About Maria
Maria Magdalena Rivera is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in California who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, low self-esteem, and life transitions. She uses practical conversation and steady support to help people take the first steps toward feeling better.
Background and approach
Her tone is respectful and compassionate, and she aims to make each session feel manageable and focused. Maria adapts sessions to fit each person’s needs.
She draws on several approaches, including client-centered work that follows what matters most to the client. When helpful, she uses cognitive behavioral tools to notice and change upsetting thoughts and behaviors.
She also brings mindfulness and skills from dialectical behavior therapy to help with emotional regulation and cravings. With six years of professional experience, Maria has worked with people facing chronic pain, illness, and disability as well as those coping with codependency, communication problems, and substance use concerns.
She also supports people dealing with guilt, shame, self-harm thoughts, and midlife or young adult challenges. Sessions focus on clear goals and small, achievable steps toward change.
Conversations are collaborative and down-to-earth. Maria balances skill-building with listening and validation.
She uses motivational interviewing strategies when clients want to strengthen their commitment to change. Sessions are offered in English and provided remotely through video, phone, live chat, or text messaging.
People in California may find her approach practical if they want a therapist who blends empathy with actionable tools.
How therapeutic approaches fit into online care
Client-centered therapy focuses on following the client’s lead, listening closely, and reflecting what matters most to the person. It helps people feel heard and clarifies goals for change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches practical skills to identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more balanced thinking. CBT is often useful for anxiety, stress, and patterns that feed addictions.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences and then try methods that match those priorities. That plan can shift over time based on what is most helpful for the individual.
Online formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives. Video calls let people work face-to-face when they prefer a more personal interaction. Phone sessions can be used when lower bandwidth or a hands-free option is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging allow quick check-ins, shorter skill practice, or support between sessions. These options provide flexibility so people can access therapy in ways that suit their schedule and daily routine.
Frequently asked questions
What issues does she help address?
How would you describe her therapy style?
What is her professional background?
What credentials and location are listed?
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
What session formats are available?
How do I begin working with her and what does cost look like?
Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 6 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English