Stuart Riskin, LCSW

Stuart Riskin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 28 years of experience. He works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, depression, trauma, grief, parenting challenges, ADHD, and blended family issues. Stuart frames therapy as a practical collaboration rather than a lecture.

He came to social work after an earlier career in the entertainment industry. That career change and subsequent work in public and private settings gave him broad life experience and clinical knowledge. He draws on those years to help people handle everyday challenges and longer-term transitions.

Stuart describes clients as the experts on their own lives. He uses a strength-based, supportive approach and focuses on simple, actionable steps people can try between sessions. Conversations are direct and respectful, aimed at helping clients make conscious choices that shift behavior over time.

He combines practical techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy with skills from emotionally-focused and client-centered approaches. Mindfulness practices and elements from the Gottman Method may appear when relevant to relationship or intimacy topics. The emphasis stays on what the client wants to change and how to get there.

Stuart also addresses issues that overlap with family life, such as communication problems, co-parenting tensions, commitment questions, and the specific stresses that come with blended households. He works with adults to build clearer routines, reduce conflict, and manage the emotional strains of merging households.

To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Cost varies with location and sessions use a cancellable subscription model.