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Headshot of Carla Rivera, LCSW

Carla Rivera

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Accepts

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey

Specializes in

Trauma

Great to meet you!

I believe that our past experiences mold us, and my journey to becoming a therapist is a story of resilience, adventure, and passion. Like many, I faced personal trauma that gifted me with empathy and the drive to uplift others. Before diving into therapy, I served in the Army, which taught me discipline, patience, and the value of trust. I embraced EMDR and sex therapy training to enhance the depth of my practice. Rapport is a huge part of therapy, and I’m dedicated to build that with you.

A bit about my approach to therapy

I believe my clients are the experts of their own lives. I respect your knowledge, experiences, and opinions. If you ask me to push you out of your comfort zone, I’m happy to oblige. If I sense you're holding back, I’m not afraid to gently nudge you to explore those difficult emotions with empathy and compassion. I believe humor is a powerful tool in the therapeutic process. I use silence as a therapeutic tool and give you the time to process your feelings without interruption or distraction.

What you can expect from our first session

I'll do my best to help you pinpoint your goals and uncover the most effective solutions to achieve them. I work with clients from all walks of life, adopting a nonjudgmental approach. Trusting the person with whom you share your life story is essential, and I'll always ensure you feel safe with me. I'm a firm believer in thinking "outside the box," understanding that each person is unique and that solutions should never be a "one size fits all" approach.


Carla's style is

Affirming
Empowering
Solution-oriented

Insurance carriers Carla accepts

Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey

More about Carla

MSW (Master of Social Work) at University of New England
License type: LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) (North Carolina)
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Languages: English
Works with: Adults and Seniors
More specialties: Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, OCD, Family Issues, LGBTQIA+, Stress, Cultural & Ethnic Issues, Grief, Loss, Men's Issues, Relationship Issues, Women's Issues, Identity Issues, PTSD, and Transgender Issues
Modalities: Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), and Exposure Response Prevention