Nova Rivera- Mental Health Therapist

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My name is Donovan Rivera (you can call me Nova if you’d like) and I am a mental health therapist. I’m glad you’ve arrived at my page and are taking the time to learn about what I can offer you as a therapist. 

On this page you can find detailed information about me, my professional and educational experience, and my therapeutic style. I am available for a 15 minute consultation at no charge to see if your therapy goals and needs align with what I can provide as a therapist. Please contact me if you are interested in scheduling a consultation or if you have any questions.  You can book your free 15 minute consultation by clicking the button below or giving me a call at (206) 360-8400.  

Thank you for taking the time to review my page. I look forward to working with you! 

Maybe you aren’t sure which direction you would like to go, or you are trying to just keep your head above water during a difficult time? I am here to provide the support you seek at any stage in your journey. I believe that all clients have their strengths and are resilient. Part of my role is to encourage you to see your strengths as well. Maybe that doesn't come easy to you and that is okay! Let's practice together. 

I am client-centered in my therapeutic style, which means that I believe therapy goals should be primarily directed by you. I pride myself on facilitating a collaborative therapeutic environment. I am here to travel alongside you, witness your story, and ask questions along the way in assistance to your journey.  My clients describe me as compassionate, encouraging, motivating, and kind-hearted. My aim is to get to know you and learn how to best support you, as no two clients are the same in what they need. 

If this sounds like what you are looking for, or even if you aren't sure whether therapy is right for you, I am excited to meet you! Reach out and let's discuss what you hope to get out of therapy, what you seek in a therapist, and how I can help along the way.  

As a professional, I come from the world of mental health research where I have spent the past 5 years working with clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals in the development and testing of novel mental health treatments, many of which have roots in evidence-based treatments. In my time as a research interventionist, I have worked with clients across the country ranging in age from young adults (18+) to older adults, with various experiences, and in different stages of their lives. I bring specialized experience working with people with physical disabilities and lifelong health conditions such as MD, SCI, and MS (including those who are newly diagnosed). These professional experiences combined with my passion for learning inspires me to stay informed on research and treatment options for my clients as well as emerging issues at the intersection of healthcare and mental health such as coping with the effects of Long-COVID, provider burnout/compassion fatigue, and pandemic-related medical trauma.

I am a transgender and queer identified Latinx originally from the northern central coast of California. I moved to Seattle in 2016 for graduate school and decided to make it my permanent home after falling in love with the area. Outside of work, I like to spend time with my family (including my two chihuahuas, Sushi and Onion) and friends, listen to and mix music, watch reality television, and cook for my loved ones. 

Like many other first generation college students, I started my path to higher education at my local community college (Monterey Peninsula College) in Monterey, California graduating in 2012 with an A.A. I then transferred to the University of California, Santa Cruz to receive my B.A. in Feminist Studies with a Science, Technology and Medicine concentration, graduating in 2015. Shortly thereafter, I moved to Seattle to complete a dual-degree program at the University of Washington. In 2018, I graduated with my Master of Public Health (Health Services Concentration) and my Master of Social Work (Health Concentration). 

$145 per hourly session, payable via credit, debit, FSA, or HSA account. 

Insurance:  I am an in-network provider with First Choice, Aetna, Premera, and Lifewise and considered out-of-network for most other major insurance plans. If I am out-of-network with your insurer, I can provide a superbill which you can submit for reimbursement. Clients with the above insurers typically only pay a co-payment amount out of pocket or only pay the full fee until their deductible is met.             

*Please note that under the federal No Surprises Act, all clients have a right to a written and verbal Good Faith Estimate. For more information about Good Faith Estimates, please click the link below.