I am a licensed clinical social worker licensed in North Carolina and Georgia with over 12 years of experience working as an active duty Army Officer in Military Treatment Facilities and community partners. In my 22 years as an active duty Army Soldier, I have worked with clients of different ages with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, self-harm, conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In the U.S. Army my specialty was combat and military sexual trauma-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Combat Operational Stress. I currently provide counseling services for individuals over 18 years of age, but I also provide behavior modification or Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy for children under 18 who are diagnosed with a neurological condition. My counseling style is warm, humorous, and interactive. I am empathetic and nonjudgmental, and I strive to create a therapeutic environment rooted in acceptance, openness, and unconditional positive regard. However, I am also realistic and honest, and I will always tell you the truth, but in a kind and supportive way. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic or client-centered, reality and rational-emotive counseling. I will work collaboratively with you to create a treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs and together we will track your progress and revise the treatment plan when necessary. In our journey together, you will be the driver and I will be the passenger reading your map. Sometimes we may take a wrong turn and that is OK, but together we will use your map to get back on the track to the destination of your choice. My regular schedule is: Monday – Friday: 5:00 pm – 9:00 PM (EST) Saturday & Sun: Out of the office (Appointments may be considered on a case-by-case basis) I typically check my messages after 5 PM every day (sometimes more) and try to respond within 24 hours of your message, but this is not always possible, but I will do my best to give a timely response. Please note: Periodically my schedule may change. I try to be as flexible as I can when there are specific appointment requests, and we can always discuss other convenient times when I may be able to open up a one-time slot on another day. MY CANCELLATION POLICY Just a quick message to inform you about my cancellation policy. Your appointments and well-being are very important to me, and I understand that sometimes, unexpected delays can occur, making schedule adjustments. If you need to cancel your appointment, I respectfully request at least three days’ notice. Appointments are in high demand, and your advanced notice will allow another client access to that appointment time. Please note: It is Betterhelp’s cancellation policy that you cancel at least 24 hours before the appointment. I look forward to working with you! V/R Dr. Natalia R. Rivera, DSW, LCSW, CADC