Riverbridge
Psychological Services

Dr. Tobias A. Ryan, PsyD, earned his Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from Pacific University in 2007.

Dr. Tobias A. Ryan, PsyD, has worked with children and families in treatment centers and independent practice for over twenty years. In addition to psychological assessments in educational, vocational, and forensic settings, he has provided therapy for children, adults, couples, and families. His research has been on culturally responsive practice and personality assessment, specifically the clinical use of the MMPI-2. Dr. Ryan has taught at the University of Portland since 2013 where he was awarded the citation of Shepard’s Shepherd for positive student impact in 2023. His full-time practice, Riverbridge Psychological Services, is based in Vancouver, Washington. 

Reviews from Clients

  • "Extremely educated and helpful. Made the children and I feel comfortable and respected. I definitely would trust and recommend!"

    (Parent Google Review, 2024)

  • "Hi, Dr. Ryan, I drove past the Academy the other day and saw a lot of work in the former parking lot. Came home and reported my findings and we started talking about our time with you and how it has affected us over the past few years. What we realized in this talk is how much of what you did teach us and what we picked up from seeing you really helped us get through lockdown and the whole COVID nightmare. Looking back, we realized that we, as a family, really do like each other. Most importantly, we did well as a team in supporting each other and communicating to each other frustrations or even just letting them go. We owe that to you, for sure. I honestly can’t really point to any one tool that you gave us that helped us better ourselves, only that we remarked several times how differently we react to situations and communicate now. It’s nice. So we owe you a huge thank you."

    (Vancouver, Washington, Couples’ Therapy client three years after conclusion of treatment, 2022)

  • "I was a client of Tobias's and I would just like to pass on my appreciation and commendation for the excellent job he did in helping me gain the resources needed to progress into a more healthier and stable state of mind I experienced a very turbulent few months and during this time Tobias gave me unwavering support and positive unconditional regard above and beyond duty, helping me cultivate mindfulness and to realize my own inner potential and strength. His empathetic nature and keen eye for detail made him aware of problems that at times I was unable or unwilling to see, yet his focus on client autonomy meant he never pressed these problems until I was ready to realize them or until they developed into the potential for high risk behavior. He not only listened to what I was saying but what I wasn't saying, and paid attention to subtle cues easily overlooked- body language, eye contact and facial expressions. I have had many therapists but none like Tobias- simply put, he is amazing at what he does and I know he has the capacity to help many others realize their capacity for inner growth and development- he has my full support in all of his endeavors and I wish him all the very best."

    (Exchange Student Client, from a University in the State of Washington, 2007)

  • "Tobias is very knowledgeable about his profession, & life in general. He is understanding & appears empathetic to my issues. He is able to present to me ideas that I may have overlooked, & he doesn't let me get away with being dishonest with myself, or allow me to avoid important issues."

    (Student Client from a University in the State of Washington, 2007)

  • "I recall meeting you several times while working at Prestige Care in Hazel Dell (an assisted living facility). I recognized your name right away and remember the excellent care and concern you had for a resident."

    (Mother seeking Family Therapy, 2011)

  • "Tobias, there is nothing eloquent for me to say. I know that you won’t take credit for any of the progress I’ve made anyway. But I do want to thank you for the time you spent with me. I’m sure you haven’t gotten rid of me so easily, but should we not meet again, keep doing what you do."

    (Portland, Oregon, client at the conclusion of treatment, 2012)

  • "Hey, Tobias, just wanting you to know that our conversation last Monday was good! It made me look at myself in a way that I haven’t experienced it before. You pointed out exactly what I need to change at the moment it happened! Yes, I need to take it slow. It works already much better because I feel a bit embarassed of what I realize how I am reacting and how it hurts my wife. I know that needed to happen to actually see what exactly I need to work on. Thanks again and see you soon!"

    (Portland, Oregon, husband in Couples’ Therapy, 2015)

  • "I just wanted to let you know that I have accepted a job in California, so I won’t be able to make our next scheduled appointment. But I will most certainly stay in touch. Thank you for being SOOO incredibly amazing and supportive oer the past two years!! I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank YOU!! Cheers!"

    (Portland, Oregon, client at the conclusion of treatment, 2015)

  • "Dear Dr. Ryan, I had my VA appeal psyche exam. That Ph.D. cited your evaluation of my PTSD and it was a similar positive experience to what I had with you. In the final chapter on my case, the VA has assigned me 50% PTSD service-connected. This is a vindication of a sort and an economic windfall. Thank you for your support."

    (Combat Veteran from Portland, Oregon, 2016)

  • "It has been quite a while but I just wanted to tell you that I just got accepted into a Master of Arts in teaching program. The interview was the hardest part but it would have been way worse without the help you have given me and the work we have done in our sessions. Thank you so much!! Hope all is well with you!!"

    (Portland, Oregon, client at the conclusion of treatment, 2017)

  • "Dr. Ryan is an amazing Psy. He was a huge help in understanding our kids. His thoughtful approach and encouragement was invaluable! I highly recommend him for psychological testing!"

    (Google Review, 2018)

  • "Hey, just wanted to send you a quick text to say thanks. I was out walking and this trans youth approached us and asked if he could pet the dog. While we were interacting he opened up to me. I was able to help him reframe some of the narrative he was creating and come up with some language to communicate his needs more effectively. I felt like our interaction was really helpful to him (and he said as much). Without the work you and I do I wouldn’t have had the skills or knowledge to be of service to that kid who really needed an adult to listen today. So thank you, our work helps me be helpful to others."

    (2022)

  • "I had an incredible supervision experience with Tobias. He was genuine, interested in my growth, and always willing to go a step further to make my experience worthwhile. One of my goals was to establish a better understanding of my conceptual framework (in the limited time we had, we agreed this was a lofty goal) through analysis of group interactions and functions. My fall-back framework is very much a systems approach fused with multicultural counseling. Tobias was able to work with me and combine both of our group experiences into lessons that I could relate back to a lot of the past coursework I have completed. Tobias was great at validating my concerns while also pushing me to consider my abilities, experiences, and strengths/weaknesses. His sense of humor was always appreciated and his group facilitation skills were greatly modeled for me in the areas of process questions, conflict resolutions, group-level interventions, and overall facilitation abilities. I will remember Tobias as a great co-facilitator, a thoughtful and helpful supervisor, and also a good friend."

    (2007)

  • "Hi Tobias, I am needing help navigating problems at work. Both my friend and my husband have said, 'You need to talk to Tobias.' My husband actually said, 'You need the TR handbook for this!' Can I get an appointment with you sometime before I lose what sanity I have?"

    (Mother requesting a return to Therapy, 2025)

  • "Hey, just wanted to send you a quick text to say thanks. I was out walking and this trans youth approached us and asked if he could pet the dog. While we were interacting he opened up to me. I was able to help him reframe some of the narrative he was creating and come up with some language to communicate his needs more effectively. I felt like our interaction was really helpful to him (and he said as much). Without the work you and I do I wouldn’t have had the skills or knowledge to be of service to that kid who really needed an adult to listen today. So thank you, our work helps me be helpful to others."

    (Portland, Oregon, client during treatment, 2022)

  • "Sunday I was able to guide a person out of a panic attack and help them calm their nervous system with the mindful breathing and body scan techniques you and I worked on together. I was also able to help her manage repetitive thoughts and self-harm fantasies and agree to seek help. I wouldn't have been able to help without our hard work over the years and I just wanted to reach out to say thank you."

    (Portland, Oregon, client during treatment, 2023)

  • "Hi Tobias, I just wanted to share a comment someone said about you on the satisfaction survey from May 2009. The question was, 'What has been the most helpful thing about the services you and your child received over the last six months?' Someone responded, 'Our counselor (Tobias) was patient and accommodating, flexible with us, even when life’s tumult made my ability to bring my child regularly difficult and worked with me to get the support I needed myself. I can’t say enough positive things about him.’…Overall, 89% of clients and caregivers reported satisfaction with services. This is Morrison’s highest satisfaction rate since surveys were first administered in November 2004."

    (Client Satisfaction Report from Morrison Child and Family Services, received while I was the Clinic Case Coordinator, 2009)

Reviews from Custody and Parenting Time Assessments

  • "Dear Dr. Ryan, I don’t think I will ever adequately be able to express just how much you have helped our family. For the last several months I felt as if I was living in a twilight zone, and no matter how I tried the Judicial System kept failing. I became completely disillusioned that the System would ever work to protect the boys. Until you came in. We have a long road to recovery but I am happy to say already they are showing just how resilient kids are. Yesterday they walked to school hand in hand. Like most of us in the work force, I am sure you have those days where you feel beaten down, or like you aren’t making a difference, but please know that my family, our life, will forever be influenced for the good for what you have done for us. You saved my boys."

    (Mother from a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2018)

  • "Tobias, there isn’t a card that I could find that captured what I wanted to say. But for the past many months I’ve been wanting to tell you thank you. Thank you for doing what you do and for caring about kids and families that much. Thank you for handling things with my son the way you did. I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job of putting him at ease and even making him smile through this process. When I first read your report, I cried - mostly because someone actually got it. No matter what the outcome, I appreciate you so much and think you are a true blessing for people that go through this."

    (Mother from a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2018)

  • "Hi Dr Ryan, I wanted to say thank you for working with my family to establish the best possible situation for my kids. We ended up coming to a settlement agreement and will be following almost all of your recommendations. Again, thank you very much."

    (Father from a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2019)

  • "Thank you for doing such a thorough job and having such great insights. I am very encouraged to try to resolve my social resentment and to work on my coping mechanism. And thrilled with all the recommendations you made. I hope that by supporting them too in court, that they will be required by the judge. I can’t thank you enough for your hard work."

    (Mother from a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2021)

  • "Hi Dr. Ryan, my co-parent had a change of heart and we have an agreement so no trial today. I hope you're able to get other families in for today with such short notice and I'm really sorry it took until now. Thank you for being my son’s voice in this, words cannot describe how thankful I am we had you. Your evaluation was thorough and addressed everything that was needed in this case. We get to move forward and focus on strengthening connections because of the work you do and did for our family. Happy Monday and have a wonderful day. "P.S. My son said to tell you thank you. He feels heard. He was so happy we didn't have to go to trial and about the new schedule that will take place he skipped around the house. Thank you for bringing closure to all of this and making this possible."

    (Mother from a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2022)

  • "Everyday I say a prayer of gratitude for your help in our case. Thank you for all you have done in helping to ensure that my child has the best chance to learn a healthy and positive life. I am forever grateful for you, and the work you do!"

    (Mother from a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2016)

  • "Dear Dr. Ryan: Thank you for your testimony today. I was not particularly artful today in my questioning. That being said, I thought you did a very good job of relaying the important points of your evaluation and recommendations. I thought the cross-examination was particularly poorly done and did nothing to impact any of the points you made in your direct testimony."

    (Attorney for a Father on a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2023)

  • "I wanted to thank you again for your testimony in the matter and your thoughtful evaluation of these children and their needs. We finished trial today at noon. I appreciate you, and truly enjoy working with you. Your analysis is always thoughtful and thorough, and I know you have the best interests of children as your number one priority in figuring out how family systems can best support children post-divorce. It makes me sad when families require an evaluation, but there are situations like this one where unfortunately it is necessary. We need skilled professionals who care about children and families to do this tremendously difficult work."

    (Attorney for a Mother in a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2023)

  • "Thank you for your time & help with my family. By the way, your social anxiety assessment is spot on. I hate big groups and especially being the center of attention. But I can do it!" (A picture of a social gathering was included).

    (Mother from a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2024)

  • "Thank you so much for your assistance yesterday. Your testimony was insightful and invaluable. Because of your interviews with the children, I was able to avoid having to call either child to the witness stand with their father in the courtroom. The judge took particular note of your interviews with the children, and that they had substantiated seeing domestic violence situations between their parents as well as their thoughts of self-harm. Your statement regarding the situation on bed wedding and the need for medical tension was also specifically noted."

    (Attorney for Children in a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2023)

  • "I appreciate your patience and thoroughness; they have helped allay my worries for the family, and especially the child, going through one of the hardest times in their lives."

    (Grandparent involved in a Custody and Parenting Time Family Assessment, 2025)

Reviews from Students & Supervisees

  • "Dr. Ryan, Thank you so much for a great semester. I admire the passion you have for Psychology. I really enjoyed your class and learning about the complexity of the mind. I am excited to take more Psy courses. I hope you have a happy holidays and a fantastic second semester!"

    (University of Portland student, 2017)

  • "I had an incredible supervision experience with Tobias. He was genuine, interested in my growth, and always willing to go a step further to make my experience worthwhile. One of my goals was to establish a better understanding of my conceptual framework (in the limited time we had, we agreed this was a lofty goal) through analysis of group interactions and functions. My fall-back framework is very much a systems approach fused with multicultural counseling. Tobias was able to work with me and combine both of our group experiences into lessons that I could relate back to a lot of the past coursework I have completed. Tobias was great at validating my concerns while also pushing me to consider my abilities, experiences, and strengths/weaknesses. His sense of humor was always appreciated and his group facilitation skills were greatly modeled for me in the areas of process questions, conflict resolutions, group-level interventions, and overall facilitation abilities. I will remember Tobias as a great co-facilitator, a thoughtful and helpful supervisor, and also a good friend."

    (Supervisee and Co-facilitator testimonial, 2007)

  • "Dr. Tobias Ryan set me up for success. His grading and class style pushed me to change my study habits and overall habits from the start. I learned many things about myself in that class. I met an amazing group of friends in the class from a research participation activity. We are all so close and study together all the time. He was also very helpful in the beginning when I was incredibly stressed and wasn't confident in my capabilities on becoming a successful college student. I feel that many people did not agree with the format of his class and class style, but It overall motivated and pushed me to become a better-performing college student. I thank him for pushing me, and setting me up for success from the start."

    (University of Portland Student, 2023)

  • "Hello Professor Ryan, I hope this email finds you well! I was in your class during Fall 2021. I still remember our fishbowl activities and how, while challenging, honed many skills and my own confidence in research and public speaking."

    (University of Portland student, 2021)

  • "I always know that coming to you will be helpful and solve my problems."

    (Association for Psychological Science Mentorship Program, 2025)

Reviews from Research & Academics

  • "Tobias, you are the best! I am honored to have been mentioned in your Acknowledgements, but truly, your degree is a reflection of your hard work, high motivation, and great attitude. I wish more students were as motivated to learn as you are. In that light, I want to tell you that the Evaluation Committee has honored you with Outstanding status (highest graduate student status). I was happy to be part of that discussion, being on the committee, and it was great to hear how highly the faculty regard you."

    (Graduate School Advisor, 2009)

  • "As former Director of Clinical Training, I have a good sense of the trajectory of Tobias’ clinical training experiences and the reception he has had by his various supervisors. He has built a solid, broad foundation and has been highly evaluated at two of our best training sites…Similarly, Tobias has established a solid base of experience in research, not only through his master’s thesis and dissertation, but also through other projects…In this research, Tobias combines his natural intellectual curiosity, sharp analytic skills, and clinical sensitivities, so as to take a disciplined yet innovative approach to his investigation."

    (Graduate School Supervisor and Former Director of Clinical Training, 2005)

  • "During the time that I have supervised Tobias, I have experienced him to be incredibly warm, sincere and caring in his approach to others. He consistently demonstrates a great deal of knowledge, dedication, and love for the field of psychology. Tobias is a joy to supervise and is truly a wonderful clinician overall!"

    (Former Graduate School Supervisor and Doctoral Coordinator and Supervisor of Training, 2005)

  • "Tobias has demonstrated excellent clinical skills in his work. He is able to quickly form and maintain a therapeutic alliance with challenging clients. He is skilled at engaging clients in solution-focused problem solving, helping them develop a sense of hope, and guiding them in finding appropriate safety plans. He consistently exhibits compassion, patience, and respect…Tobias has also demonstrated strong professional skills. He is a team player, and is always available to assist and support fellow staff. He has positive relationships with his co-workers. His clinical documentation is professional and concise…His willing, cheerful, insightful presence made him an important member of our clinical team."

    (Clinical Operations Supervisor, Crisis Care Center, 2006)

  • "Thanks for making my first co-authored process so smooth!!! You’ve set me up for a high bar of expectations for future articles/co-authors!!"

    (Co-Author on Research, 2021)

Research

  • Hearing Beyond What Is Spoken: Collective Grief at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

    Kawamura, N.O., & Ryan, T. A. (2021). Journal of Museum Education, 46(2), 184–191.

    Read More

  • An MMPI-2 Hopelessness Scale: Construction, Initial Validation and Implication for Suicide Risk

    Nichols, D.S.; Innamorati, M.; Erbuto, D.; Ryan, T.A.; Pompili, M. (2021). Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. 3: 100057.

  • The MMPI-2 Structural Summary: A brief introduction.

    Nichols, D.S. & Ryan, T.A. (2014) In Raffaello Cortina (2014), MMPI-2: Manuale per l'interpretazione e nuove prospettive di utilizzo. Varese: Consorzio Artigiano LVG. 

Read More

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The Academy Building
400 E Evergreen Blvd, Suite 221
Vancouver, WA 98660

(360) 657-9742