Dr. Ryan's Publications & Media
- Tiffany Ryan
- Sep 9
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 2
Recent Publications:
Peer Reviewed Articles:
Gomez, R., Ryan, T. (2025) “I know I was always a fighter”: Exploring the experience of posttraumatic growth among adults in substance use recovery (In review).
Podcast Appearances:
Beyond The Dose
Healthcare Uprising
ABMP
Massage Business Blueprint
Webinar
Print Media
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
2025- Present University of Texas at Austin
Lecturer
2018-2019 Our Lady of the Lake University
Assistant Professor
2016-2018 Arizona State University
Instructor
2014-2016 Northern Arizona University
Assistant Research Professor and Coordinator, Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Project
EDUCATION
2014 The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work
2005 Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona Master in Social Work, Policy, Administration, Community Organizing Concentration
2004 Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ Bachelor of Social Work, Summa Cum Laude
TEACHING & SPEAKING EXPERIENCE
October 2018 & October 2019 - Instructor, University of Rwanda & Integrative Trauma Treatment Center
Integrative Approaches to Trauma Treatment Workshop
August 2018- August 2019- Distance Assistant Professor, Our Lady of the Lake University
Research Methods for Social Work (MSW), Policy Practice (MSW), Introduction to Pedagogy (Doctoral)
August 2016- August 2018 - Distance Instructor, Arizona State University
Research Methods, Micro Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Policy & Services, Macro Social Work, Program Evaluation
August 2014- Professor, Northern Arizona University
May 2016 Social Welfare Policy Practice, Child Welfare
January 2015- Adjunct Faculty, Arizona State
University May 2015 Program Evaluation Applied Project
October 2014- 2016 Adjunct Faculty, Our Lady of the Lake
August 2014- 2016 Professor, Northern Arizona University
January 2013- Adjunct Faculty, Fayetteville State University
August 2012- Assistant Instructor, University of Texas at Austin
December 2012 Undergraduate Social Welfare Programs, Policies and Issues
PUBLICATIONS
Books
Ryan, T. (2025). Noah Grants Hope: 231 days of a mother's transformation post lifequake. Synergy Publishing Group.
Ryan, T. (2025). Soul Work: A Field Guide to Freedom. Synergy Publishing Group.
Journal Articles
Toner, J., Reyes, M., Ryan, T. (2019). Emerging Issues with Remote Faculty. Teaching with Social Work. Under Review.
Ryan, T.N. & Gomez, R. (2016). What Does It Take to Close A Comprehensive Child Welfare Systems Reform Lawsuit?: A Case Study Approach DOI: 10.1080/23303131.2016.1259704. welfare class action litigation. Children and Youth Services Review.
Ryan, T.N. & Gomez, R. (2016). Trends in state budgets and child outcomes during and post child
Gomez, R., & Ryan, T. N. (2015). Youth led research as a methodology used with homeless youth. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. DOI: 10.1007/s10560-015-0414-4
Gomez, R.J., Ryan, T.N., Norton, C. & Jones, C. (2015). Perceptions of Learned Helplessness among Emerging Adults Aging Out of Foster Care. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal.
Alley, E., Ryan, T., & von Sternberg, K. (2013). Predictors of readiness to change young adult drug use
in community health settings. Substance Use and Misuse. DOI:
10.3109/10826084.2013.825920
Thompson, S. J, Ryan, T., Montgomery, K., Lippman, A., Bender, K., & Ferguson, K. (2013). Perceptions of Resiliency: Homeless emerging adults’ Speak Out. Youth and Society. doi: 10.1177/0044118X13477427
Ryan, T., & Thompson, S. J. (2013). Perspectives on housing among homeless emerging adults. Evaluation
and Program Planning, 36 (1), 107-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.evalprogplan.2012.09.001
Franklin, C., Kim, J., Ryan, T. N., Kelly, M., & Montgomery, K. L. (2012). Teacher involvement in school mental health interventions: A systematic review. Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 973-982.
Book Chapters
Thompson, S., Ryan, T., Kim, J. (2013). Intervening with students and families who frequently relocate or are homeless. In C. Franklin (Ed.), School Services Sourcebook (2nd ed.) (pp. 687- 694). New York: Oxford University Press.
Ryan, T. (2012). Global Drug Abuse. The Encyclopedia of Global Social Issues M.E. Sharpe
Ryan, T., Lamb, P., McChessney, M., & Thompson, S. (2011). Perspectives on Housing from Homeless Youth. In S. J. Thompson (Ed.), Homelessness, Poverty and Unemployment (pp.45- 84). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Montgomery, K., Ryan, T. (2011). Evidence-Based School Interventions to Prevent Homelessness among Youth: Pathways to Employment and Policy Reform. In S. J. Thompson (Ed.), Homelessness, Poverty and Unemployment (pp.101-118). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Ryan, T. (2011). Applying Social Capital Theory to Interventions with Homeless Youth. In S. J. Thompson (Ed.), Homelessness, Poverty and Unemployment (pp. 13-26). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
McNeese, C. A., Ryan, T. (2014). Juvenile Justice Policy: Current Trends and 21st-Century Issues. In
A. R. Roberts, W. T. Church II, & D. W. Springer (Eds.). Juvenile Justice Sourcebook (2nd ed.).Oxford University Press.
Reports
Gomez, R.J & Ryan, T. (2015). Moving toward a developmental framework for measuring and supporting competence. Written for Texas Lutheran Social Services.
PRESENTATIONS
Unpublished paper presented at a meeting (oral)
Toner, J., Reyes, M., Ryan, T., Gomez, R. (April, 2019). Who are non-local faculty? Social Work Distance Education Conference. San Antonio, Texas.
Reyes, M. & Ryan, T.N. (April, 2018). Attracting, Retaining, and Supporting Quality Non-local OnlineFaculty. Social Work Distance Education Conference. San Antonio, Texas
Gomez, R., Cuevas, M., Fischer, A., Ryan, T.N. (April, 2016). We are family! Supporting, developing, and empowering virtual adjunct faculty in an online environment. Social Work Distance Education Conference. Indianapolis, Indiana.
Ryan, T.N. , Marra, L., Gerlach, B. & Faulkner, M. (2016, January). Education Experiences for Foster Youth with Disabilities. Presented at the Society for Social Work Research Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
Faulkner, M, Gerlach, B., Marra, L., Ryan, T.N. (2016, January). Examining Educational Needs and Outcomes of Foster Youth in a Large Urban School District. Presented at the Society for Social Work Research Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
Ryan, T.N. (2015, January). Litigation’s Longitudinal Impact on Child Welfare Budgets and Child Outcomes. Presented at the Society for Social Work Research Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Ryan, T.N. (2015, January). Factors Associated with Positive Child Welfare Systems Change via Class Action Litigation. Presented at the Society for Social Work Research Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Faulkner, M., Gerlach, B., Ryan, T.N., Marra, L. (2014, April). Improving educational outcomes for foster youth: Findings from a mixed-methods program evaluation. Presented at the National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, New Orleans, LA.
Gomez, R.J. & Ryan, T.N. (2014, April). Speaking out: The use of participatory action research methodology to research and combat learned helplessness among aged out youth. Presented at the National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, New Orleans, LA.
Gomez, R.J, Ryan, T.N., Norton, C., & Jones, C. (2014, January). A Comparison of Competency Between Foster Care and Non-Foster Care Emerging Adults Experiencing Homelessness: Policy and Practice Recommendations. Presented at the Society for Social Work Research Conference, San Antonio, TX.
Ryan, T. (2013, October). Round table: Facilitating and Evaluating Organizational Efforts to Improve Educational Outcomes for Foster Youth. Presented at the Council on Social Work Education Conference, Dallas, TX.
Franklin, C., Kim, J., Ryan, T., Kelly, M., & Montgomery, K. (2013, January). Review of the Research on School-Based Interventions: Using Evidence to Guide Policy and Practice. Presented at the Society for Social Work Research Conference, San Diego, CA.
Ryan, T., Franklin, C., Kim, J. (2012, November). Teachers’ Involvement in Response to Intervention (RTI) and School Mental Health. Paper presented at Council on Social Work Education Conference, Washington, D.C.
Ryan, T. & Schwab, J. (2012, October). Evaluation of Litigation as a Means to Child Welfare Reform. Paper presented at the Texas Alliance for Child and Family Services Conference, Austin, TX.
Ryan, T. (2012, June). Current Research on Working with Homeless Youth and Its Translation to Practice. Healthy Youth Partnership Youth Provider Conference, Austin, TX.
Poster session presented at a meeting
Ryan, T. (2014, April). Class Action Litigation as a Method for Child Welfare Policy Reform: A Case Study Analysis. Presented at the National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, New Orleans, LA.
Ryan, T. (2013, October). Litigation in Child Welfare: Factors necessary for sustained positive outcomes. Presented at the Child and Family Research Institute’s Dean’s Lecture, Austin, TX.
Ryan, T., & Thompson, S. (2012, October). Homeless emerging adults: Perspectives on supportive housing. Presented at The American Public Health Association Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Alley, E., von Sternberg, K., & Ryan, T. (2012, October). Predictors of readiness to change young adult drug use in community health settings. Presented at The American Public Health Association, San Francisco, CA.
Alley, E., von Sternberg, K., & Ryan, T. (2012, March). SBIRT for young adult’s drug use in community health settings. Presented at The Center for Health and Public
Resources Conference, Austin, TX.
Ryan, T., & Thompson, S. (2012, March). Perceptions of Housing Services and Utilization Among Homeless Emerging Adults. Presented at The Center for Health and Public Resources Conference, Austin, TX.
Ryan, T., & Thompson, S. (2012, March). Perceptions of Housing Services and Utilization Among Homeless Emerging Adults. Presented at The Society for Research on Adolescents Conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Thompson, S., & Ryan, T. (2012, March). Predictors of Resiliency Among Homeless Emerging Adults. Presented at The Society for Research on Adolescents Conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Lipmann, A., Thompson, S., Ryan, T., Ferguson, K., & Bender, K. (2012, January). Resiliency Among Highly-Transient Homeless Young Adults: An Exploratory Study. Presented at The Society for Social Work Research Conference, Washington D.C.
Ryan, T., Thompson, S. J., & Lamb, P. (2011, March). Perspectives on Housing From highly transient homeless young adults. Presented at The Center for Health and Public Resources Conference, Austin, TX.
Guest (Invited) Presentations
Ryan, T. (2020, September). University of California at Berkeley. Movement and Mental Health. Presented remotely.
Ryan, T. (2020, September). Chamberlain University. Self-Care and the Mind-Body Connection. Presented remotely.
Ryan, T. & Umuziga, P. (2018, November). Global Engagement Institute and Integrative Trauma Treatment Center. Multicultural Trauma Treatment: An Integrative Approach. Presented in Kigali, Rwanda.
Ryan, T. (2015, November). Coconino County Foster Home Round Table. Presented in Flagstaff, AZ.
Ryan, T. & Schunk, S. (2015, September). Arizona NASW State Conference: The state of child welfare in Arizona. Presented in Phoenix, AZ.
Ryan, T. (2015, May). Arizona NASW Lunch & Learn: Child Welfare Updates for Social Workers: Policy Impacts on Practice. Presented in Flagstaff, AZ.
Ryan, T. (2015, April). Arizona NASW Lunch & Learn: Child Welfare Updates for Social Workers: Policy Impacts on Practice. Presented in Prescott, AZ.
Ryan, T. (2015, April). Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth Annual Conference. Child Welfare Reform. Presented in Flagstaff, AZ.
Ryan, T., Schmaltz, T. & Arp, J. (2015, March). NASW Social Work Month Event. Panel presentation at Northern Arizona University, Social Work Program.
Ryan, T. (2014, November). Class Action Litigation as a Method for Child Welfare Policy Reform: A Case Study Analysis. Presented at the Northern Arizona University Social and Behavioral Sciences Brown Bag Series.
Thompson, S. J., & Ryan, T. (2012, September). Getting your abstract accepted. Presented at the PhD Colloquium series. Austin, TX.
Thompson, S.J., Ryan, T., Montgomery, K. (2011, October). Getting your abstract accepted. Presented at the PhD Colloquium series, Austin, TX.
Ryan, T. (2011, August). Orientation to the PhD program for First Year Students, Austin, TX
Ryan, T. (February, 2011). Panel discussion on Pan-Handling and Homelessness. Presented at the Department of Fine Arts Visual Arts Center Event, Austin, TX.
PROFESSIONAL/PRACTICE EXPERIENCE
May 2018- Present Yomassage™
Co-Founder, Owner
May 2018- May 2019 Integrative Trauma Treatment Center
Trauma Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Yoga, & Reiki Training facilitator, Researcher
August 2006-June 2009 Alaska Association for the Eduction of Young Children
Executive Director
Directed the overall operation of the organization and responsible for consistent achievement of its mission and objectives. Maintained overall implementation and responsibility for $100,000 budget as well as several smaller grants, program development, membership development, long-range planning, fundraising and grant development, community involvement and education, and advocacy
for early childhood education. Assisted in passage of legislation to increase Child Care Assistance rates.
January 2006- Arizona Community Action Association, Phoenix,
Arizona. June 2006 Program Manager
Administered Food Stamp Outreach programs through both State and Federal grant contracts. Coordinated and facilitated training programs statewide related to Arizona Self Help website and the Food Stamp Program. Created, coordinated, and disseminated media related to contracts. Directed Arizona Self Help consultants. Worked closely with the Department of Economic Security and
their Hunger Advisory Council to develop strategies to end hunger
and poverty in Arizona. Served as a liaison to local groups, organizations, and partners. Wrote and developed grant proposals and progress reports. Coordinated and planned agency events. Prepared statistical information, project reports, and visual aids. Assisted in the passage of anti-poverty legislation at the local
and national levels. Worked with the board on key programs and legislative issues.
July 2005- John C. Lincoln Hospital, North Mountain, Phoenix
Arizona. March 2006 Medical Social Worker
· Assessed psychosocial status, support systems, safety needs,
and community support during the discharge planning process.
· Provided financial, emotional, and educational resources to patients.
· Worked in conjunction with state agencies to assist patients.
· Played a vital role in the Patients with Non-Documented
Status Committee.
· Performed crisis intervention with patients and families.
· Advocated for the patient in all areas of their care.
· Executed duties in every area of the hospital.
December 2004- Arizona State Representative Kyrsten Sinema, Phoenix, Arizona. May 2005 Graduate Level Legislative Intern
· Tracked nearly 200 bills simultaneously
· Presented updates to members of the House on a regular basis
· Met with lobbyists and concerned citizens
· Acted as State Legislature Representative to Protecting Arizona
Families Coalition
· Developed and advocated for the passage of domestic partner
legislation with the Arizona Human Rights Fund advocacy committee
· Wrote legislative updates that were distributed to the Arizona
Human Rights Fund Organization and its members.
August 2004- Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Phoenix, Arizona. December 2004 Graduate Level Policy Intern
· Participated as a member of legislative committee
· Played active role in Protecting Arizona Families Coalition meetings
· Wrote a $100,000 grant for a new domestic violence
prevention campaign
· Created new Court Watch and Lay Legal Advocacy training manuals
· Analyzed community and member survey results
· Educated domestic violence victims and survivors on how they
could safely become politically active and register to vote
September 2003- Mountain View Elementary School, Phoenix,
Arizona. May 2004 School Social Work Intern
· Provided direct services such as food boxes, resources and referrals
· Conducted individual case work, one-on-one counseling sessions
· Conducted home visits
· Worked with Child Protective Services
· Facilitated social skills and anger management prevention groups
· Taught Girl Power class to at-risk youth
HONORS
2015 Northern Arizona University Sociology and Social Work Department Research Grant ($5,000)
2014 Society for Social Work and Research Doctoral Fellows Award ($3,000)
2013 Nominated by the School of Social Work for the University of Texas at Austin Outstanding Graduate Research Award ($4,000)
2013 Continuing Fellowship ($18,000) from the University of Texas at Austin’s Graduate School
2012 Martha S. Williams Endowed Presidential Scholarship ($2,500) from the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work
2011 Emily and Don Jackson Endowment for Excellence in Juvenile Justice ($2,500) from the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work
2010 Adoptive Parents Fellowship ($3,500) from the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work
TRAININGS ATTENDED
The Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy and Yoga, 2017
LMT License#24022 and RYT200
Reiki Level 1
Craniosacral Therapy
Trauma Informed Bodywork
BOARD SERVICE
Integrative Trauma Treatment Institute (President)
Arizona NASW Board (Public Policy Chair, Precinct 3 Representative)
Prevent Child Abuse Arizona (Chair, Policy Committee)
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