Meet Melissa Ryan

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Melissa Ryan again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Melissa, we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
I am committed to co-creating a more relational world. For more than a decade, I have worked with individuals, couples, and families as a relationship counselor. More recently, I have transitioned to teaching relational and alignment skills to organizations such as Bonneville Power Administration, Women in Science Portland, North Table Mountain Water District, BombBomb, Northstar Transitions, and Golden Young Professionals Association. Recent workshops have included: The Happy Secret to Better Work- Creating a Positive & Inclusive Work Environment and Moving Beyond Imposter Syndrome.
I have received training and supervision in couples relationship counseling, nature based therapies, and substance abuse recovery. I am a Certified Alignment Practitioner. During the past year, I have travelled and lived with my family in a toy hauler camper working remotely and visiting beautiful places throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Great, so let’s jump into an update on what you have been up to since we last spoke. What can you share with us?
Since our last conversation, I have had many more opportunities to facilitate workshops for professional groups, employees, teams, and senior leadership. My training and experience as a couples and nature based counselor informs how I facilitate and teach skills, such as how to build trust on teams, have difficult conversations, hold boundaries in business, and co-create thriving work ecosystems. As a facilitator, I utilize experiential activities to apply and deepen potential learnings. I like to encourage and bring forth the tremendous knowledge, experience, and insights of everyone in the “room”. I believe every person attending has something to contribute to the group’s learning experience.

I have felt tremendous gratitude to have had several opportunities to facilitate workshops addressing the systemic factors that can contribute to professionals experiencing imposter syndrome. I enjoy offering several tools to empower individuals to increase their personal resiliency as well as, inviting leaders to take increased responsibility to commit to specific actions that build more inclusive and positive workspaces, reducing the effects of imposter syndrome. Some of my recent successes included in-person trainings and group facilitation for Bonneville Power Administration focused on trust building strategies for senior management and executives and co-creating work environments that produce happy workers. All of these opportunities have arisen spontaneously. My next challenge is to figure out how I might reach and connect with additional leaders and organizations, who are ready for the next evolution of their professional development and workplace potential.

We also want to give folks a chance to get to know you a bit better so we’ve prepared a fun lightning round of questions. Ready?

Favorite Movie: Defending Your Life

Favorite Book: The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

Favorite Band or Artist: Rising Appalachia

Sweet or Savory: Savory

Mountains or Beach: Both

Favorite Sport (to watch): Super Motorcross

Favorite Sport (to play): Mountain Biking

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Dance

Favorite Breakfast Food: Eggs Florentine with Avocado

Life is often about tough choices – can you talk to us about your thought process, strategy or philosophy when it comes to making difficult choices or tradeoffs.
When I am considering difficult choices or tradeoffs there are a few things I consider:
– First, I try to get outside and connect with my inner wisdom. That might take the form of a mountain bike ride, backcountry skiing, nature walk, etc. If getting outside is not accessible at the time, I try to slow down and practice one of the many mindfulness techniques I have learned including but not limited to: yoga/stretching, breath exercises, 5 Rhythms Dance, meditation, visualization, journaling, etc.
– Most people regret not doing something vs doing it. Is that true for me in this situation?
– I consider my core values and my current priority order of those values. Based on my responses to these considerations, I then consider what choice would be most in alignment with my current priority of values. My integrity and follow through are extremely important to my sense of self worth.
– If I feel uncomfortable about a difficult choice that can be a good sign that I have made the correct choice for me. I believe that growth mostly takes place in a state of discomfort. If I am comfortable, that usually means I am not growing/evolving. Growing pains are a natural part of life.
– How might my power and privilege be influencing my perception of the situation. What might I learn from researching perspectives and experiences of the Global majority.
– I believe that challenge is a tool for spiritual growth. I believe I am here to evolve and access greater human potential. When I experience challenge about difficult choices, I tell myself that this challenge is a necessary step in my spiritual growth.
– I have continued to work on the skill of asking for help. I appreciate that in the counseling field, it is common practice to seek consultation from other professionals. I regularly reach out to other professionals in my field particularly when I am navigating difficult therapeutic situations.

Website: https://www.thescend.org/ & https://www.cambiumcounseling.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-tilleman-ryan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cultivatingamazingrelationships/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaryan9330

Image Credits
Women in Science Portland, Northstar Transitions