Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Chesapeake, VA

I’m glad that we’ve found each other. My name is Arianne and I've been partnering with individuals navigating the challenges and working towards the life each person hopes for themselves. When life feels like it is too much to handle, you might know what you need to do, but actually starting can feel scary. It's hard to move forward when you're stuck in negative thoughts. You understand your struggles and story better than anyone else and I am here to work alongside you to restore your calm.

I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner with a PhD, and I've spent ten years working with people who are genuinely tired of feeling like they should have figured this out by now. I work virtually with clients throughout Virginia, and I take a different approach than most therapists: I consider myself part clinician, part teacher. My goal isn't just for you to feel better in session — it's for you to leave understanding yourself well enough that you don't need me forever. I work with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use, trauma, life transitions, and end-of-life concerns. I'm also a proud affirming provider for LGBTQ+ clients and believe good therapy should be accessible to everyone — which is why I've built in morning, afternoon, and evening availability.

Seasons change and so do we. I believe that strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful change. With experience in schools, hospitals, and community mental health, I create a supportive space where you feel seen and heard. Using a person-centered approach, CBT, and mindfulness, I’ll help you reframe thoughts, set goals, and build tools for lasting growth.

My personal journey was not one I would choose. My first husband was diagnosed with cancer in September 2004 and died in February 2006. The experience of spousal caregiving and young widowhood, and 10 years as a federal Special Agent eventually led me to change careers to become a counselor.

I love helping individuals and couples build meaning, self-acceptance, and self-worth despite grief, trauma, shame, and problematic behavior and relationship patterns.

I’ve been working in the mental health field for nearly a decade and bring a deep commitment to helping individuals heal, grow, and thrive. I hold a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Marshall University in Huntington, WV. These academic foundations, combined with years of hands-on experience, have shaped my compassionate, informed, and client-centered approach to therapy.

Most recently I was serving as a Licensed Clinical Therapist where I provided individual and group therapy in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adults facing complex mental health and substance use challenges. I am currently working at a small group practice treating adults with stress, anxiety, depression, ptsd, and more. I hold sessions on the weekend and in the morning one a week.

At the heart of my practice is a belief in the power of authentic connection. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where clients feel empowered to explore difficult emotions, build insight, and take meaningful steps toward lasting change.

Dr. Rivera employs an integrative style that focuses on the individual's sleep, diet, physical and mental fitness. He enjoys working in particular with weight loss, men's wellness, de-prescription from psychotropic medications, and detox from long-term substance use: tobacco, alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines. Furthermore, he specializes in the diagnosis and management of attention, mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders.