Maria Rivera, M.C., R.C.C.

I have been living in BC for the last 13 years, and first moved to Canada by myself in my late-teens. I have lived in different parts of the world including Central America and Europe. I grew up in a multi-cultural family that instilled in me a sense of curiosity to experience different cultures and traditions. As a result, I am building a multi-cultural family of my own.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling from City University of Seattle, a diploma in Human Resources Management from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts & Science from Quest University Canada.

I have worked with children, youth and adults of all ages in different settings, including community-based organizations like Hollyburn Family Services, the Howe Sound Women’s Centre and OneSky Community Services. I have also had the opportunity to work within different School Districts and Health authorities in British Columbia.

Outside of the clinical space, I love to spend time outdoors whether it is hiking, skiing, paddle boarding or finding new walks with my pup Ollie. I also really enjoy road-tripping across BC and discovering new places in our own backyard.

I join therapeutic conversations by understanding each person’s unique experience and view of their world and respecting individual differences and ways of dealing with life. I believe clients are the experts of their own lives and it is an honour to support them with their individual process of change. I love seeing individuals gain a greater level of awareness in all aspects of being.

I work from a client-centered approach, where I focus on building connection through trust and safety. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is key to our work together. I see what is alive for my clients and connect with other parts of their inner worlds, not just the problems they bring and share. I think it is crucial to be able to see the essence of the person and work from their strengths. I focus on my clients‘ purposes and intentions as the core of our relationship.

I use a variety of approaches to meet my clients’ needs. We work on identifying what they are experiencing and find solutions that best fit their individual learning styles. My work is influenced by a variety of treatment approaches including:

• Person-Centred therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Solution-Focused therapy (SFT)
• Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behaviour therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Play and Arts-Based therapy
• Self-compassion
• Family Systems
• Multicultural Counselling
• Trauma-Informed Practice

I offer services in English and Spanish.

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Grief + Loss
• Relationships
• Meaning + Purpose
• Vocational Counselling
• Life Stressors
• Life transitions, including immigration
• Systemic Discrimination
• Problematic use of substances/ substance use disorders
• Child + Youth Counselling
• LGBTQ2+ inclusivity
• BIPOC inclusivity