About Our Founders
Ryan and Marlena Galippo
Ryan and Marlena Galippo met in 2015 while being Marriage and Family Therapist Trainees. During this time they were attending graduate school. They were both interning at a Christian community counseling center when they decided to volunteer at a foster family camp as therapist’s for the camp. It was at this camp that they began to take an interest in one another. Marlena had a strong conviction in being led to Ryan and she began praying for him. She wrote him a birthday card that included the Bible verse Deuteronomy 31:6. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Marlena was not sure why the Lord was placing this verse on her heart for Ryan, but shared the verse in his card. Shortly after receiving this card Ryan and Marlena began dating and then married in 2018.
Six months into their marriage, Ryan learned he had stage four cancer. Together they battled cancer courageously and continued to be therapists, despite a terminal diagnosis. Ryan and Marlena often had to take brief leaves while Ryan had surgeries and treatments. Together, they always resumed their passion for the ministry of counseling. Ryan succumbed to cancer in January 2023; he was providing therapy to patients a month and a half before he died.
Ryan and Marlena were both called to counseling as their life ministry. During their marriage together they enjoyed having profound discussions about life. Some of these discussions were about what the Bible says about emotional turmoil, and how to bear this individually and with others. Ryan and Marlena often dreamed, discussed, and prayed about opening a counseling business together.
In retrospect, Marlena now understands why the lord placed Deuteronomy 31:6 on her heart for Ryan. When she provided this card to Ryan, he was not aware of his cancer. However, in later receiving the diagnosis he was strong and courageous. He did not believe God had left or forsaken him despite knowing his life would most likely come to an end early. Ryan's life, ministry, and marriage continue to serve as encouragement and inspiration to others.
About Ryan Galippo, M.S.
Ryan’s journey and service in mental health consisted of seeing children with Autism. Ryan had experience in Applied Behavioral Analysis. Ryan had several years of experience working with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Ryan last worked as a mental health court and veteran’s court clinician, where he assisted patients and military members with getting into and completing rehabilitation programs. Upon completion of these programs their criminal charges could be expunged and they earned a fresh start.
Ryan’s greatest desire was being part of a person’s change process. He did this by being a listening ear, gently challenging, or assisting with resources. Ryan believed these tools could help someone get closer to the true calling of who they were designed to be. Ryan always shared seeing people for their best potential and believing that they could get there if they actively worked at it.
About Marlena Galippo, M.A. LMFT 127864
Marlena has been working in mental health for over 11 years. She has been a clinical therapist for over 9 years and licensed for over 3 years. Marlena knew she was called to be a therapist in high school. It was in high school she created her senior scholarship portfolio documenting her calling to be a therapist.
Marlena’s first experience in mental health, 11 years ago, was helping parents complete their reunification plan and to rehabilitate with the hope that they could have their children returned to them. These parents had lost their parental rights and their children were placed in the child welfare system. Marlena later went on to provide wraparound services to children in foster care. Marlena has also worked in group homes with foster youth.
Marlena additionally worked in partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs in treating eating disorders.
Marlena has and continues to work with active duty military members, their family members, and also with veterans.
Marlena has ongoing experience in working with community mental health, treating various reasons for coming into therapy. Marlena has worked in various community settings, providing therapy in schools, homes, church counseling centers, in online environments, and in traditional counseling centers. Marlena's areas of interest include trauma, anxiety, depression, adjustment concerns, and grief. Marlena sees individuals, couples, and families.
Marlena continues to work in mental health because of the growth and resilience she has seen in several people over the years. She is passionate in her belief that mental health treatment has the opportunity to change the trajectory of generations.
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