Stuart Riskin, LCSW
Experienced LCSW focused on practical change
Details
| Name | Stuart Riskin |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | California |
| Licensed in | California |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 28 |
About Stuart
Stuart Riskin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 28 years of experience who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, addiction, and life changes. He speaks plainly and treats clients as partners in the work. Stuart uses a straightforward, strengths-based style that keeps conversations practical and focused on goals.
Stuart came to social work after a first career in the entertainment business. That nontraditional path gave him experience across public and personal settings.
Background and approach
He draws on that background to help people find solutions that fit their real lives rather than one-size-fits-all answers. In sessions he listens for the story people tell about themselves and looks for ways to shift unhelpful patterns. He blends narrative ideas with client-centered conversations and concrete strategies from cognitive behavioral approaches.
He also uses emotion-focused ideas when relationships and attachment issues are central. Stuart works with concerns such as grief, trauma and abuse, parenting stress, intimacy issues, anger, and addiction. He also addresses areas like codependency, communication problems, commitment worries, and caregiver stress.
People facing career transitions, bipolar mood concerns, or compassion fatigue can bring practical problems and life goals to work on together. Therapy with Stuart emphasizes collaboration and realistic steps. He helps people name the patterns holding them back, try small changes, and build on success.
The aim is steady progress people can notice in day-to-day life.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT among the things Stuart works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Stuart among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Stuart among the ways he works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Stuart among the ways he works.
- Gottman Method: Listed by Stuart among the ways he works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Stuart among the ways he works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Stuart among the ways he works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Stuart among the ways he works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Stuart among the ways he works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Stuart among the ways he works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Stuart among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Stuart directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Stuart directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How his approaches work online
Stuart uses Narrative Therapy to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves. That approach looks for alternative storylines that reduce shame and open up new choices, which is useful for issues like grief, trauma, and identity concerns.He also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which centers the conversation on the person's experience and priorities. This style helps people feel heard and guides decisions about goals and next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is added when people want concrete tools to change thoughts and behaviors, especially for anxiety, addiction, or mood-related problems.
Finding the right combination of methods is part of the work. Stuart treats therapy as a collaboration and will help figure out which approaches fit a client's needs, goals, and preferences. He adjusts pacing and techniques based on what people find most helpful.
Online sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone meetings, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video works well for in-depth conversations, phone can be easier when bandwidth or movement is an issue, and chat or messaging suits quick check-ins or brief coaching-style work. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around work, travel, or caregiving demands.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of problems does Stuart address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, trauma and relationship or intimacy issues. He also helps with parenting strain, career transitions, ADHD and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe his therapy style?
Sessions are collaborative and practical. He combines client-centered listening with narrative work and CBT-style strategies to change unhelpful patterns.
How much clinical experience does he have?
Stuart has 28 years of experience in the helping professions, including work in both public and personal settings and a prior career in the entertainment business.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in California and practices from that state.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages or across borders?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients for online work.
What formats are available for sessions?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.
How are fees handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Stuart are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Stuart where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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