Nelson Rivera , LICSW, LCSW

Nelson Rivera is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 20 years of experience focused on HIV/AIDS, substance use, and behavioral health. He holds LICSW and LCSW credentials, licenses that indicate formal training and authorization to provide clinical social work services. Nelson earned his master’s degree from New York University and is currently a candidate for a PhD in Organizational Psychology.

Over his career he has worked with people facing depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, LGBTQA+ concerns, career transitions, and multiple chronic medical conditions. He has extensive experience supporting individuals who experienced childhood trauma and exploring how early experiences continue to shape adult life. His practice also addresses addictions, grief, caregiver stress, intimacy and sexual behavior concerns, mood disorders, and issues related to prejudice and discrimination.

Nelson’s counseling style is warm, interactive, and straightforward. He emphasizes respect, dignity, sensitivity, and compassion in therapeutic work and focuses on how thoughts can shape behaviors. He combines cognitive behavioral techniques with motivational interviewing to help clients move through ambivalence and toward change, and he adapts dialogue and treatment plans to meet each person’s unique needs rather than relying on labels.

Nelson acknowledges the courage it takes to seek support and aims to empower people as they redesign a life that fits them better. He welcomes the opportunity to work collaboratively with individuals who are ready to take that step.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Nelson Rivera draws on evidence-informed approaches to guide online work in accessible, practical ways. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and the behaviors that follow, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and many everyday challenges. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, nonjudgmental method for resolving ambivalence and supporting change; it is often effective for substance use, readiness for behavior change, and goal-focused work. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on understanding and processing the impacts of traumatic experiences to reduce their hold on present-day functioning and relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Nelson works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. He adapts techniques and the pace of work to respect each individual’s history and current circumstances.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how care is delivered, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and access support from different locations while working with licensed professionals and therapists who use tailored, evidence-informed methods.