Dr. Ann Rivers
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 30 years of experience dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care that helps clients navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and resilience. My approach is rooted in whole-person care, recognizing that our mental and emotional well-being is influenced by physical health and the social and environmental factors that shape everyday life. Using a strengths-based, solution-focused approach, I partner with clients to identify their existing strengths, develop practical coping strategies, and overcome the barriers that may be affecting their mental health.
First session
Our first therapy session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another, discuss what has brought you to therapy and explore your goals for our work together. My goal is to provide a welcoming, safe, and confidential space where you feel respected, heard, and supported. Therapy is a collaborative process so I encourage you to ask questions, share your thoughts, and let me know what feels helpful—or unhelpful—as we work together. While many people leave their first session with greater clarity or a sense of relief, meaningful and lasting change typically develops through ongoing work and a trusting, respectful therapeutic relationship. Just as I am getting to know you, you are also getting to know your therapist. Finding someone who feels like the right fit is an important part of the process, and your comfort matters. Congratulations on taking this important step toward self-care and investing in your emotional well-being. I look forward to partnering with you on your therapy journey.
Strengths
I approach our work together as a partnership grounded in respect, empathy, and cultural responsiveness. I take a strengths-based approach, helping you recognize your existing resilience while building self-esteem, confidence, and practical skills to navigate life's challenges. Together, we will work to reframe unhelpful patterns and develop perspectives that foster growth and well-being. I am committed to understanding your concerns, emotions, and unique experiences through active listening, thoughtful questions, patience, and open communication. My perspective is interactive, offering supportive clinical feedback, meaningful dialogue, and practical strategies tailored to your individual goals. I believe that lasting change happens when you feel heard, respected, and empowered, and I strive to create a therapeutic relationship where you can explore challenges with honesty, curiosity, and confidence.
Ideal clients
Clients I work best with are those who are seeking a supportive, collaborative therapeutic relationship and are open to personal growth. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, grief, stress, or simply feeling stuck, therapy can provide a space to gain insight, develop practical coping strategies, and build on your existing strengths. I have acquired expertise supporting caregivers caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia as the caregiving journey often involves chronic stress, ongoing adaptation, and repeated experiences of ambiguous loss and anticipatory grief.
Treatment methods
Strength-Based
I believe every person possesses qualities, abilities, and inner resources that can support healing and growth—even during life's most difficult challenges. Rather than focusing solely on problems or diagnoses, we work to identify your strengths, resilience, values, and past successes, and use them as a foundation for meaningful change. Together, we'll explore obstacles with compassion, develop new coping skills, and create practical strategies that align with your goals. My role is to support and guide you as you develop the insight and tools needed to navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and create lasting, positive change.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Every person's story is unique, so I tailor therapy to your individual needs, values, goals, and life experiences rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. I strive to understand your perspective with empathy, respect, and genuine compassion while creating a therapeutic relationship built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. While I believe you are the expert on your own life, I also provide thoughtful clinical feedback, practical coping strategies, and evidence-based interventions to help you gain insight, build on your strengths and make meaningful progress toward your goals.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
I incorporate Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help clients identify meaningful, realistic steps toward the changes they want to see in their lives. I tailor this approach to meet your individual needs, integrating it with other therapeutic methods when appropriate to ensure that our work together remains collaborative, supportive, and responsive to your unique experience. Rather than remaining focused solely on problems, we work together to clarify your goals, recognize what is already working, and build practical strategies that promote change. By identifying small, achievable steps, clients often gain confidence, increase their sense of hope, and begin to see meaningful progress over time.
Motivational Interviewing
I incorporate Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore their thoughts and feelings about change in a supportive, nonjudgmental way. I work collaboratively with you to explore your values, goals, and motivations so that any changes you make are meaningful and aligned with what matters most to you. Through thoughtful questions, reflective listening, and open dialogue, I help clients identify barriers to change, recognize their own strengths and abilities, and build confidence in their capacity to move forward. Whether you're considering a major life transition, developing healthier habits, strengthening relationships, managing stress, or navigating the challenges of caregiving, Motivational Interviewing helps you move from feeling stuck to taking purposeful, achievable steps toward your goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors which can shape how we think about ourselves, others, and the world around us. Sometimes these patterns are helpful, while other times they can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or feeling stuck. Together, we identify unhelpful thought patterns, explore how they influence emotions and behaviors, and develop healthier, more balanced ways of thinking and responding. This approach equips clients with effective coping skills, problem-solving strategies, and tools they can continue using long after therapy has ended.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- New YorkLicense 042048