Stuart Riskin, LCSW
California · 28 years in practice
Stuart Riskin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 28 years of experience.
License and registration
- LCSW, California
- 22300 · expires July 2026
- NPI
- 1447518436 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 28
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.
About Stuart
Stuart Riskin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 28 years of experience. He works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, and major life changes. Stuart takes a respectful, down-to-earth approach.
He treats each person as the expert on their life and collaborates on realistic steps forward. Stuart began his career in the entertainment industry before shifting to social work. That background and years in public and personal settings shaped his practical way of helping people.
Background and approach
He draws on a mix of approaches, including Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), client-centered methods, and cognitive behavioral techniques. In sessions he focuses on emotional connection, clear communication, and practical skills. He helps people understand how feelings shape behavior and develops strategies to manage stress, cravings, or mood shifts.
He also works on relationship and intimacy-related concerns and issues like abandonment, attachment, or codependency. Stuart integrates mindfulness practices and motivational interviewing when useful to build new habits. He uses parts of the Gottman Method for communication and conflict skills.
The work is collaborative and paced to each person’s goals and readiness for change. People can expect a warm, supportive tone and straightforward guidance. Stuart favors short-term focused work when that fits, and longer-term support for deeper issues.
He welcomes people who want concrete tools and a respectful space to work through hard emotions.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Stuart lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- 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 Stuart names
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Gottman Method
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
How his approaches translate to online therapy
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and shifting emotional patterns that keep people stuck. Online sessions can be used to notice and name feelings, deepen emotional awareness, and try new ways of relating to oneself and others. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and building a trusting relationship. In remote sessions this means the therapist follows the client’s lead, reflects their experience, and creates space for honest conversation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works on changing thoughts and habits that drive distress. It often uses short, practical exercises that fit well into video or text-based formats.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Stuart will collaborate with clients to pick methods that match their goals and comfort level, and he may blend techniques over time. The process is guided by what the client finds useful and what helps them make steady progress.
Online formats offer flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited local options. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction for emotional work, phone sessions can fit into a short break, and live chat or text messaging can support quick check-ins or ongoing reflection. These options make it easier to maintain regular contact and keep momentum between sessions.
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Questions people ask
What kinds of concerns does Stuart address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, trauma, and many life changes. He also addresses relationship and intimacy struggles and parenting or caregiving stress.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
His style is warm, respectful, and collaborative. Sessions focus on emotional connection, practical skills, and the client’s own goals.
What is his professional background?
Stuart has 28 years in the helping professions and shifted into social work after a career in entertainment. He has experience in both public and personal sectors.
What are his credentials and where is he located?
He holds the LCSW credential and practices in California.
Can I meet with him in a language other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does he offer?
He works through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different schedules and needs.
How does cost and payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
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