About Nelson
Nelson Rivera is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience in behavioral health. He works with people facing addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship strain, and anger. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish and he sees international clients as well.
Rivera has worked a long time with HIV/AIDS, substance use, and other chronic health concerns. He has supported people living with mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and process addictions such as gambling or problematic pornography. He also helps people dealing with grief, caregiver stress, and the shame or guilt that can follow trauma.
His approach combines cognitive behavioral ideas with motivational interviewing and trauma-focused methods. That means he talks through patterns of thinking and behavior, looks at what keeps people stuck, and addresses how past trauma can show up now. He aims to be direct and practical in sessions, focusing on steps a person can try between meetings.
Rivera trained at New York University and is currently a PhD candidate in organizational psychology. Over two decades he has worked in settings that concentrate on HIV/AIDS and substance use, giving him broad experience with overlapping health and mental health needs.
People who come to him for anger often want clearer ways to respond to frustration, handle resentment, or manage impulsive reactions. He helps clients identify triggers, practice new responses, and set realistic goals for change.
How his approaches translate to online work
Nelson Rivera uses cognitive behavioral ideas and motivational interviewing alongside trauma-focused methods. Cognitive behavioral work looks at how thoughts affect actions and practices small behavior changes. Motivational interviewing focuses on resolving mixed feelings and building the motivation to change. Trauma-focused methods address how past experiences continue to shape reactions and help people learn different ways to respond when triggers appear.Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. Rivera will talk with each person about goals, what feels most useful, and what methods make sense for their situation. Together they decide which techniques to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, avoid travel time, or use a shorter check-in when schedules are tight. It also allows therapists to use worksheets, behavioral experiments, and motivational exercises across sessions to support change.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Florida, District of Columbia, Maryland
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he work with related to anger?
He works with anger alongside related issues such as addiction, trauma, relationship problems, resentment, impulsivity, and stress.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He uses a direct, interactive approach that focuses on thoughts and behaviors and practical steps between sessions.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 20 years of experience in behavioral health, including long-term work with HIV/AIDS and substance use.
What credentials and location are listed?
He holds DC LICSW and FL LCSW credentials and practices from the District of Columbia.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish, and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking as the biography does not list specific session formats.
How does pricing work for sessions?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.