(she/her)
Often rebooked
Clients say this provider is
Hello, and thank you for reading my bio. I am Claudia Rivas, LCSW - licensed clinical social worker - clinical supervisor and a somatic therapist dedicated to deep intersectional healing. When you are living with intense or long-standing PTSD, traditional talk therapy can feel like it only scratches the surface. True healing requires addressing how trauma lives in your nervous system. In my practice, I blend the body-centered approach of Somatic Experiencing with the practical, grounding tools of talk therapy, which include CBT, DBT, and solution-focused interventions. My clinical framework is deeply informed by my experience providing direct care to individuals and clinical supervision to clinicians within county and community mental health settings. Having worked extensively with severely mentally ill and disenfranchised populations, I understand the intricate nuances of systemic trauma, chronic depletion, and the profound burnout that impacts frontline workers. Additionally, I specialize in supporting professionals of color and women navigating the unique micro- and macro-aggressions that occur in corporate or private sectors lacking genuine commitment to inclusion, helping them process the daily triggers of working in non-allied spaces. I offer a specialized, protective space for helpers, healers, healthcare workers, corporate professionals, and activists who find their own trauma triggered by the weight of their roles. As a cisgender woman of color, my work operates through an intersectional, decolonized framework that honors how institutional misogyny functions as a modern tool of colonization. You will never have to exhaust yourself explaining systemic oppression, cultural burdens, or the unique fatigue of community-facing work here—we begin our sessions with that understanding already built in. Together, we will help your body and mind find safety, processing severe trauma without leaving your lived experience, your professional realities, or your cultural identity at the door.
Our initial session is a collaborative space to explore your history and therapeutic goals without re-triggering your system. We prioritize building a firm foundation of trust and rapport so that future trauma processing feels entirely safe. You have total autonomy to pace our conversation and ask questions about my work. My focus is to hold a secure container where you can unpack disenfranchised or systemic stress, gain immediate grounding tools, and leave empowered with an increased capacity to navigate complex life challenges.
To each session, I bring an active partnership grounded in clinical depth, cultural humility, and real-world experience. I provide an explicitly intersectional, decolonized space where your lived experience as a whole person is honored. My practice goes far beyond basic 'trauma-informed' care. I bring a precise understanding of severe PTSD, systemic disenfranchisement, and the complex burnout experienced by frontline workers and corporate professionals alike, navigating modern misogyny. You can expect me to show up with thoughtful insights, nervous system regulation tools, and a protective container strong enough to hold your heaviest days without judgment or depletion.
I have over 20 years of experience working with various ethnicities, gender identities and sexual orientations. I provide services in English and Spanish, and sometimes Spanglish. My ideal client is someone who is interested and ready to learn about themselves and can feel comfortable in the discomfort. Someone who is open to learning how to connect with themselves via different facets, such as sensation, emotion, meaning, or something else.
I have completed CBT training and have 15 years of implementing CBT interventions into therapy sessions. I also take on-going trainings in CBT to continue my education and knowledge in this framework.
I completed a three-year training program in Somatic Experiencing® and have integrated this framework into my therapeutic practice for the past nine years. To ensure my practice remains informed by the latest developments, I actively engage in ongoing somatic training and regularly receive Somatic Experiencing® sessions to deepen my knowledge and clinical expertise.
I am recently trained in EMDR and continue to participate in consultations to deepen my understanding.
1 rating with written reviews
August 13, 2025
What stood out for me in this session is how intently you listen to me with compassion and understanding. Not always trying to solve my issues but giving me good advice. Thank you