Octave

she/her

Melissa Rivera

LMFT

Melissa Rivera avatar

Location

Virtual, California

Insurance Accepted

Anthem Blue Cross Of CA, Health Net/MHN, Aetna, Blue Shield of California

Communication Style

Affirming, Creative, Exploratory, Instructive, Open-minded

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Focus areas

Animal Loss, Anxiety, Burnout, Caregiver Burnout, Couples Therapy, Cultural Issues/Racial Stress, Depression, Family Conflict, Grief, LGBTQ+, Life Transitions, Panic, Relationship Concerns, Sleep, Stress, Workplace Stress

Experienced with

BIPOC, Students, LGBTQ+

Years of Experience

6+

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I will work with you to build and apply safe coping skills to assist in breaking through your obstacles and challenges, despite your circumstances.

License number

#105924

Therapy style

My work is with adults helps them explore their interlocking identities, discover their path, and navigate through the adjustments to new responsibilities and demands of adulthood, like enrolling in college, adjusting to school, and/or work life, moving away from family, or moving back in with family. I help adults who experience feelings of anxiety, depression, fear, or defeat from the pressures of work-life, family, relationships, self-criticism, addiction, and other co-occurring disorders. I offer support to the experiences unique to the LGBTQQIA+ community. Part of my practice is also devoted to creating a safe space and validating the often-discounted struggles of ethical vegans, animal advocates, and people who are grieving the loss of their animal family members. I will work with you to build and apply safe coping skills to assist in breaking through your obstacles and challenges, despite your circumstances.

Approaches

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Harm Reduction
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-focused
  • Strengths-based

Education

BA - Liberal Studies, Emphases in Behavioral Sciences and Education, University of California, Riverside MA - Psychology, Phillips Graduate University Internship - Casa, Women's Rehab and Sober Living, Pasadena, California Internship - Ventura County Behavioral Health, Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment, Oxnard, California Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional

Interests

I enjoy vegan cooking/baking, working on my fitness, music, all things cats, watercolor, ceramics, and travel.