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MR Portrait of Maria Rivera

Maria Rivera

Compassionate LCSW guiding practical change

LCSW North Carolina

Experience
15 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Maria

About Maria

Maria Rivera is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in North Carolina who draws on 15 years of practice to guide people through difficult life experiences.

Background and approach

She centers her work on collaborative, strengths-based care that recognizes each person as the expert on their own story while offering structure, tools, and support when needed. Her background includes helping clients manage stress and anxiety, navigate addictions, and address trauma and relationship struggles.

Using evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside acceptance-based and client-centered techniques, she helps clients explore patterns of thinking and behavior, build coping skills, and clarify values to move forward. Maria also brings experience with mood disorders, grief, parenting concerns, self-esteem and body image issues, ADHD, and a broad range of family and life-stage challenges.

She encourages courageous first steps into therapy and works with people to set realistic goals and practical strategies across a variety of presenting concerns.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Adapted for Online Care



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and replacing them with more adaptive patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and many everyday challenges. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values, accept feelings that are difficult to change, and commit to actions that align with what matters most, which can be useful for coping and decision-making. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes an empathetic, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist supports the client’s own discovery and growth, useful across many presenting concerns.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Maria draws from these methods and will work together with clients to determine which combination best fits their needs, goals, and preferences rather than prescribing a single path up front. She aims to match techniques to what a person wants to change and what feels most workable for them.

Online formats - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make regular care more accessible and flexible for different schedules and life demands. These options allow people to continue therapeutic work from home, during travel, or between appointments while maintaining continuity of care with a licensed professional who adapts interventions to the chosen format.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Maria commonly address?
Her practice covers a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and family difficulties, grief, eating and body image concerns, mood disorders such as depression and bipolar, ADHD, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She blends evidence-informed methods with a strengths-focused, collaborative stance, helping clients identify patterns and develop concrete skills while honoring each person’s own knowledge about their life.
What is her professional background and experience?
Maria holds 15 years of professional experience working with diverse concerns and clinical approaches that support problem solving, behavior change, and emotional resilience.
Where is she licensed and what are her credentials?
She is a licensed clinical social worker in North Carolina with the credential NC LCSW C007456.
Does she offer services in other languages or accept international clients?
She provides services in English only and is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available for online work?
Clients can schedule video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging as part of her online practice.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a time based on the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseAnger management

Also works with

Family conflictsGriefEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

North Carolina

Languages

English