Stuart Riskin, LCSW

Stuart Riskin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 28 years in the helping professions. He aims to create a calm, respectful space where people can name what’s hard and take practical steps forward. He writes plainly and works alongside clients to set clear goals and build skills that fit daily life.

Stuart blends cognitive behavioral techniques with client-centered principles to help people change unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors. He also draws on emotionally focused methods and mindfulness when relationships or strong feelings get in the way of progress. Sessions tend to be collaborative and action-oriented, with doable homework when it helps.

His background includes years in both public and private sectors and an earlier career in the entertainment business. That varied experience shaped a flexible, down-to-earth style and a focus on practical problem solving. He treats clients as partners who know their lives best and brings tools to help them move forward.

Common areas he addresses include stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, trauma and relationship concerns. He also works with issues such as parenting strain, career decisions, self-esteem, ADHD, codependency, and challenges around commitment and communication.

Stuart offers sessions in English from California and accepts international clients. He uses a mix of video, phone, live chat, and text messaging so people can pick what fits their schedule and comfort level.

How Stuart uses evidence-informed approaches online

Stuart regularly uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, and stress because it breaks big problems into concrete skills and actions.

He also works from a client-centered stance, which means sessions begin with the person’s priorities and move at their pace. This approach emphasizes listening, empathy, and building on a person’s strengths to reach practical goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Stuart will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide whether to emphasize CBT skills, emotionally focused work for relationship patterns, or mindfulness practices to manage strong feelings.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy fit into busy lives. Video is useful when visual cues matter, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat works for shorter check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options give flexibility for scheduling and access across time zones.