Mele Ortiz, LPC, Somatic Experiencing Advanced Level Student

I’m a therapist who works with children and adults. As a school counselor I worked with children aged 3-13 to teach social and emotional skills, to help make overwhelming moments more manageable, and put co-created plans into action to try to achieve long-term goals. I transitioned to counseling from a long career in theatre, film, tv, and advertising, and am acutely aware of the challenges unique to a job in these fields. I am a cis-gendered woman, a married mom of two, a life-long Chicagoan, and a daughter of a German-Bohemian mother and a Chinese-Filipino father from Hawaii.

I love working with:

• Kids, teens and grown-ups dealing with big feelings;
• Individuals who have experienced trauma;
• Kids and teens who need support in navigating and regulating emotions;
• Adults who feel stuck or out of sorts and are open to exploring what’s happening and why
• Adults from arts and entertainment fields dealing with stress

Some of my favorite approaches include:
First and foremost, I believe in a person-centered approach where the relationship between the counselor and the client is the foundation of everything else. My approach is based strongly on somatic theories which invite us to slow down and be curious about what we are experiencing from a body-centric viewpoint. I am also influenced by neuroscience and theories that highlight the importance of strong healthy relationships. I am interested in discovering and understanding more about the patterns in your life and seeing where that leads. We can work together to find ways to work toward your goals. In working with children, I encourage the use of play and talking when possible. Play can be both the language of children as well as a method of comfort. Caregivers and other important grown-ups will be an important part of the collaborative effort.

I believe:
So many of us plow through life with our nose to the grindstone, muscling through our challenges to get to the end of the day. One day we might discover that we have gotten ourselves stuck in a rut and aren’t sure how to get out. I believe that it is our body’s natural ability to want to heal that can allow each of us to move toward a healthier, more sustainable way of living. Through a safe, supportive relationship, and the willingness to explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences I believe that change can happen. I’m ready to learn more about you, meet you where you’re at, and create a plan for how to move forward.