Vicky Risis, LCSW
Child and Teen Therapist
Adult Psychotherapist
NJ Lic. #44SC06636100
Vicky Risis, LCSW is a dedicated and experienced anxiety therapist who works with adults, adolescents, and children struggling with anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), life transitions, relationship challenges, and other emotional concerns. She has extensive experience across a variety of clinical settings and is committed to helping clients develop practical skills, build resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change.
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Vicky utilizes evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders. She specializes in treating OCD and anxiety across the lifespan and tailors treatment to each client's unique needs, strengths, and goals.
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Vicky leads with a warm, collaborative, and goal-oriented approach. She helps clients navigate anxiety, perfectionism, and challenges related to work, school, and family life. While she believes a strong therapeutic relationship is essential, she also believes therapy should provide more than support alone. She works collaboratively with clients to identify patterns that keep them stuck and teaches practical, evidence-based strategies that can be applied in everyday life. Her goal is to help clients manage anxiety more effectively, increase psychological flexibility, and move toward valued goals that may currently be limited by fear, avoidance, or self-doubt.
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In addition to her work with adults, Vicky has extensive experience helping children and adolescents manage anxiety and OCD with ERP therapy. She uses developmentally appropriate strategies to engage younger clients and collaborates closely with parents, teachers, and other healthcare professionals to support progress across settings.
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Vicky strives to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel understood, empowered, and equipped with the tools needed to achieve lasting growth and change.
Education
Vicky received her undergraduate degree in Art Therapy from Bowling Green University, where she developed a deep understanding of the therapeutic benefits of creative expression. She went on to pursue a Master's in Social Work from Case Western University, where she honed her clinical skills. Vicky then completed additional training and supervision in cognitive (CT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to provide her clients with evidence-based care.
Experience
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Clinician, Anxiety Institute- Prior to joining Quiet Mind CBT, Vicky was a member of the clinical team at the Anxiety Institute, an intensive outpatient program specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and depression in adolescents and young adults. In this role, she provided intensive Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and anxiety disorders, while further developing her expertise in evidence-based therapies for complex mental health conditions. Her work focused on helping clients build effective coping skills, increase resilience, and achieve meaningful improvements in their daily functioning and overall well-being.
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Clinician, Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau- provided individual and group therapy to children in a residential treatment center. In addition to her clinical work, Vicky helped create supportive and therapeutic environments to foster healing and growth.
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Social worker, Creative Adoptions- supporting families through the international adoption process. This included guiding families before, during and after adoption, and helping families navigate the complex emotional and practical challenges that can arise.
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Clinician, Riverside Hospital- provided individual and family therapy to youths aged 5-21 in an inpatient psychiatric unit.
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Therapist, Infant and Child Learning Center at SUNY Downstate- conducted evaluations and provided therapeutic services to children and their families going through the CPSE system.