LPC, 5 years of experience
New to Grow
Let’s be real, starting the search for a therapist is a big deal, and I don’t take that lightly. If you’ve made it this far, I want you to know I’m already rooting for you. My name is Mileyni Rivera, and I work primarily with young adults who feel overwhelmed, anxious, burnt out, or stuck in patterns that are hard to break. I believe therapy should feel like a supportive, collaborative space where you can drop the mask, be yourself, and talk honestly about what’s been weighing on you. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a foundation because it’s such a powerful tool for understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. But I don’t believe in a one size fits all approach so I also draw from other methods depending on your needs, goals, and personality. At my core, I’m down to earth, curious, and genuinely invested in helping you reconnect with your strengths. My goal is to help you gain clarity, feel more grounded, and build practical skills you can actually use outside of our sessions. Therapy with me isn’t about judgment or quick fixes; it’s about creating space to explore, heal, and move forward at a pace that feels right for you.
I know the first session can feel intimidating, so I want to take that pressure off right away. Our first session is simply a space for you to share what’s bringing you in and what you’d like to get out of therapy. You don’t need to have the perfect words or a neat “story” prepared. I’ll guide the conversation with questions that help us explore your experiences, your challenges, and your goals. Think of it less as an interview and more as a conversation where we get to know each other. I want to understand your world, but I also want you to get a sense of who I am and how I work. You’ll notice my approach is warm, collaborative, and down to earth. I’ll listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and reflect back what I hear to help you gain clarity. By the end of our first session, we’ll have started to identify some of the patterns or areas you’d like to focus on. I’ll also share how I think CBT and other approaches might help you, and together we’ll begin setting a direction for our work. My goal for the first session isn’t to “solve” everything, it’s to create a space where you feel safe, supported, and hopeful about the process we’re starting together.
Clients often tell me they appreciate that I show up as myself: curious, approachable, and genuine. Therapy with me doesn’t feel overly formal or clinical; it feels like having a thoughtful conversation with someone who’s truly invested in your growth. I’m not here to “fix” you, I’m here to help you understand yourself better, reconnect with your strengths, and develop tools that will support you long after therapy ends. Another strength is my ability to create a space where clients feel both supported and challenged. I’ll always meet you with compassion and understanding, but I’ll also encourage you to step outside of old patterns and experiment with new ways of thinking and coping. That balance of warmth and accountability often leads to lasting growth and real change. Most importantly, I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship. Research shows that feeling connected and understood by your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of success in therapy and that’s something I prioritize in every session. When you feel safe enough to be honest, vulnerable, and real, that’s when meaningful change starts to happen.
The clients I work best with are often young adults who feel caught in the middle of transition, whether that’s starting a new job, finishing school, moving to a new place, or navigating changes in relationships. These shifts can bring excitement, but they also bring stress, uncertainty, and self doubt. You may find yourself overthinking every decision, comparing yourself to others, or feeling like you’re not where you “should” be in life. Others come to me because they’re dealing with anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, or the lingering weight of past experiences. You might notice yourself replaying conversations in your head, second guessing your choices, or holding onto standards that leave you exhausted. Many of my clients describe feeling stuck in patterns they can see but can’t quite change on their own. My ideal clients are people who are motivated to make changes, even if they don’t fully know what those changes look like yet. They’re open to exploring their thoughts and feelings, willing to challenge old patterns, and ready to learn new ways of coping. Most importantly, they want therapy to feel safe, supportive, and real, not clinical or detached. Whether you’re working through anxiety, stress, relationship struggles, or just trying to reconnect with yourself, I meet you exactly where you are. Together, we’ll work toward clarity, confidence, and a greater sense of peace in your daily life.
I often integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into my work because I’ve seen how powerful it can be in helping people break free from unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Together, we’ll explore the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and I’ll guide you in learning practical tools you can use in your daily life to feel more grounded, empowered, and in control.