Profile / United States
Nelson Rivera, LICSW, LCSW
District of Columbia
LICSW LCSW - Addictions and Trauma
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
About Nelson
Nelson Rivera is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of practice in behavioral health. He works with people facing addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship and intimacy concerns, and career stress. Sessions can be conducted in English or Spanish, and he accepts international clients.
Rivera draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test new responses. He also uses Motivational Interviewing to address ambivalence about change and Trauma-Focused Therapy for problems that trace back to past abuse or early wounds. His approach is direct and interactive rather than lecturing; he talks through patterns and practical steps with each person.
Much of his early clinical work focused on HIV/AIDS, substance use, and behavioral health. That background informs how he addresses stigma, grief, and medical challenges alongside mood and addiction issues. He emphasizes concrete skills for managing stress, mood swings, and urges linked to process and substance addictions.
Rivera combines short-term strategies and longer-term planning. He helps people set specific goals, try out different behaviors, and track what does or doesn’t work. Sessions include discussion, behavioral experiments, and homework aimed at small, achievable changes.
People meet him for help with anger, self-harm thoughts, coping with life changes, and improving communication. He also supports work on self-esteem, forgiveness, and reclaiming purpose after loss. The focus is on practical change rather than labels or diagnosis.
How CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma Work Online
Rivera uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot thinking patterns that lead to distress and try more helpful responses. CBT sessions focus on concrete skills - such as thought records, behavioral experiments, and step-by-step plans - that translate well to remote sessions.Motivational Interviewing is a conversational style he uses when someone feels stuck about change. It centers on exploring mixed feelings, amplifying personal reasons to change, and building small plans that match a person’s values.
Trauma-Focused Therapy addresses problems tied to past abuse or early-life wounds. In this work he prioritizes pacing, grounding techniques, and practical coping strategies before tackling deeper material.
Choosing the right approach is collaborative. He will review your goals, preferences, and history and then recommend one or a combination of methods. The plan can shift as progress and needs become clearer.
Confirm which session formats are offered before booking, since options are not specified in this profile. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example a shorter check-in during a lunch break, fewer travel hours, or picking a quieter time of day. These practical adjustments help people keep consistent work on thoughts, habits, and goals.
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 issues does he commonly help with?
He works with addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, stress, grief, and career concerns among others.
How does he use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
He uses CBT to identify unhelpful thoughts and test different behaviors. Sessions emphasize practical exercises and homework to change patterns over time.
What is his professional background?
He has 20 years of clinical experience, with early work focused on HIV/AIDS, substance use, and behavioral health services.
What are his credentials and location?
He holds DC LICSW and FL LCSW credentials and practices from the District of Columbia.
In which languages can sessions be held?
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 specific formats are not listed in the profile.
How is cost handled?
Fees vary by location; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.