BAY AREA COUNSELING & CONSULTATION, LLC

Rica S. Nelson, NCC, LGPC She/Her/Hers

The Work

Hello, I’m Rica. I am a licensed graduate professional counselor.  I graduated from Trinity Washington University where I received a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; in addition to receiving a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Sciences from The Catholic University of America.  My mission is to educate, empower and elevate individuals within my community to develop the necessary skills required to effectively promote community development, mental health awareness and spiritual growth.  I find fulfillment in using my knowledge and spirituality to assist people with discovering their true potential and their life’s purpose.

My clinical focus has been with individuals and groups in academic and outpatient settings, who have experienced loss and/or trauma. My professional goal is to combine the beauty of nature, spirituality and therapy to create an environment of healing. The primary modality I use in my therapeutic approach is Person Centered Therapy; I also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

A little bit more about me --

Therapy Services:

Individuals dealing with grief and loss
Individuals experiencing a terminal illness diagnosis
Trauma survivors
Anger management
Stress and anxiety related conditions
Spiritual counseling

Groups I feel knowledgeable about/allied with:

People of color, LGBTQ+ teens and adults, survivors of domestic violence and trauma, individuals seeking assistance with finding their life’s purpose

Trainings/Affiliations:

American Counseling Association (ACA), 2023
International End of Life Doula Association Training, 2019
First level certification in Usui Reiki System of Natural Healing - April 2015
Second level certification in Usui Reiki System of Natural Healing – July 2015
Master level certification in Usui Reiki System of Natural Healing - July 2018
Service Platform: Rica is only offering Telehealth services.

Fun Facts

I enjoy reading and watching movies with my children.
I am a nature lover, I especially love gardening and animals.
I was a professional psychic/medium from 2013 until 2018.

Readings:

Journal of a Starseed: Discovering the Real World
Last Chance in Texas: The Redemption of Criminal Youth
The Midnight Library: A Novel
Ancestor Paths: Honoring our Ancestors and Guardian Spirits Through Prayers, Rituals, and Offerings
Mama Lola: A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn (Comparative Studies in Religion and Society)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Anxious Children: A Manual for Treating Childhood Anxiety

Therapy Services and populations/dx you might refer out for:

Individuals who are experiencing active psychosis
Individuals who are experiencing active suicidal/homicidal ideations
Couples
Families
Individuals diagnosed with Autism, Intellectual disabilities, or other learning disabilities.
Individuals who require a higher level of care.

BAY AREA COUNSELING & CONSULTATION