Dr. Bita Rivas

As a counselor and counselor educator, I believe mental health is a vital part of healthcare that influences our intrapersonal wellness and our interpersonal relationships. I believe that growth comes from acknowledging our vulnerabilities, strengths, and relationships with honesty in a safe space that allows up to better connect with ourselves and others.

I hold my doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision, my masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with additional training to hold several licenses in both Colorado and California. As a therapist, clinical supervisor, and faculty specializing in clinical mental health, marriage and family therapy, and addiction counseling I have over 10 years of experience with multiple licenses, my expertise lies in my direct approach to treating individuals, couples, and families.

I have a Person-Centered and Systems foundation with an integrated approach that incorporates Gestalt and Structural theories. I utilize other theoretical approaches tailored to client needs. I believe that we are influenced by systems and relationships developmentally, and that we make sense out of ourselves and the world through a lens that was often influenced by these experiences. I work with clients to identify unfinished business to create awareness and new meaning to empower clients better connect with themselves and others with autonomy and agency in a way that feels genuine and authentic.

The therapeutic relationship is an important aspect of therapy. During our first session, I strive to balance getting to know the client, couple, or family while gathering information that is important context for treatment. We will be getting to know each other to build rapport and a feeling of safety to explore what brings you in, strengths and areas of growth, current concerns, and personal and family history for goal setting and to identify how we want to use our time together. My goal is to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and informed about therapy and what it will be like to work with me on your healing and growth journey.