Mark Rivera, MS Counseling Psy, AMFT

What should your client know about you?

As a first-generation Hispanic American born in the US, first to serve in the United States military service (NAVY), and first to earn a master’s degree in my family there have been many experiences and mistakes that I have been able to learn from and how to use that to help others through their journeys. My understanding of psychotherapy thus far and its relation to the here and now has a strong foundation and is continuously in progress.

What is your approach to therapy?

I mostly use CBT therapy with Solution Focused Therapy. Encourage clients to share thoughts on their diagnosis, their feelings, and frustrations without being judged and always providing validation to build and strengthen rapport. Self-discovery and self-acceptance are encouraged. Clients are guided to build confidence and trust within, find the best solution for themselves, and be encouraged and supported in making necessary modifications to help them increase their quality of life.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Clients can feel that they are in a safe space and in a place were they feel heard, validated, and part of the solution.

What was your path on becoming a therapist?

From growing up in a pastoral/missionary Christian home, helping others has always been a part of my life that over the years become a lifestyle. Compassion, understanding, and being a channel that provides an outlet for others to vent. Working with behavior intervention in the ABA field serving clients in the Autism spectrum from ages 4 to 35 for 9 years helped me see other perspectives that are essential to our mental health in the bigger scope. That served as the motivation to go back to school get my masters in counseling psychology and become a marriage and family therapist.