Dr. Valeria Rivera-Smith

I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) psychotherapist who specializes in helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Together, we'll work toward helping you feel more emotionally balanced, connected to yourself, and able to respond to life's challenges with greater clarity, flexibility, and self-compassion. Even when circumstances are outside of your control, healing can help you find more peace within yourself. As your therapist, I want you to feel safe – in a free-judgment zone where you can “feel the feelings” at your own pace and time. From our very first session, compassion is at the heart of my approach because I understand that seeking therapy often means you're already carrying emotional pain.

I understand that therapy isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” experience. Using Psychodynamic and Experiential approaches (i.e., ACT, Internal Family Systems [IFS], Mindfulness, and Somatic Therapy), I will help you address your struggle at its root, allowing you to move forward with greater clarity and emotional strength. Is not just about “fixing” the problem – it’s about building resilience, self-compassion, and a more balanced perspective on life.

I also use evidence-based methods to help individuals overcome sleep challenges and improve their sleep habits. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a highly effective treatment specifically designed to address chronic insomnia and is generally considered the first-line treatment.

We’ll work on building a trusting relationship so that you feel supported in making meaningful changes in your life. It’s not just about talking; it’s about creating actionable steps, processing emotions, and empowering yourself to move forward with confidence. I will help you reset and reconnect with your authentic self. Therapy is about self-growth, compassion, knowledge, and healing.