Nelson Rivera, LICSW, LCSW

Nelson Rivera is a licensed social worker with more than 20 years of experience supporting people affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, and broader behavioral health concerns. He holds LICSW and LCSW credentials, which indicate that he is a licensed clinical social worker, and he completed a master’s degree at New York University while currently pursuing a PhD in Organizational Psychology. Over his career he has worked with individuals facing depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, LGBTQA+ concerns, career transitions, and multiple chronic medical conditions, and he has helped many people explore how childhood trauma continues to shape adult life.

His counseling style is described as warm, interactive, and straightforward, focused on treating people with respect, dignity, sensitivity, and compassion. He pays close attention to the links between thoughts and behaviors, using evidence-informed techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing to support change and resolve ambivalence. He avoids labeling and adapts his approach to meet each client’s unique needs, tailoring conversation and treatment plans rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions.

Nelson emphasizes partnership and empowerment, encouraging clients to take steps toward redesigning a life that fits them better. He welcomes those ready to begin that work and offers support to help them move toward their goals and greater well-being.

Therapeutic approaches for online support and healing

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying patterns of thinking that influence emotions and behaviors. Nelson uses CBT to help clients manage symptoms of anxiety and depression, address problematic habits, and develop practical skills for coping with everyday challenges. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, person-centered method that helps people explore ambivalence about change and strengthen their own motivation. This approach is useful for clients working on substance use, lifestyle shifts, or any situation where taking the next step feels difficult. Trauma-Focused Therapy centers on understanding and processing the impact of traumatic experiences, including childhood trauma, and on building strategies to reduce its ongoing effects in daily life.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Nelson works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. He adapts treatment plans over time as clients progress and as priorities evolve.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions by video call or phone allow for face-to-face conversation from different locations, while live chat and text-based messaging provide options for shorter or more frequent check-ins. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, to continue work during life transitions, and to connect with licensed professionals when in-person visits are not possible.