Vanessa Perez-Ortiz, LMHCA

Education, training, and experience

I earned my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Washington University in 2026. I completed my clinical internship at Lutheran Community Services Northwest in Spokane, where I provided counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults in a community mental health setting. During my internship, I developed and facilitated a teen coping skills group, designing and implementing the curriculum to support adolescents in building healthy coping strategies and emotional resilience. Additionally, I have completed training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Plus (CBT+), further strengthening my evidence-based clinical practice.

Treatment Modality and Therapeutic Orientation

My goal as a clinician is to create a safe, supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to heal, grow, and achieve their unique goals. I approach therapy through a trauma-informed, client-centered framework, recognizing each person's strengths, experiences, and individual needs. I incorporate evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to help clients develop practical skills, build resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change. I especially enjoy working with children and adolescents and value the opportunity to incorporate creative, hands-on activities into therapy. By using developmentally appropriate and engaging interventions, I strive to help young clients build coping skills, process emotions, and feel confident in expressing themselves.