Jacqueline Rivera

Hi! My name is Jackie Rivera and I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I love working with individuals to help them overcome obstacles and life events that might have them feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and incapable with feelings of hopelessness, restlessness, grief, and more. Let's connect to be able to start working on your recovery today.

My approach

I use an eclectic approach to therapy. Therapy with me is always client-centered but I also like to use evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy to isolate dysfunctional thoughts and use problem-solving strategies to change behaviors associated with such thoughts. I work with my clients to learn different ways of thinking that will produce a change in what is often a dysfunctional cycle.

My focus

I work well with folks who are struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, difficulty with regulating emotions, relationship issues, grief, problems in the workplace, imposter syndrome, adjustment disorders, and more. I have worked with individuals who fall along the entire spectrum of these disorders ranging anywhere from mild to severe in severity and symptomology. I am also keen to work with women and BIPOC individuals and the issues these groups often face in our current day society.

My communication style

My therapy sessions will always be respectful and professional. I like to build a relationship with my clients and establish rapport so that it seems like therapy is as comfortable as sitting and catching up with an old friend, with the added advantage of being able to inject my expertise and clinical skills to help my clients move forward in their healing journey.

My journey to mental healthcare

My journey to becoming a therapist started early even though I did not know it. I was raised in a working-class Latino household with two very hard-working parents who strived to meet all of our physical needs. However, through my studies, I learned that my parents were never equipped to be able to support their children emotionally. My mother passed away when I was 17 years old and my father slipped further into his substance and alcohol dependence and depression. My siblings and I essentially had to grapple with the loss of our mother on our own. It was not until I was sitting in my Psych 101 course at Santa Ana College that I realized that psychology is what I wanted to study the most. In that class, I learned that studying psychology would be the best way to learn about my family's own dysfunction. I love being a therapist now because I get to have the privilege to work with individuals and help them get off of their feet. I get to positively impact people to be able to create a life worth living. It is such an honor to sit with people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives and support them in ways in which many people are unable.

My goals for you

Outlining the goals of treatment will happen within the first two sessions. Having clear objectives directs the therapy sessions and will consistently help my work with my clients stay on track. Goals can also change as therapy progresses, of course, and goals will be discussed at each session to ensure that my clients and I are still on the same page.

My first session with you

Our first session together will be kind of like a meet-and-greet except you are the star! I will gather a biopsychosocial history from you and work with you to establish a treatment plan, which will be the framework for our work together. In our first session, you are also welcome to ask about my credentials, qualifications, and experience! I love to share about what I do best!