Adam Rivas

Hello, I have a background in the field of Counseling that stretches back to the year 2006. I began my career working in a psychiatric facility and worked my way through undergrad and grad school to become a fully licensed counselor. I was fortunate to have mentors that educated me on the neurobiological aspects of Addiction which shaped one of my specialties in counseling. I also focus on Trauma related issues and grief via the use of EMDR and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Although these are my areas of focus, no topic is off the table, and you should know I am very open-minded.

I see the counseling relationship as a process in which you, the Client, and I, the Counselor, have come to an understanding to trust one another and work as a team to explore and define present problems, identify obtainable goals for an improved future, develop a plan to reach established goals, and work in a systematic fashion toward achieving these goals.

I look forward to meeting you and developing a relationship where we can achieve your goals!

In Therapy I enjoy getting to know my clients and developing rapport with them. I often use humor, when appropriate, and open-mindedness to further the development of the relationship. I find the Therapeutic process to be a conversation where we explore current issues and seek solutions together. I am direct and will give truthful feedback to my clients when appropriate, which I find helps facilitate their goals to maturation.

I believe in the use of “homework” between counseling sessions. Journaling, Letter Writing, Essays, Listing, and Positive Affirmations are just a few of the assignments I regularly utilize. In EMDR Therapy a TICES Log and Journal are mandatory assignments that I will ask a client to complete. There is no grade received for completing homework, and not every client will receive it unless needed, but the assignments are often essential to progress.

For those in the know of theoretical orientations I tend to use a mix Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Attachment Based, Solution Focused, Mindfulness, Person Centered, and Reality Therapy techniques.

It is my hope that after working with a Client, they may leave a session with new insights and/or solutions to their current problems. Therapy is a process, no one will walk away after one session and be “cured”. However, as we work together over time, the result of therapy gives my Client’s new or better ways to cope with life. As a Therapist, it is my hope to always be of service in this process to those I work with.