Adrian De La Riva

Adrian De La Riva is a bilingual Master of Social Work intern who provides compassionate, culturally responsive support for adolescents, young adults, adults, and families. His clinical interests include anxiety, depression, generational trauma, family dynamics, cultural identity, emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationship challenges, men’s mental health, and major life transitions.

Adrian believes meaningful change begins when people feel genuinely heard, understood, and respected. His approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, cultural awareness, and an appreciation for the experiences that shape each person’s life. He strives to create a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore difficult emotions, recognize their strengths, and develop healthier ways of navigating life’s challenges.

Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, and raised in Santa Ana, California, Adrian brings a personal understanding of growing up as a first-generation Mexican American while navigating different cultural expectations, family roles, and social environments. These experiences have shaped his awareness of how culture, family responsibilities, generational differences, identity, and community can influence emotional well-being.

Adrian understands that balancing personal goals with family or cultural expectations can sometimes create stress, conflict, or uncertainty that may be difficult to discuss openly. He also recognizes that conversations about mental health, vulnerability, and emotional expression may not always feel comfortable or encouraged within every family or community.

Therapy can provide a space to explore these experiences without judgment. Adrian helps clients better understand family and generational patterns, strengthen communication, develop healthier boundaries, and determine which values and traditions they want to carry forward while creating space for personal growth and change.

His areas of interest include generational trauma, family conflict, cultural identity, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationship challenges, parenting, and parent-child relationships. Adrian also has a particular interest in boys’ and men’s mental health, including helping clients develop greater emotional awareness, strengthen communication, and feel more comfortable expressing vulnerability and asking for support.

Before beginning his clinical training, Adrian developed extensive experience in community-based services, youth development, family support, and working with people impacted by the criminal justice system. His work has included supporting formerly incarcerated individuals, people transitioning back into their communities, and formerly incarcerated college students pursuing higher education.

Through these experiences, Adrian has seen how stigma, family relationships, educational barriers, employment challenges, community systems, and past experiences can influence a person’s mental health and sense of possibility. He believes individuals are more than their past or the circumstances they have faced and approaches clients with dignity, curiosity, and respect for their capacity to grow.

Adrian has a special interest in supporting justice-involved individuals and people navigating reentry-related challenges. Therapy may provide an opportunity to process difficult experiences, rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships, develop healthier coping strategies, and work toward educational, professional, family, and personal goals.

His developing clinical approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered. Adrian views therapy as a collaborative process rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. He believes clients bring valuable knowledge about their own lives and works alongside them to identify strengths, understand patterns, develop coping skills, and create changes that align with their personal values and goals.

Adrian earned Bachelor’s degrees in Criminology, Law and Society and Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. He is currently pursuing his Master of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma and completing his clinical internship at Weber Counseling Services under supervision. Through ongoing education, clinical supervision, and professional development, he continues to strengthen his skills in assessment, therapeutic engagement, and evidence-informed care.

Adrian provides therapy in both English and Spanish. He recognizes that language can play an important role in how people express emotions, describe personal experiences, and build trust in therapy. His goal is to help clients communicate in the language that feels most natural and comfortable to them.

Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, family expectations, generational trauma, cultural identity, relationship difficulties, parenting concerns, reentry challenges, or a major life transition, Adrian offers a supportive space to better understand yourself, recognize your strengths, and work toward greater emotional well-being and meaningful change.