- Stress and anxiety
- Addictions support
- Practical coping skills
About Maria
Maria Magdalena Rivera is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in California with six years of clinical experience. She helps people cope with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, and low self-esteem. Her approach aims to make daily life more manageable and to restore a sense of confidence and direction.
Her style is warm and respectful. Sessions center on what matters most to each person. She listens first, then helps set small, practical goals. Conversations and exercises are tailored to each person's needs and rhythm.
Maria uses tools from client-centered therapy to keep the focus on the individual's experience. She blends cognitive behavioral ideas to spot unhelpful thinking patterns. She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness to teach emotional regulation skills.
She works with people facing life transitions, chronic pain or illness, and struggles with codependency and communication. She also addresses drug and alcohol addiction, guilt and shame, midlife challenges, self-harm concerns, and issues common to young adults. The emphasis is on skill-building and clearer choices.
Sessions begin by identifying what the person wants to change. From there she and the client design a plan with concrete steps. Progress is reviewed regularly so plans stay practical and relevant.
How therapeutic approaches shape online work
Client-centered therapy focuses on the person's experience and priorities. The therapist listens without judgment and follows the client's lead, helping people name what matters and set clear goals.Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts affect feelings and actions. It uses simple exercises to spot unhelpful thinking and practice alternative responses, which can help with anxiety and low mood.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and help pick methods that match a person's needs, goals, and preferences. This happens in collaboration so the plan fits real life.
Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule and keep momentum between meetings. It can reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Confirm the specific session formats offered before booking so arrangements match your day-to-day needs.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
6+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Maria help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, grief, and low self-esteem. Other areas include addictions, codependency, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is respectful and client-centered. She listens closely and tailors conversations and goals to each person's needs.
What kind of experience does she have?
She has six years of professional practice working with concerns like anxiety, addiction, and grief. That experience informs how she supports practical change.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a California licensed marriage and family therapist, listed as LMFT. Her practice is located in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to get started?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.