Therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp. We will earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you use our links to purchase.

Gerard Riconda

Gerard Riconda

LCSW

New York

Continue with Gerard

Empathic, practical therapy for anxiety and life changes

  • 28 years experience
  • New York based
  • Works in English

About Gerard

Gerard Riconda is a licensed clinical social worker with 28 years of experience. He helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, panic, stress, grief, or big life changes. Gerard writes in plain terms and focuses on what a person needs now. He aims to listen closely and respond with empathy.

Gerard trained at Fordham University School of Social Service where he earned a master's degree in social work. Early in his career he worked with families and children in the foster care system and later provided medical social work in a rehabilitation hospital. That work included supporting amputees and people recovering from stroke and head injury.

Most of his career has been spent supporting people with complicated or hard-to-reach presentations and a wide range of diagnoses. He lists anxiety, mood disorders, trauma and abuse, obsessive-compulsive concerns, ADHD, and stress among his areas of focus. Gerard also addresses career strain, relationship difficulties, and compassion fatigue.

His main strength is empathy. He believes there is no single method that fits everyone, so he and the client decide together what will help. Gerard pulls from several approaches such as acceptance and commitment strategies, cognitive work, client-centered techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, and EMDR where appropriate.

He works in New York and provides services in English. People who want to start can expect straightforward, practical conversations that focus on daily life and workable steps forward.

Online approaches that match real-life needs

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters most to them and take small steps toward those values while accepting difficult thoughts and emotions. It can be useful for anxiety, panic, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and changing behaviors that keep problems going, which often helps with panic, obsessive thoughts, and mood issues. Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening and building a trusting relationship so the person feels heard and can explore choices without judgment.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Gerard will work with each person to try methods that fit their goals and preferences. Together they will check what is helping and adjust the plan as needed rather than following a single script.

Confirm the therapist's current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let someone use video or audio depending on how they prefer to connect. Gerard draws on ACT, CBT and client-centered methods to shape practical steps that fit everyday life.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

Relationship issuesGriefAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Antisocial personalityBody imageCo-morbidityCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessFamily problemsFirst responder issuesImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)HypnotherapyMindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

28+ years

Listed in

New York

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Gerard commonly address?

He works with stress, anxiety and panic-related issues along with mood disorders, trauma and grief. He also supports people with relationship strain, career stress, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

What is his therapy style like?

He emphasizes empathy and straightforward conversation. Gerard favors a collaborative approach and tailors methods to each person's needs.

How much clinical experience does he have?

Gerard has 28 years of clinical experience, including work in foster care and medical social work in a rehabilitation hospital.

What credentials and location are listed?

He holds an LCSW license and practices in New York.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English only.

Can international clients work with him?

International clients are not currently accepted.

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 Gerard?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Whenever you are ready

Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp, in your own time.

Continue with Gerard

Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Chest pain, trouble breathing or new physical symptoms should be checked by a doctor. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

Back to all therapists

Continue with Gerard