Daniela Rivas

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a diverse clinical background supporting individuals across various stages of life. I began my career providing counseling services to high school students in California’s Central Valley and later worked within the legal system for over two years. My experience also includes inpatient mental health settings, where I provided crisis intervention services, as well as outpatient work on a mobile response team supporting individuals experiencing acute emotional distress.

As a mother of a young child, I developed a deep passion for perinatal and postpartum mental health, which has become a primary area of specialization over the past two years. My professional training combined with personal experience allows me to offer compassionate, practical, and supportive care to individuals navigating pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, parenting challenges, life transitions, anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm.

I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, supported, and empowered in their healing process.

My therapeutic approach is integrative, meaning I draw from several evidence-based practices to best support each client’s unique needs and goals. I believe therapy should feel collaborative, supportive, and tailored to the individual, while also providing practical tools for meaningful growth and change.

I commonly incorporate the following approaches into my work:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps clients understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thought patterns, develop healthier perspectives, and build practical coping strategies to improve daily functioning and emotional well-being.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): I use DBT-informed techniques to help clients strengthen emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. This approach can be especially helpful for individuals experiencing overwhelming emotions, stress, or relationship difficulties.

Motivational Interviewing (MI): Using a collaborative and nonjudgmental style, I help clients explore ambivalence and strengthen their motivation for change. MI supports clients in making meaningful decisions and moving forward at a pace that feels manageable and empowering.

Narrative Therapy: Narrative Therapy encourages clients to explore the stories they tell themselves about their lives and experiences. I help clients identify strengths, separate themselves from their challenges, and create more compassionate and empowering narratives.

I tailor these approaches to fit each client’s experiences, strengths, and goals, creating a therapeutic space that balances emotional support with practical strategies for healing, self-awareness, and lasting change.

In our first session, clients can expect a supportive, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment where we begin getting to know each other. I’ll ask questions about what brings you to therapy, your current concerns, and any relevant personal history so I can better understand your experiences, strengths, and goals.

There is no pressure to share everything right away—we will move at a pace that feels comfortable and safe for you. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and supported from the very beginning.

During the first session, we’ll also discuss what you hope to gain from therapy and begin identifying initial goals together. I’ll explain my therapeutic approach, answer any questions you may have about the process, and work with you to ensure therapy feels collaborative and tailored to your needs.

The first session is about building a strong foundation for our work together and helping you feel more comfortable taking the next steps in your healing.