Nelson Rivera

Nelson Rivera accepts Cigna Healthcare/Evernorth, Centivo, Aetna, CareFirst, and Prime Health. Octave clients pay an average of $28 per session through insurance, and more than 95% pay less than $45 per session. Your exact cost depends on your plan’s copay or deductible. You can use the cost estimator to see what you would pay before your first session. If you would rather pay out of pocket, self-pay sessions in Washington, DC are estimated at $185-195 per session.

Nelson Rivera is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Nelson is licensed to practice in Maryland, Florida, and Washington, DC, so clients located in any of those states can book sessions. Nelson’s Washington, DC license number is LC200002823, and you can look it up through the state licensing board. Octave verifies every therapist’s license before they begin seeing clients, and licenses are kept current as a condition of practicing with Octave.

Nelson Rivera has been practicing therapy for 22 years. Nelson’s education and training include PhD - Industrial & Organizational Psychology, National University. Over that time, Nelson has worked closely with BIPOC, Black community, Immigrants, Students, LGBTQ+, Trans+, and Latine Community. Octave therapists average more than a decade of experience, and Nelson is part of that group.

Nelson Rivera works with BIPOC, Black community, Immigrants, Students, LGBTQ+, Trans+, and Latine Community and specializes in Addiction (not substance use), Anger Issues, Animal Loss, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Burnout, Caregiver Burnout, Chronic Illness, Couples Therapy, Cultural Issues/Racial Stress, Depression, Grief, LGBTQ+, Life Transitions, and Men's Issues, among other areas. These are the areas where Nelson spends most of their clinical time. Nelson also sees couples together in joint sessions. If the concern you want help with isn’t listed here, a Care Navigator can tell you whether Nelson is a good fit or match you with another Octave therapist who specializes in it.

Nelson Rivera draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Harm Reduction, and Motivational Interviewing. In sessions, Nelson’s style is authentic, calming, empowering, humorous, and mindful. In Nelson’s words: “I have experience supporting individuals and couples through life’s challenges, including anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship issues, and workplace stress.”

Nelson Rivera (he/him) offers therapy in English and Spanish. Nelson identifies as Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx. Nelson provides LGBTQIA+ affirming care.

Nelson Rivera offers online sessions over secure video, so you can meet from home or any private space. Nelson is licensed in Maryland, Florida, and Washington, DC, and you need to be located in one of those states at the time of each session. All you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.

Your first session with Nelson Rivera is a chance to talk through what brought you to therapy and what you want to work on. Nelson will ask about your background, your current concerns, and your goals, and together you will start shaping a plan for your sessions. It is also a chance to see whether Nelson’s style feels like a good fit for you. After their first session, 9 in 10 Octave clients say their therapy experience has been good or better.

Octave regularly asks clients to select a rating based on their experience about their provider about their therapy sessions. Providers are prohibited from soliciting reviews from their clients.

Only clients who have completed a session with this provider can leave a rating for them.