Makeena Rivers, LMSW is a psychotherapist who works with clients living in New York. She is passionate about working with clients who have historically been kept from spaces of culturally aligned care. As her clients have diverse backgrounds and experiences, she is attentive to the role that culture plays in the mental and emotional experiences her clients have. Makeena Rivers specializes in working with clients who are looking to heal through a deeper exploration of who they are. Makeena believes that increased self awareness and careful, consistent attention to how each of her clients operate allows for more effectively reaching their therapeutic goals. As a therapist who also works in a creative industry, Makeena applies her creative approach to her therapeutic work and believes there are many ways forward to more joy, peace, and general wellbeing. She works collaboratively with clients who are seeking to grow. Much of Makeena’s direct experience launched during her educational experiences at Emory University, where she earned Bachelors’ degrees in Psychology and Sociology, and Columbia University, where she earned her Master’s in Social Work. Makeena continues to engage in opportunities to support research, program development, and facilitating spaces dedicated to individual and community transformation. Message to clientsI am here to support you in your journey towards deepened self awareness and discovery. If you are looking to recognize and grow through challenging circumstances, uncomfortable emotions, or unfulfilled goals, I look to hold a soft honest space for the clients I work with to enrich this growth. Our emotional wellbeing deserves thorough attention and care. My clients unpack the complexity of anxiety, depression, familial issues, grief, life transitions, trauma, relational stress, racial injustice, and oppression. I also work with clients who aren’t sure what draws them to therapy but are looking to find out.I use a trauma-informed, empathic, eclectic approach engaging methods derived from Internal Family Systems, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness practices. As a therapist, I take a relational orientation to our work and I build off of your strengths to support you in reaching your goals.Exploring tools to improve your life is a powerful sign of self love and insight. You deserve to be proud of yourself for considering therapy. I can work with clients who have insurance on an Out of Network basis and provide a super bill. Please reach out if you have questions about that possibility.