A Story Born
From Loss,
Built for Hope.
Prepare U Pro exists because of one man's refusal to let tragedy be the end of the story. What started as personal grief became a mission that has touched 60,000+ lives - and is only getting started.
No family should ever have to struggle alone. That belief is the foundation of everything we have built.
The Day That Changed Everything
In a world where families often drift apart, Prepare U Pro emerged as a beacon of hope, dedicated to transforming family dynamics through accessible emotional intelligence training. The journey began with Ryan Beale, a licensed psychotherapist whose life was forever changed by a family tragedy. After losing his brother Steve to mental health struggles, Ryan recognized the urgent need for tools that could help prevent other families from experiencing similar pain.
With a heart full of empathy and a mind focused on solutions, Ryan channeled his grief into creating an innovative program that bridged the gap between traditional therapy and everyday family life. The result? An evidence-based curriculum that empowers families to communicate better and build deeper connections.
Prepare U Pro's flagship 11-session program, backed by major psychological associations, is not just about theory - it's about proof. Over 60,000 lives transformed, including students who reported a staggering 35% reduction in anxiety and depression. Schools that once faced crises of unimaginable proportions have blossomed into thriving, connected communities, where shared emotional journeys restore hope and resilience.
Ryan's past experiences - working as a crisis interventionist, witnessing tragedies that propelled him to innovate, and his passion as a martial arts instructor - equipped him with the insights necessary to craft a curriculum that is effective, engaging, and scalable. Featured in national media outlets and recognized as a leader in mental health solutions, Ryan's mission is clear: to help every family experience the emotional intelligence that leads to lifelong connection and healing.
The Journey So Far
Every milestone is a person helped, a family reconnected, a community strengthened.
The First Family Connection Mission
Prepare U's Founder launches Chattertree, one of the earliest family-focused social networking platforms. Seeing the rise of online social media and its risks to family connection, Ryan creates a safe space for families, groups, and faith communities, pioneering early COPPA compliance.
40 Days Off Facebook
Ryan journals "40 Days Off Facebook" after reflecting on the mental health impact of social networking on the anniversary of his family's loss. The book is published in 2013, sparking national conversations on digital boundaries and mental well-being.
Pepsi Refresh Project and Pure Mental Graffiti
Competing in the Pepsi Refresh Project, Ryan launches "Pure Mental Graffiti," a campaign to destigmatize mental health, putting group mental wellness in the public eye. Received national attention for a "Vote for Public Group Therapy".
Becoming the Expert: Advanced Crisis Intervention
Ryan joins the Michigan School of Psychology, advancing his clinical expertise while working in county crisis intervention, helping individuals and families in acute need.
The Live Network Launches
With a vision to empower helpers, Ryan with a team of experts launches The Live Network, a telehealth platform connecting therapists and creating preventive education tools.
A First in U.S. History
Under the leadership of Patrick Watson, EdS, a public high school becomes the first in the United States to mandate mental health education using Prepare U. A landmark moment that validates the mission on a national scale. After multiple suicides Ryan and his team dedicate over 10,000 hours to develop the first version of Prepare U - an IRB-reviewed experiential mental health curriculum. It becomes the first mandated program of its kind in the U.S.
American Psychological Association Recognition
Joanne Broder, Ph.D., Past President of the APA's Division of Media Psychology, endorses Prepare U - calling it exactly what students need: a balance of smart, informative, and genuinely engaging.
National Recognition and U.S. Surgeon General
Prepare U receives recognition and national media attention for its groundbreaking approach to preventative education. Prepare U is invited to host the U.S. Surgeon General in New York as New York becomes the first state in the country to mandate mental health education in schools.
National Media Spotlight
Prepare U is featured across major national outlets including Fox News, Teen Vogue, The Huffington Post, and Education Week. The conversation around accessible emotional wellness reaches millions.
Pandemic Prepared - Home Edition and Media Features
As COVID-19 hits, Prepare U already has a home edition, supporting families during lockdown. Prepare U is featured in documentaries and news outlets, as one of the only experiential programs helping families navigate emotional health at home.
International Recognition & Foundation for Prepare U
Therapy Live is selected as the official practice management and telehealth platform of the Canadian Psychological Association - marking an international designation of trust in both the technology and the team behind it. The same clinicians, infrastructure, and experiential approach powering Therapy Live become the foundation for scaling Prepare U - extending beyond therapy into proactive emotional health education for schools and families.
International Expansion and Advocacy
The Canadian Psychological Association, representing 7,000+ psychologists, joins as a supporter. CEO Karen Cohen, Ph.D. states that Prepare U's mission to create a healthier world aligns with their own. The program is no longer just American - it's a global movement. Ryan and the team collaborates with states to develop mental health education guidelines. Prepare U is used in top schools, public, private, rural schools, and faith-based organizations across over 20 states.
Prepare U Pro Beta Launch
Prepare U Pro is launched, bringing emotional intelligence tools directly to families, beyond schools. Partnering with health departments and organizations, Prepare U Pro expands its reach into homes nationwide.
60,000 Lives Transformed
A milestone that means something: 60,000 individuals and families who chose to invest in their emotional well-being. Each one a story. Each one a reason the mission continues.
Preparing Champions in Life
Prepare U Pro launches publicly, empowering families everywhere. Partnering with CMH Boxing and promoting champions in homes, Prepare U Pro delivers tools for emotional intelligence, resilience, and family connection - from crisis prevention to thriving.
One Million Experiential Hours
More than 1,000,000 hours of guided emotional wellness practice - real people, real growth, real change. The data validates what Ryan always believed: this works.
Family Mode Launches
Families can now learn together in synchronized live sessions - parents and children watching, reflecting, and growing side by side. The individual journey expands to include the people who matter most.
The Mission Continues - and You're Part of It
Prepare U Pro is now reaching individuals, families, schools, and organizations across the country and beyond. The work Ryan started in grief has become a global platform for hope. And there is so much more ahead.
Your Chapter - Coming Soon
Every person who joins Prepare U Pro adds to this story. What will your chapter be?
Start Your JourneyImpact That Speaks for Itself
Those Who Know - Trust Prepare U Pro
This curriculum is exactly what our students need - a balance between smart and informative, while interactive, funny, and engaging.
The CPA is pleased to be among the international leaders supporting Prepare U's mission to create a healthier world.
Offering Prepare U to my students was the most meaningful thing I have done in my over 25-year career in education.
AS FEATURED IN
The next chapter is yours to write.
Every person who takes the assessment, every family who watches a module together, every breakthrough - it all adds to something bigger. Join 60,000+ people who chose to grow.
5 minutes - No credit card required - Instant results