Gerard Riconda

Gerard Riconda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 28 years of experience. He helps people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anger, anxiety, or major life changes. Gerard listens with empathy and aims to make sessions straightforward and useful for everyday life.

He trained at Fordham University School of Social Service and began his career working with families and children in the foster care system. Early work also included a role as a medical social worker in a rehabilitation hospital, supporting amputees and people recovering from stroke and head injury.

Most of Gerard's practice has involved people with complex or hard-to-reach needs across many diagnoses. He says no single approach fits everyone, and he chooses methods with each person based on their goals. Gerard uses techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and client-centered therapy.

In a typical session he listens for what feels most pressing, then works with the person to set clear, manageable goals. He offers practical tools for coping, improving communication, and reducing reactivity. Gerard also supports people dealing with grief, relationship strain, career stress, and issues tied to self-esteem.

Sessions are conducted in English and are based in New York. He describes his work as collaborative - clients and he choose the path together. If someone wants to start, they complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to availability.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being driven by them, then focus on actions that match their values. ACT can help with anxiety, anger, and life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behavior and uses step-by-step strategies to reduce symptoms like worry or low mood. CBT is useful for stress, depression, and many mood concerns. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) works with distressing memories by processing them in a structured way and can be helpful for trauma-related symptoms.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Gerard collaborates with each person to choose techniques that match their needs, goals, and comfort. He adapts methods over time so sessions stay focused and relevant to what the person wants to change.

Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, for example by saving travel time or allowing shorter check-ins during a workday. It also makes it simpler to keep continuity when schedules shift. Gerard uses his clinical approaches to guide practical exercises, at-home skill practice, and focused discussion in ways that work well across different setups.