Mr Ryan Portelli - Registered Warranted Counsellor
Ryan Portelli is currently an EO (Counselling) co-ordinating the counselling services in state schools around Malta and Gozo. Previously Ryan worked as a head of Wellbeing in the independent educational sector and a Principal Counsellor at Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School Naxxar, Sir MA Refalo, Gozo 6th form and GEM 16+ Gzira, three post-secondary education institutions in Malta.
He firstly graduated in Psychology, and followed it up by a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PSD). He has varied experience in the education sector being responsible for teaching, learning support zone and guidance throughout his professional experience, mostly focusing on working with children, adolescents and adults with socio-emotional and behavioural difficulties. He also worked for around 8 years with persons with disability, learning difficulties and their families as well as in training and support to other practitioners in the field. He also tutored students of the University of Malta reading their Diploma in Inclusive Education and facilitates interpersonal and intrapersonal seminars with Medical students at the University of Malta.
Ryan lectures on other credits and the University of Malta in the areas of helping skills, personal growth and sexuality.
Ryan also works with passion and special interest with issues pertaining to the LGBTIQ+ community, people living with HIV, and non-heteronormative relationships and diverse sexual expressions. Ryan works as a counsellor with HIVMALTA working both on educational campaigns on sexual health and counselling service. Ryan also supports Checkpoint Malta, an NGO working with community testing for HIV amongst other projects. He also works with the Rainbow Support Services providing counselling. Ryan has also recently been chosen for a scholarship training on Harm-Reduction support for Chemsex users.