About me

I am a licensed clinical social worker licensed in North Carolina and Georgia with over 12 years of experience working as an active duty Army Officer in Military Treatment Facilities and community partners. I provide counseling services for teens 13 - 19 years of age, with concerns such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, problems at school, parent-child problems , behavior problems, emotional problems, substance abuse problems, stress, relationship difficulties, and traumatic experiences (PTSD).

My counseling style is warm, humorous, and interactive. I am empathetic and nonjudgmental, and I strive to create a therapeutic environment rooted in acceptance, openness, and unconditional positive regard. However, I am also realistic and honest, and I will always tell you and your child the truth, but in a kind and supportive way. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic or client-centered, reality and rational-emotive counseling. I will work collaboratively with you and your child to create a treatment plan to meet their unique and specific needs and together we will track their progress and revise the treatment plan when necessary. I am a solution focused therapist, so my goal is to get your child out of therapy, so they can enjoy a better quality of life using the tools taught in therapy to problem solve and emotionally regulate on their own.

There are no "bad" children, just misunderstood and they need to be seen and heard. The only way for them to learn respect for others and themselves, is for us as adults to respect them, regardless of their age.
My regular schedule is:
Monday - Friday: 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM (EST)
Saturday & Sun: Out of the office (Appointments may be considered on a case-by-case basis)

I typically check my messages after 5 PM every day (sometimes more) and try to respond within 24 hours of your message, but this is not always possible, but I will do my best to give a timely response.

Please note: Periodically my schedule may change. I try to be as flexible as I can when there are specific appointment requests, and we can always discuss other convenient times when I may be able to open up a one-time slot on another day.

MY CANCELLATION POLICY
Just a quick message to inform you about my cancellation policy. Your appointments and well-being are very important to me, and I understand that sometimes, unexpected delays can occur, making schedule adjustments. If you need to cancel your appointment, I respectfully request at least three days’ notice. Appointments are in high demand, and your advanced notice will allow another client access to that appointment time.
Please note: It is Betterhelp’s cancellation policy that you cancel at least 24 hours before the appointment.

I look forward to working with you!

V/R
Dr. Natalia R. Rivera, DSW, LCSW, CADC


Specialties

  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Trauma, Abuse
  • Anger management
  • Self esteem, Motivation
  • Depression
Also experienced in:
Grief , Sleeping disorders , Parenting issues , Coping with life changes , Adoption and Foster Care , Communication problems , Control issues , Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster , Domestic Violence , Read more...

Clinical approaches:
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

Years of Experience: 13

Services offered


  • Messaging

  • Live Chat

  • Phone

  • Video

Licensing

NC LCSW C009986

GA LCSW CSW006608


Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Natalia Rivera. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Teen Counseling might be different.

Written on Mar 03, 2024 after therapy with Natalia for 2 years and 1 month

Been great for my daughter

Written on Mar 13, 2023 after therapy with Natalia for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and parenting issues

Dr. Rivera is simply AMAZING, I’m so grateful for her

Written on Sep 22, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts

Dr. Natalia has a real-world view of the problems we face in today's society. She is very capable of seeing different sides of the same problem and bringing people together to focus on solutions. I particularly enjoy the lack of psychological jargon, slogans, and off-the-shelf solutions. She is creative in her examples and brilliantly infuses humor when broaching challenging subjects. Dr. Natalia's life experience coupled with her genuine desire to help people makes her an ideal mental health professional for most of us. She is however not for everyone! If you are not genuinely seeking growth, change, or improvement and are ready to do the work towards agreed-upon goals, she will recommend another professional for your journey.

Written on Aug 13, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, compassion fatigue, and adhd

You're the best therapist I've ever had. And I appreciate all you have helped me through! Very much made a mark in my life

Written on Aug 01, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, sleeping disorders, self esteem, compassion fatigue, and adhd

She do an amazing job! She knows what She is doing!

Written on May 27, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes

Natalia is just was I was looking for in a therapist. She listens, gives sound advice, and helps you create a structured plan for yourself. I would definitely recommend her to my loved ones.

Written on May 25, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching,

She has been a great support through some of the toughest times. I highly recommend Natalia and teencounseling.com.

Written on May 23, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and self esteem

It’s only been three weeks and I am enjoying our sessions thus far. I look forward to our continuous sessions and getting me to my place of healing.

Written on May 10, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks

Natalia is excellent at her craft. She is great at communicating with myself and my child to help us both understand each other’s perspective. I enjoy working with her, and I look forward to gaining further knowledge on improving communication with my child to make better gains.

Written on May 03, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life

This is my first time having a therapist and I honestly can’t ask for someone better. Natalia is not only professional and knowledgeable, she is very relatable. She is helping me view things in a different way and making me realized I have the power to turn around things. She is GOLD!

Written on Mar 03, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, and anger management

Natalia is an amazing, thoughtful, intelligent and honest therapist. She opens my eyes to many different kinds of point of views and helps me tremendously. I fully recommend working with her.

Written on Feb 23, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and career difficulties

Natalia has been such a great help to me. She has taught me great coping strategies. She listens when I talk and responds as if she has truly heard and understood what I said. I don't think I would have made it through my ordeal if I had not found Natalia as my therapist.

Written on Feb 23, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes

She is dedicated, sharp, direct, and passionate. She is ready to help at a moments notice and sees things through to completion. I’m lucky to get to work with her.

Written on Jan 31, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 11 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, eating disorders, and compassion fatigue

She’s wonderful

Written on Jan 01, 2022 after therapy with Natalia for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, and coping with life changes

Wouldn't have gotten through this crazy year without Natalia. So grateful for her!!

Written on Dec 23, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, and adhd

Natalia is everything I needed in a therapist. She makes me feel heard and helps in exactly the right ways. Couldn’t recommend her enough.

Written on Aug 11, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and relationship issues

She’s the best

Written on Aug 10, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and self esteem

I have only had three sessions with Natalia but I have learned so much already. I love her funny not so serious approach it makes you calmer and it makes the session more enjoyable. I also love that she really tells you how it is. SHE IS GREAT!!!

Written on Jul 30, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and anger management

Natalia is very funny and it feels good to laugh and make light of the situations we speak about. I love that Natalia holds me accountable which is important to me in a counselor.

Written on Jul 25, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and coping with life changes

A therapist who will listen to all your concerns and help build a plan to tackle them just for you.

Written on Jul 20, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 3 months on issues concerning depression, and stress, anxiety

Natalia has been so incredibly helpful to me. She's empowered me, helped me with my anxiety and gives me tools to help myself. She's smart, funny, relatable and I feel heard when I'm in session with her.

Written on Jul 09, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes

I have been really happy with Natalia. She has been very supportive of me. I am so glad to have connected with her.

Anita Sunseri

Written on Jun 16, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coping with life changes

Natalia has gone above and beyond for me as a client. Not only did she help me navigate an impossibly stressful time in my life, she did so with compassion, care, humanity, and a much-needed sense of humor. She has always made me feel seen, heard, and — above all else — genuinely accepted for exactly who I am. I literally cannot recommend her enough to anyone considering her as a counselor. If you want a genuine human being in your corner who is dedicated to helping you reach your goals, Natalia is that person.

Written on May 23, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 4 months on issues concerning family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and grief

I enjoy talking with Natalia Rivera. I have been to other throughput my life and none have compared to her and that is good.

Written on May 22, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and sleeping disorders

Natalia has helped me see parts of myself that I did not realize before. I feel more able to understand my thought processes and how to work through them. I look forward to our conversations every week.

Written on Apr 28, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coping with life changes

I recently started working with Natalia but it has already been a fantastic expirence. She listens to everything I have to say and really provides me with an honest perspective and useful solutions. She always has me laughing which is a solution in its self. I greatly look forward to our sessions and I am excited to keep working with her. She is also great a responding to messages and is transparent with her policies.

Written on Apr 12, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes

She was so nice and really listened to me as I was talking and working through things, she asked me questions I hadn’t thought to ask myself.

Written on Apr 12, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, anger management, career difficulties, and compassion fatigue

She is warm and friendly very easy to talk too !

Written on Apr 05, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and self esteem

So far this has been amazing. My counselor did miss a meeting this morning but honestly doesn’t bother me much. She’s a busy woman and it’s an exception that is well worth her services.

Written on Apr 01, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes

Natalia is very professional and easy to talk to

Written on Mar 30, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, anger management, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd

Natalia is the therapist everyone needs. She strikes that perfect balance of expert professional who can get you pass the surface level and to the deep issues you need to address and an amazing best friend who cheers you on to pursue your wins and successes. I am thankful to have her as my therapist at such a pivotal moment in my life. Big fearless decisions take clarity and someone helping you assess the pro and cons...I am grateful to Natalia as the expert helping me find courage and clarity to make BIG FEARLESS DECISIONS!!!

Written on Mar 06, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and compassion fatigue

Natalia has been a wonderful counselor. I have a strong personality and I feel that she was able to match me so well, challenge me, and offer me new insights into situations I was dealing with in my life. She listened to me and we laughed together, and I always looked forward to our sessions. She helped me face situations honestly and made me hold a mirror up to myself.
I wish she could be my counselor for the rest of my life. I would recommend her to anyone in my life (and in fact, I have!)

Written on Feb 06, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes

I have social anxiety and she did her best to work with me in the level of comfort that I'm okay with. With a sprinkle of Marvel/DC rivalry debate and humor, she was able to have me open up when I'm ready.

Written on Jan 26, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks

I love her. We clicked instantly. She talks to you unbiased and is 100% real no sugar coating!

Written on Jan 19, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue

Happy that I’ve met her. Excited for the process

Written on Jan 01, 2021 after therapy with Natalia for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety

Natalia is great! I was kind of shocked that we instantly clicked. I feel like she completely gets where I’m coming from and what my concerns are. I’m extremely happy to have gotten here for my counselor.

Work with me!