- Client-centered care
- CBT tools
- Mindfulness practice
About Nathifa
Nathifa Riley is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Michigan with 9 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who are facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, family conflict, grief, and related concerns such as body image, caregiver stress, and guilt and shame.
Nathifa frames clients as the experts on their own lives and builds on existing strengths. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear conversation rather than jargon. She aims to help people talk through what is happening, notice unhelpful patterns, and try out different ways of coping.
Her approach mixes client-centered work with tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. That means listening first, then offering exercises to shift thoughts and emotions, and practices to increase attention to the present moment. She also draws on psychodynamic ideas to look at deeper patterns and solution-focused techniques to set short-term goals.
Clients often bring concerns about communication, control issues, forgiveness, isolation, or life purpose. Nathifa also supports people dealing with postpartum depression, trauma reactions, financial stress, and the fallout of divorce or separation. She uses straight talk and step-by-step methods to address these areas.
Sessions are conducted in English and reflect practical real-life needs. Nathifa recommends starting with a short matching questionnaire and a first appointment to clarify goals and the best approach moving forward.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Client-centered therapy centers the client's perspective and priorities, with the therapist reflecting what the client brings and helping them name goals. This approach helps when guilt or shame feels confusing because it starts from the person's own view. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with small experiments. CBT is useful for guilt and shame that shows up as repetitive negative thinking, by teaching practical skills to shift those patterns. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention practices to notice emotions and bodily reactions without judgment. These practices can reduce the intensity of shame and make it easier to choose a different response in the moment. Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods fit best based on goals, preferences, and how reactions show up in daily life. That decision can change over time as needs evolve. Confirm which session formats are offered before booking, since the biography does not list specific options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time so therapy is simpler to attend. Discussing practical scheduling needs and session length is part of the first meeting.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, family conflict, grief, and depression. Additional focuses include body image, caregiver stress, forgiveness, and guilt and shame.
How would she approach feelings of shame or guilt?
She starts by listening to the story and identifying patterns that keep those feelings active. Methods include client-centered conversation, CBT exercises to reframe thoughts, and mindfulness to notice emotions without getting swept away.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has nine years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and relational concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LMSW, which stands for Licensed Master Social Worker, and she practices in Michigan.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed in the biography.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to get started.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.