EDUCATION

• M.S., Counseling Psychology – Hope International University
• B.S., Psychology – Chaminade University
• A.A., Liberal Arts – Chaminade University

CREDENTIALS/CERTIFICATIONS

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Florida)
• EMDR Certified Therapist
• EMDR Consultant-in-Training
• Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 3
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Instructor
• Operational Stress Control and Readiness (OSCAR) Master Trainer

COURSES TAUGHT

• CSL 6140 – Group Therapy

KEY AWARDS/AFFILIATIONS

• United States Marine Corps Master Sergeant (Retired)
• American Counseling Association
• American Psychological Association
• EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)

ACADEMIC INTERESTS

• Trauma and PTSD
• EMDR and Adaptive Information Processing
• Attachment Theory
• Couples and Family Systems
• Military and First Responder Mental Health
• Leadership Psychology
• Clinical Supervision and Counselor Development
• Artificial Intelligence in Behavioral Healthcare

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

Professor Rivera has provided professional training and presentations on trauma-informed care, suicide intervention, operational stress, resilience, leadership development, attachment theory, couples therapy, and evidence-based psychotherapy. His instructional experience includes educating military leaders, healthcare professionals, first responders, and counseling trainees on applying practical, research-supported interventions to real-world clinical settings.

HOBBIES/INTERESTS

Strength training, mentoring emerging clinicians, exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and behavioral healthcare, reading psychology and leadership literature, and spending time with family and friends.

FAVORITE VERSE/QUOTE

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." — Viktor E. Frankl