About
Hi, I'm Rio.
I help clients feel more grounded, confident, and connected — both within themselves and in their relationships.
I'm a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker providing telehealth therapy to adults and couples in California and Massachusetts, with limited in-person availability in San Francisco. I support people navigating anxiety, identity stress, relationship challenges, and major life transitions with clarity, compassion, and practical support.
Warm. Collaborative. Grounded.
Therapy with me is a space where you can slow down, understand yourself more deeply, and build tools that genuinely help you feel more connected and resilient. I draw from evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, and ACT — while paying close attention to your lived experiences, identities, and the broader systems you move through.
As a queer clinician, I bring an affirming, culturally responsive lens to all of my work.
Shaped by community care.
Before private practice, I spent years supporting clients in community mental health, HIV care, and LGBTQ+ health settings in San Francisco. Those years shaped my core belief: healing is most possible when people feel seen, supported, and understood — not judged or rushed.
In sessions, expect a thoughtful balance of insight and skill-building. Many clients describe my style as steady, attentive, and honest — in a way that feels human and relatable.
Outside of therapy, you'll usually find me exploring the Bay Area, cooking new recipes, and spending time with my partner and our very talkative husky, Luka.
Trusted by colleagues.
I had the privilege of supervising Rio and consistently found him to be a thoughtful, ethical, and highly attuned clinician. He is especially skilled at helping clients slow down, make sense of complex emotional patterns, and build insight that translates into real-world change. I would trust him with clients seeking both depth and practical support.
Rio brings a rare combination of warmth, clinical rigor, and emotional attunement. He creates a therapeutic space that feels grounded, affirming, and genuinely human — especially for clients navigating anxiety, identity exploration, and life transitions. I would confidently refer clients to Rio without hesitation.
Beyond the therapy room
Clinical leadership & teaching.
Rio trains clinicians and presents nationally on therapeutic practice, clinical identity, and sustainable care.
Led a continuing-education workshop on CBT for Massachusetts mental health clinicians.
Presented on stress reduction and mental health strategies.
Provided training to clinical trainees on therapeutic approaches and clinical skill development.
Presented to student and seasoned social workers on career development, clinical identity, and sustainable practice.
Next steps