Lauren Ortiz (she/her)

Imagine waking up, looking forward to your day instead of feeling like it's too much to handle. Picture yourself doing the things you love again and moving forward as a survivor from the traumas of the past. See you/your child involved in life again, enjoying school/work, friends, and all the activities that make a kid, a kid or adulting with ease! I approach these difficulties in life from a client-centered and cognitive behavioral standpoint. Basically, I believe that if you can change the way you think of a problem, it will change your behaviors and, in turn, your emotions about the issue. This sounds so simplistic and easy, but don’t worry, I promise we'll be doing some work (aka crying and cussing along the way!). I utilize dialectical behavioral techniques (DBT) with a trauma informed approach when appropriate and feel that mindfulness exercises are a great aid for a variety of concerns.

I value everyone's right to individuality and free expression. At the end of the day, we are all human and deserve to be treated with the same level of respect and acceptance. Why does this matter to me? Because this is the world I want my children to grow up in. This is the type of society I want my friends, family, and myself to live in. When you work with me, I hope that it becomes apparent immediately that you are accepted and valued. The concerns that bring you to therapy do not define you as an individual. Your identity as a human being with struggles (like the rest of the world!) will be protected and tended to in an effort to encourage your growth towards a healthy, happy, and balanced life. In my personal life, I'm a mom to 3 teen boys and a gazillion cats. I enjoy being active and think there is a huge mind/body connection that improves our mental well-being when we get moving.