Viridiana Ortíz, PhD, LCSW-S, a celebrated expert in the areas of mental health psychotherapy and social work, is a clinical assistant professor in The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Social Work Department, where she teaches aspiring social workers and uniquely contributes to the academic community through research, curriculum development, and faculty initiatives. Moreover, she is the founder and clinical director of the Mind Forward Health Center, managing clinical operations, delivering high-quality clinical services, and overseeing a team of therapists, interns, and administrative support.
Honored often during her career for her work and dedication, Dr. Ortíz has won the Guiding Principles Award from Project BRAVO, the Shaking Hands Award from the Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, and the Member of the Year Award from the Student Association of Social Workers, to name a few. Achieving academic excellence in preparation for her career, Dr. Ortíz earned a Doctor of Philosophy in social work specializing in mental health in the Hispanic community from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, as well as a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Social Work, both from UTEP, in addition to becoming a licensed clinical social worker with supervision designation through the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners.
Dr. Ortíz’s early professional experience allowed her to gain expertise in mental health coordination, clinical social work, research, and other areas through Catholic Counseling Services, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, CIMA Hospice, Sierra Providence East Medical Center, the Universidad de Costa Rica’s Minority Health International Research Training Program, and the Nazareth Hall Nursing Center. Sought after for her knowledge, she has presented at conferences about the barriers affecting the Hispanic community and about depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staying abreast of professional developments while contributing to her field, Dr. Ortíz is closely affiliated with the National Association of Social Workers, Phi Alpha Honor Society, and the Health Resources & Services Administration. She also takes great pride in her involvement with the Council of Social Work and Education, through which she collaborated with social workers in Washington, D.C., and secured funding for her ongoing education.
Dr. Ortíz is grateful to her family, mentors and the team at UTEP for their support throughout her career. In her next steps, she will work to expand mental health services in her area with the goal of further developing her services in private while maintaining partnerships with vital agencies.