Understand. Nurture. Grow.

Supporting the Cultivation of Flourishing Minds, Bodies, and Relationships 

Welcome!

Hello! I am Dr. Lourdes Ortiz Bautista. Welcome to my practice! ¡Bienvenido! I am a bilingual Mental Health Counselor licensed in Florida (LMHC) and California (LPCC), with expertise in treating mood, anxiety, substance use, and psychotic disorders, as well as trauma processing and relationship challenges. I work primarily with adults of all ages and genders, as well as couples. If my services are approved by your referral source, I also have experience and enjoy working with court-involved individuals. Comprometida con la comunidad hispana, ofrezco servicios en español e inglés.

I am committed to helping my clients explore and understand themselves better, gain insight, and overcome the challenges they may face. I enjoy supporting my clients in expanding their perspectives and facilitating strategies that enable intentional and meaningful changes, leading to a flourishing life.

I am credentialed with Aetna, Cigna, Oscar, Oxford, and United Health. 

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." — Confucius

Feeling overwhelmed and down? If you’re experiencing a heavy sense of sadness, struggling with a lack of interest in things you once enjoyed, or feeling weighed down by life, it can be hard to face these feelings alone. Depression can make even simple tasks feel insurmountable, but support is available to help you navigate through these emotions and find relief.


Struggling with anxiety? If you’re caught in a cycle of constant worry, feeling tense or restless, or unable to relax even when there’s no immediate threat, you’re not alone. Anxiety can make everyday situations feel overwhelming, but having a supportive, understanding person to help you manage your stress and regain a sense of calm can make a significant difference.


If you’re facing difficulties with your perception of reality, such as feeling detached from what’s real, experiencing confusing or unsettling thoughts, or having trouble distinguishing between what is real and what isn’t, support is available to help you manage these challenges. When reality feels distorted and daily life becomes overwhelming, a compassionate professional can offer guidance and stability.


Struggling with relationship challenges, such as conflicts with a partner or family dynamics that feel overwhelming? Having a compassionate professional to help you work through these issues can make a significant difference. Together, we can address these challenges and strive for healthier, more harmonious relationships.


Feeling overwhelmed by past experiences that still affect you deeply? If you’ve faced painful events and find it difficult to move forward, therapy can provide valuable support. Working with a compassionate professional can help you process these emotions, build resilience, and regain a sense of safety and peace.



"The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness." — Lao Tzu 


If any of these experiences resonate with you, then you have made the right choice by being here.  I know seeking help can be hard. You've likely been debating seeking help for months, if not years, but I'm so glad you have taken the courageous step of being here.  

Reaching out for therapy can be a meaningful step toward finding relief and support. Engaging in therapy offers a space to explore these challenges and work towards a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Together we can work to help equip you with the necessary tools to help you face and overcome your challenges. Whether you're struggling with increasing ability to manage symptoms of anxiety, mood and substance use disorders, evaluating and strengthening relationships, or processing trauma, it is important that you know you don't have to be alone in this journey. I have the experience to help you achieve your goals, overcome these struggles, and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

I recognize that everyone’s journey is unique, so I customize our sessions to address your specific challenges. Together, we'll explore your struggles and develop personalized, long-lasting strategies to help you move closer to the life you envision.

If you’re ready to work on overcoming your challenges and take the first step to move toward, I'm ready when you are. Contact me today and let's get to work.

Our Philosophy: The Embodied Approach

Integrating Mind, Body, and World

The term "embodied" highlights our belief that healing means understanding and integrating the experiences stored in our bodies. It acknowledges that our minds and brains are closely connected to our physical bodies through our nervous system and tension patterns, and that our mental and physical well-being extends into our relationships and experiences.

Influences and Inspirations

Bessel van der Kolk: The author of "The Body Keeps the Score," van der Kolk’s work highlights how trauma affects both the mind and body. His research emphasizes the importance of addressing trauma through body awareness and integrated therapies, shaping our approach to facilitate holistic healing and recovery.

Gabor Maté: His work emphasizes the link between emotional stress, trauma, and physical health. We incorporate his insights to address how stress and trauma manifest in the body and influence mental health.

Peter Levine: The creator of Somatic Experiencing, Levine's techniques help us release trauma stored in the body, facilitating deep healing and recovery. His work guides our methods in helping clients process and release traumatic experiences through bodily awareness and movement.

Dan Siegel: A pioneer in interpersonal neurobiology, Siegel’s work informs our understanding of how relationships and mindfulness practices can reshape the brain and body, promoting healing and well-being.

Buddhist Philosophy and Mindfulness: These practices teach us to be present and compassionate towards ourselves. By cultivating mindfulness, we help clients develop greater awareness of their bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions, fostering a deeper connection with themselves and their experiences.