Mishelle Ortiz-Velez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with over nine years of clinical experience working with individuals, families, and couples. She recently received her PhD in Family Therapy, from Nova Southeastern University, and is passionate about using her continued education and experience to empower clients through the struggles they face.
Dr. Ortiz has extensive experience working with trauma, grief and loss, suicidality, high conflict divorce and separation, domestic violence, and co-occurring disorders. Special interests include helping individuals cope through family cycles and family structure adjustment periods such as blending families, divorce and separation, or adoption.
Dr. Ortiz strongly believes that, just as in all relationships, a successful therapeutic relationship is based on respect, transparency, and trustworthy interactions. Her framework for therapy is based on the understanding that with the appropriate support and the possibility of a new perspective, you can create opportunities to respond to difficulties in more effective ways.
Dr. Ortiz’s desire to help others is matched only by her desire to travel the world. The thrill and anticipation felt from boarding a flight provides her with a sense of joy that reinvigorates her desire to spread joy and amplifies the passion she has for her work. Clients describe Dr. Ortiz as warm, relatable, and understanding, with a unique outlook on life.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Avoidant personality, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
FL LMFT MT3026
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Mishelle Ortiz-Velez. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Mishelle pulled me through some hard times, but it was actually her actionable advice that impacted me the most. Every time I came to her, I left the session with copious notes that I could act on immediately. Thanks to her my relationship is on a healthy track and my family is there to back me up. Thank you Mishelle :)
Written on Sep 04, 2024 after therapy with Mishelle for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Dr.Ortiz-Velez is wonderful! I feel that she is open and willing to hear any concerns I may have and address them appropriately. I often feel like I am talking to a wise friend who supports me in making educated decisions. I enjoy my sessions with her!
Written on Aug 15, 2024 after therapy with Mishelle for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, relationship issues, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
I started seeing Dr. Mishelle two years ago when I found myself crying at work (teacher) before the school year even started. Since then she has helped me improve my work-life balance, helped me set boundaries with my family, helped me find ways to cope with stress that work for me, helped to improve my self-talk and self-care, and let go of perfectionism. She is kind, caring, and easy to talk to and I have seen vast improvement in myself these past two years thanks to her guidance. I am in a better place to advocate for myself, take on the pressures of work while going to school myself, and still enjoy life outside of that. Thank you so much, Dr. Mishelle!
Written on Aug 11, 2023 after therapy with Mishelle for 1 year and 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and self esteem
This service is amazing. It's a. It has helped me get to a great place in my life. My counselor is awesome! She knows me so well
Written on Jul 06, 2023 after therapy with Mishelle for 2 years and 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and grief
Dr. Ortiz-Velez has been helping me through one of the worst times of my life for a while. I appreciate her honesty, humor, and her holding space for me and my quirks. Good therapists are very hard to find, and I'm blessed to find one on my first go of therapy. I'd gatekeep her if I could. 10 out of 10, highly recommend!
Written on Dec 26, 2022 after therapy with Mishelle for 1 year and 11 months on issues concerning grief, and compassion fatigue
Dr. Ortiz-Velez is phenomenal. She has truly helped me change my internal monologue and given me tools to stop anxiety spirals. She really understands my needs and my specific struggles in today's world. My sessions are fun, full of helpful ideas, and just challenging enough to push me, but not to overwhelm me.
Written on Sep 13, 2022 after therapy with Mishelle for 1 year and 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, and compassion fatigue