Cameron L. Ortega
Higher Education Educator
Bandera,TX
Summary
Cameron Lacy Ortega is a current PhD candidate with expected graduation in 2022. Ms. Ortega is a student-centered Professor with expertise in addiction studies. Ms. Ortega offers 4-year background supporting students, developing instructional plans and organizing and grading exams and tests. Commended for sustaining effective learning environment through prepared classes and relevant assignments and consistently achieving classroom management and academic goals. Ms. Ortega is a licensed professional counselor board approved supervisor (Texas) and a licensed chemical dependency counselor (Texas) with over 12 years of experience in clinical treatment. Ms. Ortega has experience as clinical director in outpatient treatment services and current clinical director at the School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling Wellness Clinic. Ms. Ortega has experience in design and implementation in qualitative and quantitative research in social sciences. Areas of research interest is in human interactions and technology, attitudes towards harm reduction, and counselor education.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Faculty
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
09.2018 - Current
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Developed and taught undergraduate courses in for department offerings serving major, minor and general students.
- Conducted engaging in-class discussions to facilitate learning and encourage participation.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Applied innovative teaching methods to encourage student learning objectives.
- Stayed abreast of developments within addiction studies to improve curriculum, develop new research and share with colleagues and students
Assistant Clinical Director
Pura Vida Counseling Services, PLLC
02.2010 - 08.2018
- Conducted regular home or community visits based on clinical needs of individualized programs.
- Trained staff on implementation of Individualized substance use treatment plans.
- Supported and led clinical team with one-to-one meetings and regular group training.
- Provided clinical supervision for licensed professional counselors, licensed chemical dependency counselors, and student enrolled in addiction studies internship and practicum courses.
- Developed policies and procedures for effective clinical management.
Therapist
Hildago County CSCD
07.2010 - 02.2012
- Counseled individuals, groups and families to bring awareness of problems, deal with crisis situations and develop action plans.
- Guided group therapy for substance use clients with focus on self-advocacy, self-healing and empowerment.
- Provided crisis support and emergency care for clients.
- Gathered information about clients using observational techniques and interviews, case histories and other assessment methodologies.
- Carried a case load of 20 inpatient patients with a substance use diagnosis.
Education
Ph.D. - Rehabilitation Counseling
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX 08.2019 - Current
Master of Science - Rehabilitation Counseling
The University of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX 12.2006 - 12.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Art
University of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX 08.2001 - 12.2006
Skills
Online Teaching
Substance use treatment
Lecturing
Online learning tools
Grant writing
Academic research
Licensures and Certification
- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. (June 2, 2010 - June 30, 2022).
- Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor. (February 2, 2012 - October 31, 2023).
Accomplishments
- Service and Community Engagement Award, College of Health Professions. (August 2021).
- Teaching Innovation Award, College of Health Professions. (August 2021).
- Faculty Excellence in Teaching Innovation - Online Teaching. (September 2, 2020).
Affiliations
- International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. (October 2020 - Present).
- The Texas Society of Allied Health Professions. (May 1, 2019 - Present).
- National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor. (April 1, 2018 - June 1, 2021).
- Texas Association of Addiction Professionals. (April 1, 2018 - June 1, 2021).
- Secretary, Valley Association of Addiction Professionals. (April 1, 2018 - June 1, 2021).
Research/Scholarship
Manuscript
- Ortega, C., Miller, E. (2020). Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress and Substance Use Disorders: Treatment Guidelines for Counselors (3rd ed., vol. 3, pp. 7). San Francisco, CA: Open Access Journal of Addiction and Psychology, Iris Publishers, Inc. 10.33552/OAJAP.2020.03.00056
Book, Textbook-New
- Blanco, E., Johnson, R., Ortega, C., Mercado, F. Introduction to Addiction (Working Title) (1st ed., vol. 1). Dubuque, IA: Great River Learning. https://www.greatriverlearning.com/contact-us
Presentations
- Finn, K., Ortega, C., (October 15, 2021). Expressive Arts Feminist Therapy for Trauma Resolution, Rebuild, Reconnect, Rejuvenate: Social Justice and Disability Following the Pandemic The National Rehabilitation Counseling Association (NRCA) in Chicago, Illinois.
- Chen, R., Ortega, C. L., (July 2021). First-Generation Hispanic College Students: Biculturalism, Familismo, and Alcohol Use, A New Rehabilitation Paradigm: Beyond "isms" to Equity National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns.
- Livingston, T., Ortega, C., (April 2021). Rapid Transition: Examination of the Experiences of Online Teaching for Higher Education Faculty in a Time of COVID-19, Virtual Graduate Student Research Showcase Graduate College.
- Ortega, C., (March 2021). Trench Art Therapy: Mask Project, Trench Art Therapy University of Texas Veteran Services in Online.
- Duarte, R., Ortega, C., (October 14, 2020). Reducing Anxiety and Depression during COVID-19 Pandemic, Horizon Montessori School Parent Meeting Horizon Montessori School in Online.
- Grizzell, S., Ortega, C., (October 9, 2020). Ethical Codes, Applicable Laws, Ethical Violations and Decision Making Models, Addiction Resource Center Lecture Series Addiction Resource Center in Online.
- Finn, K., Ortega, C., (August 18, 2020). Standards and Ethics in Telecounseling, Counseling & Employment Supports: Current Trend School of Rehabilitation Counseling and Services.
- Ortega, C., (June 5, 2020). Standards in Telehealth Provision, Issues in Counseling Series School of Rehabilitation and Counseling in Online.
- Grizzell, S., Ortega, C., (April 9, 2020). Ethical Codes, Decision, Dilemmas: What You Need to Know, Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Conference Palmer Drug Abuse Program in McAllen, Texas (Cancelled due to COVID-19).
- Ortega, C., Mercado, F., Palacios, P., (December 6, 2019). Perspectives from Community and Child Protective Services on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues, Mental Health and Addictions Issues in Child Protection Cases: Fall Stakeholder Seminar in University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
- Ortega, C., Gutierrez-Leal, S., (November 8, 2019). Expressive Arts in the Substance Use Treatment, Addiction Resource Center School of Rehabilitation and Counseling in McAllen.
- Ortega, C., Gutierrez-Leal, S., (September 19, 2019). Expressive Arts Interventions for Substance-Use Disorders with Hispanic Populations, The Texas Society for Allied Health Professions in Lubbock.
- Ortega, C., (October 13, 2018). Medication Assisted Treatment and Recovery, Recovery to Practice Valley Association of Addiction Professionals in Edinburg.
Research Currently in Progress
- "Examination of Perception of Telehealth by Persons with Disabilities" (data collection).
Service
Department Service
- Committee Chair, Non-Tenure-Track Annual Review Committee. (September 1, 2021 - Present).
- Committee Member, Online Teaching Committee. (August 2020 - Present).
- Clinical Director, SRSC Wellness Counseling Clinic Clinical Director. (October 1, 2019 - Present).
- Faculty Advisor, Aspiring Substance Abuse Professionals. (January 1, 2019 - 2021).
- Committee Member, Annual Review. (September 1, 2019 - August 2021).
- Committee Chair, Ad-Hoc Committee Policy and Procedures SRSC Wellness Clinic. (October 2020 - January 2021).
- Committee Member, AR Process ad-hoc committee. (September 2020 - January 2021).
- Committee Member, Expanded School Leadership Team. (March 2020 - August 2020).
- Committee Member, Rehabilitation Conference Planning Committee. (February 25, 2020 - August 20, 2020).
- Committee Member, BS in Addiction Tenure-Track Search Committee. (November 2019 - June 2020).
- Committee Member, Annual Review - Review Committee. (October 1, 2019 - November 1, 2019).
College Service
- Committee Member, College of Health Professions Faculty Evaluation Committee. (September 1, 2021 - August 1, 2023).
- Committee Member, Innovations in Teaching Committee. (September 15, 2021 - August 1, 2022).
Clinical Service
- Program Coordinator, The Wellness Project. (August 1, 2020 - February 2021).
- Therapist, University Counseling Center. (September 24, 2019 - April 1, 2020).
Public Service
- Board Member, Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, Texas. (September 12, 2020 - Present).
- Board of Directors of a Company, Palmer Drug Abuse Program, McAllen, Texas. (October 1, 2019 - Present).nt).
Timeline
Ph.D. - Rehabilitation Counseling
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
08.2019 - Current
Faculty
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
09.2018 - Current
Therapist
Hildago County CSCD
07.2010 - 02.2012
Assistant Clinical Director
Pura Vida Counseling Services, PLLC
02.2010 - 08.2018
Master of Science - Rehabilitation Counseling
The University of Texas Pan American
12.2006 - 12.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Art
University of Texas Pan American
08.2001 - 12.2006