Nelson Rivera , LICSW, LCSW

Nelson Rivera is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years of experience addressing HIV/AIDS, substance use, and behavioral health concerns. He holds LICSW and LCSW credentials, indicating professional licensure in clinical social work, and completed a master’s degree at New York University while currently pursuing a PhD in Organizational Psychology.

His practice includes work with a wide range of issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, LGBTQA+ concerns, career challenges, and multiple chronic medical diagnoses. He has extensive experience supporting people who experienced childhood trauma and helping them understand how early experiences can shape adult patterns and coping strategies.

Rivera’s counseling style is warm, interactive, and straightforward. He emphasizes respect, dignity, sensitivity, and compassion while focusing on how thoughts influence behaviors. He frequently uses cognitive behavioral strategies and motivational interviewing to help clients examine ambivalence and move toward meaningful change. He avoids rigid labeling and adapts conversations and treatment plans to meet each person’s unique needs.

Seeking support to redesign one’s life requires courage, and Rivera aims to provide practical support and empowerment for people ready to pursue that change. He looks forward to working with individuals committed to creating a better fit between their life and values.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, skills-focused approach that helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and learn concrete strategies to change behaviors. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and stress management.

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, nonjudgmental style that supports people working through ambivalence and finding their own reasons to change. It is often helpful for substance use, behavior change, and building internal motivation.

Nelson Rivera draws on these approaches in his online practice and works collaboratively with clients to determine the best fit. He discusses goals, preferences, and practical needs with each person and adapts methods over time so therapy aligns with what matters most to them.

Online sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone meetings, live chat, or text-based messaging, which increases flexibility for people balancing work, caregiving, or travel. These options allow therapy to continue when in-person visits are difficult and make it easier to access licensed professionals from different locations while maintaining an ongoing therapeutic relationship.