Ryan Elkins, M.A.
AMFT
Ryan Elkins is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who earned his master’s degree from Phillips Graduate Institute and his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Ryan approaches therapy as a collaborative process built on curiosity, empathy, and authenticity. He works closely with clients to better understand the patterns, experiences, and beliefs that may be keeping them stuck while helping them develop practical tools for managing life’s challenges more effectively. His goal is to create a supportive environment where clients feel understood, empowered, and capable of meaningful change.
Ryan works with children, adolescents, adults, and families. He enjoys helping parents better understand their children’s emotional and behavioral needs while developing practical strategies to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and create healthier family dynamics. Ryan understands that parenting can feel overwhelming at times and strives to support families with compassion, collaboration, and realistic tools that can be applied in everyday life.
Ryan draws from several therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. He helps clients build insight, strengthen coping skills, improve emotional awareness, and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and self-beliefs that interfere with growth and connection.
His prior experience in tutoring and mentorship has strengthened his ability to connect with children, adolescents, teens, and young adults with warmth, flexibility, and humor. Ryan also enjoys incorporating creativity and art-based interventions into therapy when helpful, particularly for clients who benefit from more expressive or nontraditional approaches.
Ryan has experience working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. He has supported individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, autism spectrum disorders, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, social anxiety, family conflict, identity-related concerns, and life transitions.
Ryan completed his clinical training at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where he developed specialized experience providing LGBTQ+ affirming care. He worked with clients navigating identity exploration, gender transitions, relationship concerns, and other LGBTQ+ experiences. He also facilitated the Center’s Coming Out process group, helping participants build community, self-acceptance, and confidence in their identities.
Ryan understands that starting therapy can feel vulnerable and uncertain. He strives to create a warm, collaborative, and affirming space where clients can feel safe exploring challenges, building resilience, and creating more meaningful and connected lives.
If you have any questions for Ryan Elkins or would like to speak to him further to make an appointment please call the office number at 818.591-3000, ext 115 or complete the form below.