Who is your therapist?
Britt Ornelaz
M.S., LCPC, LCADC
I am a licensed mental health professional who is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and create meaningful, lasting change. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications from California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), followed by a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). I have been practicing in the mental health field since 2021 and became a fully licensed independent mental health professional in March of 2026. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of individuals, including children, adolescents, and adults, across a variety of community programs, treatment settings, and professional environments. These experiences have allowed me to develop a flexible and individualized approach to therapy based on each person’s unique needs, experiences, and goals. I specialize in working with individuals experiencing addiction and substance use concerns and hold an LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor) credential. I have extensive experience supporting individuals with addiction in both treatment center settings and individual therapy. I also have experience providing individual, couples, family, and group therapy, as well as crisis intervention. I believe therapy is most effective when it is individualized and progresses at a pace that feels appropriate for each person. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental, and collaborative environment where people feel heard, respected, and empowered to take the lead in their own growth and healing. I view each person as the expert in their own life, and my role is to provide guidance, support, and therapeutic insight while honoring their individual experiences, values, and goals. Therapy can be uncomfortable, particularly when exploring long-standing patterns, difficult experiences, or considering changes that may initially feel unfamiliar. I believe that warmth, authenticity, and appropriate humor can help make that process feel more natural, approachable, and sustainable. While meaningful change is not always easy, the therapeutic environment does not have to feel rigid or intimidating. I strive to bring empathy, genuine understanding, and nonjudgmental listening into each session while creating space for both difficult conversations and moments of levity. Ultimately, my goal is to develop a trusting therapeutic relationship where clients feel safe being themselves, exploring challenges openly, and working toward meaningful change without feeling pressured to move faster than they are ready to. I am here to support and guide the process while allowing each client to define what growth and progress look like for them.
My Approach
My approach to therapy is humanistic, holistic, and client-centered, with an emphasis on understanding the whole person rather than focusing solely on a diagnosis or presenting concern. I believe meaningful therapeutic work begins with a strong, trusting relationship where clients feel respected, understood, and supported. I tailor treatment to each individual’s needs, goals, experiences, and readiness for change. I draw from a variety of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-focused interventions, mindfulness, somatic approaches, and Motivational Interviewing. CBT can help clients develop greater awareness of the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while identifying patterns that may no longer be serving them. When working with trauma, I take a trauma-informed and trauma-focused approach that prioritizes safety, trust, and client readiness. I recognize that exploring difficult experiences can be challenging, and I work collaboratively with clients to ensure that this process occurs at a pace that feels manageable and appropriate for them. I incorporate mindfulness and somatic approaches to help clients develop greater awareness of the connection between their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical experiences. Building awareness can be an important first step toward recognizing patterns, understanding emotional responses, and developing healthier ways of responding to life’s challenges. I also utilize Motivational Interviewing to help clients explore their own reasons for change, strengthen motivation, and work through ambivalence without judgment or pressure.
Psychoeducation is another important component of my work. I believe that understanding why we think, feel, and respond in certain ways can help clients develop greater insight and feel more empowered in the therapeutic process. Depending on the client’s needs, I may incorporate practical skills, mindfulness strategies, emotional regulation techniques, cognitive restructuring, and other evidence-informed interventions. My areas of focus include addiction and substance use concerns, trauma and difficult life experiences, emotional and behavioral patterns, life transitions, and relationship concerns. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as providing individual, couples, family, and group therapy and crisis intervention. Above all, I strive to meet clients where they are and recognize that there is no single approach to therapy that works for everyone. I respect each client’s autonomy and allow them to take an active role in determining what they want to work on and how they would like to approach that work. My goal is to provide a supportive, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can build awareness, develop new skills, and work toward meaningful and sustainable change.
Starting therapy can feel a little uncomfortable, and sometimes it can be difficult to know what to expect. My goal is to make the first session feel welcoming, comfortable, and as natural as possible. You do not need to have everything figured out, know exactly what you want to talk about, or have the “right” words to explain what you are going through. We can start wherever you are. During our first session, we will spend time getting to know one another and talking about what brought you to therapy, what you have been experiencing, and what you would like support with. I will also learn more about your background, relationships, strengths, and the areas of your life that may be affecting how you are feeling today. I believe therapy is a collaborative process, so you will have an active role in deciding what we focus on and where we go from there. I will ask questions, listen, and help you begin making sense of the thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and patterns that may be getting in the way of the life you want. When appropriate, we may begin introducing strategies or psychoeducation based on what you need. Most importantly, you can expect to be met with empathy, warmth, and without judgment. I understand that change can be difficult, and I do not expect you to share more than you are ready to share or move faster than what feels right for you. Sometimes the first step is simply having a place where you can be honest and feel heard. You do not have to walk into your first session with a plan. We can figure that out together.