Stuart Riskin, LCSW

Stuart Riskin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 28 years in the helping professions. He brings a calm, down-to-earth style and meets people where they are. He focuses on concerns such as stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, and grief. Many clients come for help with parenting, career strain, ADHD, or major life changes.

His path into social work began after a first career in the entertainment business. That nontraditional route gave him varied real-world experience in both public and independent sectors. Those years inform how he listens and helps people make practical changes.

In sessions he treats clients as partners. The approach is supportive, respectful, and strength-based. He emphasizes collaboration so clients can use their own knowledge to guide change.

Clinically, he draws on client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral ideas, emotionally-focused work, the Gottman Method for relationship patterns, and mindfulness practices. He aims to blend these tools to match each person’s goals.

Stuart’s style is straightforward and occasionally lighthearted. He believes lasting change comes from small, intentional steps taken together. People who want a practical, experience-informed guide often find his way of working helpful.

He practices in California and offers services in English. He welcomes inquiries from international clients as well and can discuss next steps when contacted.

How his approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience and priorities, so online sessions focus on what matters most to the client and follow their pace and goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and uses practical exercises; online work can include homework and short skill-building exercises between sessions. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people notice and name emotions to change interaction patterns, which can be useful when working through relationship or intimacy concerns over video or phone.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Stuart works together with each client to decide which methods match their goals, needs, and comfort level. He adapts tools over time so sessions stay useful and relevant.

The main practical benefit of online sessions is fitting therapy into everyday life - making it easier to schedule around work, caregiving, or travel. Online work can also allow shorter check-ins when needed or sessions without video if bandwidth is limited. Because specific session formats are not listed in the biography, confirm available formats before booking to make sure they match your needs.