Ryan Johnston, MHC, Therapist in Needham, Massachusetts

Specialties:

Anxiety Depression/feeling down Panic attacks Self-esteem Sexual trauma Stress management Trauma & PTSD +7

Ages Served

18-64

Manages Medications

No, provides therapy only

Accepts Insurance

Yes - View accepted plans

About Ryan Johnston (He/Him)

Ryan Johnston helps adults build practical skills to navigate life’s challenges, strengthen resilience, and create meaningful change. As a therapist with LifeStance Health, he works with patients throughout Massachusetts who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or significant life transitions. Ryan takes a supportive, collaborative approach that helps clients better understand their experiences while developing effective coping strategies that align with their values and goals.

Ryan is particularly passionate about helping individuals address anxiety, depression, and gender identity concerns. He recognizes that emotional distress often affects relationships, self-confidence, daily functioning, and overall well-being. By creating a welcoming and affirming therapeutic environment, he helps clients explore difficult emotions, gain insight into patterns that may be holding them back and move toward a more fulfilling life. He also has experience supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community and understands the importance of culturally responsive, identity-affirming care.

His therapeutic style integrates evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based techniques. These interventions can help clients develop healthier thought patterns, increase psychological flexibility, manage stress more effectively, and build skills for lasting emotional wellness. In addition to his primary areas of expertise, Ryan works with concerns related to PTSD and trauma, grief, midlife transitions, and other mental health challenges.

Ryan provides individual therapy for adults across a range of life stages, including young adults and middle-aged adults. He believes that therapy works best when clients feel genuinely heard, respected, and empowered to participate actively in their own growth and healing process.

Outside of his clinical work, Ryan enjoys staying active through regular exercise and has spent several years learning salsa and bachata dancing. He is passionate about music, attended vocal lessons for many years, and enjoys seeing live performances, having attended more than 100 concerts. He also enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, keeping up with movies, music, and video games, writing a personal blog, and continuing his attempt to learn piano.

Ryan earned his education from the University of Massachusetts Boston and the University of Washington, bringing a well-rounded perspective to his clinical work.

Through LifeStance Health, Ryan serves adults throughout Massachusetts with compassionate, evidence-based mental health care tailored to their unique needs. Whether someone is seeking support for anxiety, depression, gender identity concerns, or other life challenges, Ryan is committed to helping them move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.