incident Stress Management by Jeffrey T. Mitchell, PhD.
He has taught at the University of Illinois and Rockford College, and has served as a mental health disaster worker for the American Red Cross in crisis settings including 9/11 (2001), Hurricane Katrina (2005) and the N.I.U. shooting (2008).
Colleagues describe him as warm, ethical and relentlessly current — he keeps up with the latest research and techniques so he can tailor treatment to each person’s needs. His practice treats a wide range of concerns, including relationship difficulties, fears and phobias, trauma, medical and stress-related conditions, smoking cessation and pain management.
Training & professional memberships
- MSW, LCSWMaster of Social Work; Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- BCDBoard-Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work
- American Society of Clinical HypnosisClinical member
- National Association of Social WorkersMember
- International Critical Incident Stress FoundationMember; certified in Critical Incident Stress Management
- TeachingFormer faculty, University of Illinois and Rockford College
- American Red CrossDisaster mental health: 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, N.I.U.
- MethodsClinical hypnosis, EMDR, Thought Field Therapy, EFT, short-term therapy
“To empower your mind to obtain the solutions you desire in a safe, comfortable and economical manner.”James J. Ryan, MSW
What fellow clinicians say
Comments from psychiatrists, psychologists and fellow social workers who know his work.
James J. Ryan, MSW is one of the best established behavioral clinicians in Rockford… he has a well-deserved reputation as an excellent therapist and hypnotist. He is very experienced in treating pain, especially back and abdominal pain, with hypnosis. Many have benefited from his help.
I consider him the epitome of what a therapist should be. His knowledge, skill, experience, and his compassion are unsurpassed. Jim’s ethics and professionalism are above reproach… Jim Ryan is truly a therapist’s therapist.
James Ryan is an exceptional therapist. Not only does he keep up with research and the latest and best practice methods, but he… is a very warm and kind individual. I would not hesitate to refer him.
James Ryan, MSW is an excellent clinician working with a broad spectrum of patients. He has highly developed and effective skills with a special focus on short-term therapy techniques.
Mr. Ryan keeps very current in his clinical knowledge and skills. He constantly seeks to improve his clinical knowledge.
James Ryan, MSW is an excellent therapist who is well known in this community — great reputation.
I have found him to be ethical, dependable, and conscientious. Mr. Ryan has the rare gift of being able to coordinate effectiveness, efficiency, compassion, and skill.
The first step is a short conversation.
Call to talk through what’s going on and whether working together makes sense. There’s no cost and no obligation.
In-office or by Zoom