Dr. Rivas is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator in the Counselor Education program, specializing in marriage, couple, and family counseling; clinical mental health counseling, and addiction counseling. She joined the Sacramento State Counselor Education program in 2018. Dr. Rivas has been a Counselor Educator since 2013. Prior to joining CSUS, Dr. Rivas held faculty positions at Western Connecticut State University and University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Having worked in mental health since 2008, she has experience with inpatient residential treatment working with adolescents providing individual, family, and group counseling; as well as community mental health providing group counseling for court mandated clients. She has operated a private practice since 2010 working with individuals, couples, and families in addition to providing supervision for individuals seeking licensure in Colorado. She holds three licenses in Colorado, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC); and in California she holds her Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licenses. She also holds her credentials as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Master Addiction Counselor (MAC).