I am Dr. Cameron Ortega and a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in the state of Texas. I received my PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I have been practicing therapist for 15 years. I see my role as a therapist as a support and guide to assist you in reaching your goals.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our initial session, I aim to create a safe and welcoming space where you feel comfortable and heard. We'll start by getting to know each other and discussing why you've chosen therapy, exploring the challenges you're facing, and understanding what you hope to achieve through our sessions. Your thoughts, feelings, and goals are the priority, so I'll actively listen and ask questions to fully grasp your situation.
We'll delve into relevant aspects of your life, history, and current struggles. I'll also provide insights into the therapeutic process, confidentiality, and the approach I propose based on your unique needs. Together, we'll outline a plan for our future sessions, ensuring that our collaboration aligns with your goals and preferences.
Overall, the first session is about building rapport, establishing trust, and setting the groundwork for a supportive therapeutic relationship where you can feel empowered and supported on your journey toward positive change.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
One of my core strengths lies in fostering a collaborative and empathetic therapeutic environment. I prioritize empathy, ensuring clients feel heard and supported while guiding them through their therapeutic journey. I firmly believe in adapting my approach to suit each individual, recognizing that everyone's experiences and needs are different. By tailoring interventions and drawing from evidence-based practices, I aim to empower clients to navigate challenges, fostering growth, and facilitating positive change in their lives.
About Dr. Cameron Ortega
Appointments
Free consults, virtual
My treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on acceptance strategies and mindfulness techniques to help individuals develop psychological flexibility. It emphasizes accepting one's thoughts and feelings rather than trying to control them and encourages commitment to taking action aligned with one's values. In practice, I use mindfulness exercises, values clarification, and behavior change strategies to assist clients in pursuing meaningful actions while learning to handle difficult thoughts and emotions more effectively.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach focused on identifying and modifying dysfunctional thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It involves examining the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, aiming to replace negative or unhelpful patterns with more adaptive ones. In my practice, I integrate CBT techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and psychoeducation to help clients challenge distorted thinking, develop coping skills, and make constructive behavioral changes that improve their mental health and well-being.
Gestalt
Gestalt therapy is a humanistic and experiential form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the present moment experience, personal responsibility, and the importance of the therapist-client relationship. It focuses on increasing self-awareness and understanding how individuals relate to themselves, others, and their environment. In my practice, when utilizing Gestalt therapy, I encourage clients to explore their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in the present moment, use techniques to facilitate awareness, and help clients integrate fragmented parts of themselves for personal growth and improved self-acceptance.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy involves incorporating mindfulness techniques and practices into various therapeutic approaches to promote self-awareness, acceptance, and present-moment focus. Mindfulness-based approaches, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), often involve mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, and other mindfulness practices to help individuals observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
In my practice, I integrate mindfulness-based techniques to help clients develop greater self-awareness, manage stress, reduce anxiety or depression, and improve overall well-being. This might involve teaching mindfulness exercises, guiding clients through meditation practices, and incorporating mindfulness principles into other therapeutic modalities to enhance clients' ability to cope with challenging situations and cultivate a more mindful and compassionate outlook on life.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a counseling approach designed to help individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about behavior change. It's collaborative and person-centered, aiming to evoke an individual's intrinsic motivation to make positive changes in their lives. MI involves techniques such as reflective listening, expressing empathy, avoiding confrontation, and supporting self-efficacy.
In my practice, I employ MI to assist clients in exploring their thoughts and feelings about change, helping them identify their own motivations and reasons for change. I use open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing to engage clients in a non-confrontational manner, fostering a supportive environment where they can clarify their goals, strengths, and potential barriers to change. MI helps clients explore their readiness for change and empowers them to move toward their desired goals at their own pace.
