Daniela Rivas
Hi, I’m Daniela Rivas, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I provide a warm, compassionate, and judgment-free space for individuals navigating anxiety, burnout, relationship challenges, self-esteem, and major life transitions. I have specialized experience supporting women during the perinatal and postpartum periods, helping clients navigate the emotional changes, challenges, and transitions that can come with pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood.
As a mother of a young child, I developed a strong passion for perinatal and postpartum mental health, which I have specialized in for the past two years.
My approach is collaborative and practical, helping you feel more grounded, confident, and connected. You don’t have to navigate this chapter alone—I’m here to support you.
First session
In our first session, you can expect a supportive and collaborative space where we begin getting to know each other. I’ll ask questions about what brings you to therapy, your current concerns, and any relevant history to better understand your experiences and goals. There’s no pressure to share everything at once—we’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We’ll also talk about what you hope to gain from therapy and begin identifying initial goals together. I’ll explain my approach and answer any questions you may have about the process. My goal in the first session is to help you feel heard, respected, and supported while we start building a strong foundation for our work together.
Strengths
My approach is personalized to you, because no two people or experiences are the same. I use a combination of therapeutic approaches to help you understand your thoughts and emotions, manage stress and difficult feelings, improve relationships, and build practical tools for everyday life. Together, we’ll focus on your strengths, work through challenges, and find strategies that fit your needs and goals. My goal is to help you feel more confident, grounded, and connected to yourself and the people around you.
Ideal clients
As an LMFT, I am best positioned to support individuals and families navigating life transitions, stress, and emotional challenges, with a strong focus on service members, veterans, and their families. As a military veteran, I understand the unique demands of military life, including deployment cycles, reintegration, relationship strain, and the impact of chronic stress. I strive to provide a supportive and culturally responsive space for those connected to military service. I also specialize in working with individuals during pregnancy, perinatal, and postpartum periods. As both a clinician with experience in perinatal and postpartum care and a mother of a young child, I have a deep understanding of the emotional, physical, and relational changes that come with this stage of life. I support clients experiencing anxiety, mood changes, identity shifts, and the challenges of balancing caregiving with personal needs. Overall, I work best with clients who are seeking practical tools, emotional support, and a collaborative approach to navigating stress, transitions, and personal growth.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
As an LMFT, I regularly use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In my practice, I support clients in identifying unhelpful thought patterns, challenging negative beliefs, and developing more balanced and realistic perspectives. I also incorporate practical tools such as coping skills, problem-solving strategies, and behavioral techniques to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. CBT is collaborative and goal-oriented, allowing clients to actively participate in their growth and build skills they can continue using outside of therapy.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support clients in building practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and increasing overall stability. In my practice, I focus on core DBT components such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. I work collaboratively with clients to help them stay present, navigate crises without escalating distress, and communicate their needs more effectively. DBT is especially helpful for clients who feel overwhelmed by their emotions, as it provides structured, skills-based tools that can be applied in everyday life.
Gestalt
I incorporate Gestalt therapy to help clients increase self-awareness and stay grounded in the present moment. In my practice, I guide clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations as they arise, fostering a deeper understanding of how past experiences may influence current patterns. I use techniques such as guided awareness, role-play, and experiential exercises to support clients in expressing themselves more fully and authentically. This approach helps clients gain clarity, take ownership of their experiences, and develop more meaningful connections with themselves and others.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change. In my practice, I take a collaborative, nonjudgmental approach, using open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirming client strengths to support self-directed growth. MI allows clients to identify their personal values and goals while building confidence in their ability to make meaningful changes. I integrate this approach across treatment to enhance engagement and empower clients to move forward at their own pace.
Narrative
I incorporate Narrative Therapy to help clients explore the stories they hold about themselves and their experiences. In my practice, I support clients in identifying how certain narratives may contribute to distress and work collaboratively to reframe those stories in ways that highlight strengths, resilience, and personal agency. I often use techniques such as externalizing problems and exploring alternative perspectives, allowing clients to separate their identity from their challenges. This approach helps clients build a more empowering and meaningful understanding of themselves and their lives.
Location
Virtual sessions