LMHC, 5 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Renée Rivers, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, trauma therapist, and the founder of Reflective Rivers Therapy & Consulting. I specialize in helping individuals, couples, and families heal from relational wounds, navigate life transitions, and reconnect with their authentic selves. As both a clinician and community advocate, I’m passionate about creating spaces where people feel emotionally safe, culturally understood, and empowered to grow. My approach is person-centered and grounded in Internal Family Systems, which means I believe healing begins with compassion, not judgment. Whether you're carrying the weight of past trauma, struggling in your relationships, or feeling disconnected from who you are, I’ll walk alongside you with curiosity, care, and respect for your lived experience. You won’t be pushed or pathologized here. Instead, I’ll help you slow down, listen inward, and develop the tools and insight needed to move forward with clarity and confidence. As a mother, survivor, and therapist, I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience into the room. My work is deeply rooted in cultural humility, emotional attunement, and a belief that repair is always possible both within ourselves and in our relationships. If you're ready to begin (or return to) the work of healing, I’d be honored to hold space for you.
Our first session is all about building safety and connection. We’ll take time to get to know each other — not just your current concerns, but also who you are, what matters to you, and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. I’ll ask questions about your history, relationships, and emotional patterns, but we’ll move at your pace. There’s no pressure to share everything at once. This is also your space to ask questions, name your hopes or hesitations, and let me know what has or hasn’t worked for you in past therapy experiences. My goal is to create a grounded, nonjudgmental environment where you feel seen, respected, and in control of your process from the very beginning. By the end of our session, we’ll co-create a direction for our work together — one rooted in compassion, collaboration, and your unique story.
One of my greatest strengths is creating a space where clients feel emotionally safe, deeply seen, and gently challenged. I bring a calm, grounding presence that helps people explore even the most painful parts of their story without fear of judgment. My approach is both compassionate and direct — I’ll hold space for your truth while also helping you notice patterns, connect the dots, and move toward meaningful change. I specialize in working with clients who are navigating trauma, relationship struggles, identity shifts, and emotional burnout. I integrate person-centered therapy with Internal Family Systems (IFS), which allows us to explore your inner world with curiosity and compassion — not shame. Whether you’re learning to set boundaries, build emotional intimacy, or break generational cycles, I’m skilled at helping clients access their inner clarity and build the tools they need to thrive. Clients often tell me they feel understood in ways they’ve never experienced before — not because I have all the answers, but because I help them reconnect with their own.
I work best with clients who are ready to explore the deeper layers of their story — those who may look strong on the outside but feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or emotionally stuck on the inside. Many of my clients are navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, or the lingering effects of childhood trauma. Some are high-functioning professionals or caregivers who rarely slow down, while others are working to heal from emotional neglect, betrayal, or burnout. My ideal clients are curious about who they are beneath survival mode and are open to doing the inner work — even if they’re still learning how to trust the process. Whether you're seeking to set healthier boundaries, build emotional intimacy, or break intergenerational cycles, I provide a compassionate, culturally responsive space where you can show up fully — without performing or shrinking. If you're longing for clarity, emotional freedom, and more authentic connection, we may be a great fit.
Person-Centered Therapy is rooted in the belief that people are inherently capable of growth and healing when offered a safe, empathetic, and nonjudgmental environment. I use this approach to create a therapeutic space where clients feel deeply seen, heard, and respected. Rather than directing the session, I follow the client’s lead, trusting that they hold the inner wisdom to navigate their own healing when met with authenticity and unconditional positive regard.
IFS is a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach that helps clients explore the different “parts” of themselves — such as the inner critic, the protector, or the wounded child — and understand how these parts have developed to protect the Self. In my practice, I help clients build compassionate relationships with these internal parts, reduce inner conflict, and access their core Self — the calm, wise, and grounded inner leader. IFS allows clients to shift from self-judgment to self-understanding, which opens the door for lasting healing and emotional integration.