Dr. Natalia Rivera, LCSW, CSW
Warm, honest support for stress and trauma recovery
- Military and trauma experience
- Interactive collaborative therapy
- CBT and client centered
About Dr. Natalia Rivera
Dr. Natalia Rivera, DSW, LCSW, CSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in North Carolina and Georgia with 13 years of clinical experience and a 22-year career as an active duty U.S. Army Soldier, including service as an Army Officer supporting Military Treatment Facilities and community partners. Her background includes working with adults across a wide range of concerns such as depression, anxiety, parenting challenges, relationship stress, self-harm, and behavior-related difficulties, as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In the U.S. Army, her specialty focused on combat-related and military sexual trauma-related PTSD and combat operational stress.
She provides counseling for individuals ages 18 and older. She also offers behavior modification or Applied Behavioral Analysis services for children under 18 who have a neurological condition. Dr. Rivera’s style is warm, interactive, and often uses humor, while maintaining an empathetic, nonjudgmental stance grounded in acceptance and openness. She aims to offer honest feedback in a supportive way and works to foster a therapeutic relationship built on unconditional positive regard.
Her approach blends cognitive-behavioral methods with humanistic or client-centered counseling, along with reality-based and rational-emotive strategies. Treatment is collaborative and personalized, with a shared plan that can be adjusted over time as progress is tracked and goals evolve. Dr. Rivera describes therapy as a guided journey where the client sets the direction, and she helps interpret the route, troubleshoot setbacks, and return to the path that best supports the client’s chosen destination.
Her regular schedule is Monday through Friday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm (EST), with weekends out of the office, though appointments may be considered on a case-by-case basis. She typically checks messages after 5:00 pm daily and makes a best effort to respond within 24 hours. When cancellations are needed, she requests at least three days’ notice, and she also notes that the service’s cancellation policy requires at least 24 hours’ notice.
She provides counseling for individuals ages 18 and older. She also offers behavior modification or Applied Behavioral Analysis services for children under 18 who have a neurological condition. Dr. Rivera’s style is warm, interactive, and often uses humor, while maintaining an empathetic, nonjudgmental stance grounded in acceptance and openness. She aims to offer honest feedback in a supportive way and works to foster a therapeutic relationship built on unconditional positive regard.
Her approach blends cognitive-behavioral methods with humanistic or client-centered counseling, along with reality-based and rational-emotive strategies. Treatment is collaborative and personalized, with a shared plan that can be adjusted over time as progress is tracked and goals evolve. Dr. Rivera describes therapy as a guided journey where the client sets the direction, and she helps interpret the route, troubleshoot setbacks, and return to the path that best supports the client’s chosen destination.
Her regular schedule is Monday through Friday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm (EST), with weekends out of the office, though appointments may be considered on a case-by-case basis. She typically checks messages after 5:00 pm daily and makes a best effort to respond within 24 hours. When cancellations are needed, she requests at least three days’ notice, and she also notes that the service’s cancellation policy requires at least 24 hours’ notice.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Additional Focus Areas
Adoption and foster careBlended family issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dr. Natalia Rivera have?
Dr. Natalia Rivera has 13 years of experience.
Is Dr. Natalia Rivera a licensed therapist?
Yes. Dr. Natalia Rivera holds the credentials LCSW and CSW. License details: NC LCSW C009986, GA LCSW CSW006608.
In which languages does Dr. Natalia Rivera provide therapy?
Dr. Natalia Rivera provides therapy in English.
Where is Dr. Natalia Rivera located?
Dr. Natalia Rivera is located in Georgia.
How can I work with Dr. Natalia Rivera as my therapist?
You can work with Dr. Natalia Rivera through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Dr. Natalia Rivera work with international clients?
Dr. Natalia Rivera does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dr. Natalia Rivera cost?
The cost of therapy can vary based on factors like your location and the therapist’s availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the “Start Therapy” button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the “Start Therapy” button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Evidence-Based Tools, Personalized for Online Therapy
Dr. Natalia Rivera draws from several structured, skills-based approaches that translate well to online care. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and actions, helping clients notice unhelpful patterns and practice more workable responses for concerns like anxiety, depression, and stress.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) supports clients in making room for difficult thoughts and feelings while taking steps toward what matters most. It can be especially helpful when someone feels stuck, overwhelmed, or caught in cycles of avoidance, and it emphasizes values-based choices and practical coping strategies.
She also incorporates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an approach often used to work through the impact of distressing experiences by helping the brain process memories in a more adaptive way, which can be relevant for trauma and related stress reactions.
Finding the right fit is part of the work. Dr. Rivera collaborates with clients to clarify goals, understand preferences, and adjust the approach over time so therapy feels both supportive and effective.
Online sessions make it easier to access care in a format that fits real life. Clients can connect through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing flexibility for busy schedules, changing needs, and different comfort levels with communication.
Ready to start therapy with Dr. Natalia Rivera?
Take the first step toward a better you.