I am a Mental Health Counselor licensed in Florida (LMHC) and California (LPCC) most experienced in the treatment of substance use, mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders. I became a psychotherapist because I enjoy helping others do better and understanding the world from multiple perspectives. Equipped with the tools I've gathered from my professional training and experiences, I am able to help clients find alternative ways to approach their challenges, gain new perspectives, and discover more effective solutions. 

I provide my clients with a structured and safe space to explore and rethink their challenges and possible solutions; process and release their feelings and emotions; acquire and practice strategies and skills; find the courage to change old thought patterns and habits; and discover new perspectives and solutions.

My clinical work intersects and is enhanced by my academic and bodywork backgrounds, as I am dually licensed as a massage therapist and hold a doctorate in Philosophy.

Dr. Lourdes Ortiz brings over five years of experience in helping individuals with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, including mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from Palo Alto University and a Doctorate in Philosophy with a specialization in Psychology from UCSC. Additionally, she completed a certificate in Holistic Health Care, concentrating on massage therapy, from UCSC’s Holistic Health Program.

Dr. Ortiz’s diverse experience includes managing complex mental health cases, conducting thorough assessments, developing personalized treatment plans, and providing both individual and group counseling. She has worked in various settings, such as correctional facilities, outpatient telehealth platforms, and residential treatment environments. Her work also involves supporting clients through crises and connecting them with necessary resources.

With a background in teaching Philosophy and a Yoga and Meditation enthusiast, Dr. Ortiz offers a compassionate and well-rounded approach to therapy. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality moments with her daughter and is currently learning to play the drums.

Holistic and Integrative Treatment

I adopt a trauma-based CBT approach as the backbone of my practice while integrating clinically sound interventions from various treatment approaches. As applicable, I may support you to explore and nurture your relationship to self, others, past, present or future.

I believe in addressing mental health challenges through a comprehensive approach that integrated mind, body and environment. My primary treatment modalities include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills
• Motivational Interviewing
• Somatic and Attachment-Based Trauma Processing
• Solution-Focused 
• Emotion-Focused Therapy (with Couples).