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.
Professional experience
3 yrs in practice
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefSelf esteem, MotivationCoping with life changes
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
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.
She is truly amazing!!!
Written on Jul 23, 2025 after therapy with Mishelle for 1 year and 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, and anger management
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
Dr. Ortiz-Velez is an amazing therapist. I really appreciate her expertise and the worksheets that she provides. Since joining Better Help and being matched with her I have seen so much improvement in my life. She is excellent and connecting with my background and providing culturally relevant care
Written on Jun 23, 2022 after therapy with Mishelle for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and compassion fatigue
I feel so much better after working with her! She really helped me see that I could turn myself around, and I can't thank her enough for that.
Written on Jun 23, 2022 after therapy with Mishelle for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
She is helpful and understanding.
Written on Apr 05, 2022 after therapy with Mishelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Dr. Ortiz Velez has been amazing so far! She’s helped Me see things and do things and give me confidence to help myself. She’s helped me focus on things within myself but I look past constantly. Shes very kind And reassures me of things that I am possibly doubting. I’m always happy to speak with her!
Written on Feb 16, 2022 after therapy with Mishelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
Amazing
Written on Jan 02, 2022 after therapy with Mishelle for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and compassion fatigue
Really sweet friendly and fun! After just a few weeks she’s helped me through so much! I would 100% recommended her to friends or family! Thank you Dr. Ortiz-Velez!!!
Written on Dec 10, 2021 after therapy with Mishelle for 4 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with life changes, trauma and abuse, adhd, parenting issues, and compassion fatigue
I am about to have my third session with Dr. Ortiz-Velez. She’s insightful, funny, and makes me feel comfortable to be vulnerable and share my feelings. She offers me a safe space to open up and gives me thoughtful takeaways that stay with me. I am grateful to have been matched with her!
Written on Oct 13, 2021 after therapy with Mishelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and career difficulties
I turned to Dr. Ortiz-Velez in a turbulent time in my marriage when illness was making the relationship hard. I had become a caregiver and was dealing with personality changes in my wife as well as the demands of the caregiving. Dr. Ortiz-Velez was able to help me articulate, understand, and frame my experiences in a way that allowed me to find meaning in a difficult situation. Ultimately a health crisis arose and in a matter of two days my wife died. Dr. Ortiz-Velez was then able to help me reframe my situation and reactions, in light of medical information that became available, so I could hold dear the positive elements of our 30+ year relationship while letting go of the negative experiences of the period of illness. She helped me begin to navigate the new realities as I worked to discover my authentic single self while still holding in sacred memory the love my wife and I had shared. I know the path ahead will not be linear and other trying times will come, but I feel whole and hopeful.
Written on Jun 02, 2021 after therapy with Mishelle for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
It’s only been a few weeks and I feel changes. I feel heard and I’m starting to understand things that had me baffled. I have no doubt in my mind that the journey of healing will continue with Dr Ortiz-Velez.. she is so sweet and caring. She is very educated and teaches you things that make very blurry concepts clear and I’m grateful.
Written on Apr 09, 2021 after therapy with Mishelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
She is caring and helpful
Written on Nov 04, 2020 after therapy with Mishelle for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and adhd
I really enjoy speaking with her! She has helped me figure out a lot of things already.
Written on Nov 04, 2020 after therapy with Mishelle for 3 weeks
Dr. Ortiz is extremely personable and makes it very easy to share with her.
Written on Sep 02, 2020 after therapy with Mishelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
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