Nelson Rivera, LICSW, LCSW

Nelson Rivera is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 20 years of experience in HIV/AIDS care, substance use treatment, and behavioral health. He holds both LICSW and LCSW credentials - LICSW means Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and LCSW means Licensed Clinical Social Worker - and has a master's degree from New York University. He is also a candidate for a PhD in Organizational Psychology, bringing a broad understanding of individual and system-level influences on wellbeing.

Nelson has worked with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, LGBTQA+ issues, career transitions, and multiple chronic medical diagnoses. He has extensive experience supporting people affected by childhood trauma and exploring how early experiences can shape patterns in adulthood. His clinical work also covers addictions, grief, intimacy and sexual health, caregiver stress, and mood disorders among other challenges.

His counseling style is described as warm, interactive, and straightforward. He emphasizes respect, dignity, sensitivity, and compassion while helping people examine how thoughts influence behaviors. Nelson integrates cognitive behavioral techniques and motivational interviewing to help clients move through ambivalence and develop practical strategies for change. He adapts his dialogue and treatment plan to fit each person's unique needs rather than relying on rigid labels.

Nelson frames therapy as a collaborative process that supports people in redesigning lives that better fit their values and goals. He encourages courageous steps toward change and aims to empower clients to make sustainable adjustments that reflect their priorities.