Hope Conference Speakers

Caitlin Ryan, PhD, ACSW
Director, Family Acceptance Project
San Francisco State University

Caitlin Ryan, PhD, ACSW, is a clinical social worker who has worked on LGBT health and mental health issues for more than 35 years. She directs the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University–the first research, intervention, education, and policy initiative to increase family support, decrease risk, and promote well-being for LGBT children and adolescents. 

Dr. Ryan and her team are developing a new family model of wellness, prevention, and care for LGBT children and adolescents, based on this research. Her work has been recognized by many groups, including the American Psychological Association, Division 44, that gave her the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award for groundbreaking research on LGBT youth and families, and the National Association of Social Workers that named her "Social Worker of the Year" in 1988. Her book, Lesbian & Gay Youth: Care & Counseling is the first comprehensive guide to health and mental healthcare for lesbian and gay youth.

She was appointed as a member of the Committee on LGBT Health by the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, to study the research needs, gaps, and opportunities for LGBT people.  She serves on the LGBT Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and is a Purpose Prize Fellow. Dr. Ryan received her MSW from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts and her PhD in Public Policy/Health Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers.

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