Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Riskin, Ph.D.
Michael, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
While in graduate school, I did a required year of volunteer work at a non-profit agency. It was at the Los Angeles Sex Information Helpline. I enjoyed this experience very much, helping other people with a variety of sexual concerns. I found myself completely non-judgmental and able to provide valuable service to the public who wished to remain anonymous. Of course, I learned a great deal from this experience including group training by qualified experts in human sexuality.
After graduate school I did the required two years of internship that is necessary for state licensure as a psychotherapist. I was gradually assigned increased numbers of case involving sexual concerns due to my interest in this specialty and a recognition by my supervisors of the specials skills I was acquiring.
Upon licensure, I started a private practice, with an emphasis on sexuality. I love life. For decades now, it is unusual for a work day to pass without my learning something new, or developing a new technique for problem solving. Sexual and pornography addition has dramatically increased due to the ease of finding material on the internet and comprises a growing portion of the business.
I plan to work as long as I am physically and mentally able to me. It is my vision of retirement.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my specialties is the use of surrogate partners. When locating my practice in Orange County, a very conservative area, I needed to do a great deal of education to local professionals in the ethical, practical, and effective use of surrogate partner therapy. It has been quite successful.
Please tell us about Sex Therapy Center of Orange County.
One of the factors that sets us apart is that a majority of our new patients come from other professionals and prior clientele. I am also very proud to being selected as the only non-medical professional as a member of the Orange County Urological Society.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite child memory was watching the Brooklyn Dodgers win the world series, beating the hated Yankees.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1913 East 17th Street #107
Santa Ana, CA 92705 - Website: sextherapycenter.org
- Phone: 714 953 9882
- Email: drmriskin@aol.com
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