Adjunct Professor of Psychology & Counseling
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
