Author
Maria Ortiz, LMHC (she/her) graduated with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Keiser University. She currently is a co-owner of BreakFree Therapy Services, LLC. Maria provides individual, group, and family psychotherapy specializing in eating disorders for all ages with an emphasis on children and faith-based counseling upon request. As a D1 gymnast, Maria also is equipped to work with athletes as well.
Maria is a leading voice in the eating disorder community, and was a Key Note Speaker at “Normal is Overrated”, a Kids Minds Matter Event.
She continues to run in-services and educational trainings for professionals at neighboring community mental health centers and hospital systems given her expertise in eating disorders.
Previously she authored, edited, and managed a monthly eating disorder blog disseminating pertinent information to her community.
Maria received her Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology from University of Iowa which allows her to provide collaborative and informed care needed within the eating disorder field. She is paneled on the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician and has experience working in rehabilitation for a dual diagnosis inpatient/residential facility.
Influence of Autism Diagnosis on Anorexia Nervosa Pathology and Prognosis
My Story: Development Through the Lifespan I was a happy child, with many saying I was quirky, in my own world, but appeared content to be there. However, as I got older, I noticed increasing turbulence in how I was feeling, becoming far more aware of feeling different. It felt like everyone around me got […]
Fiona Hollings, BS + 2 more
November 30, 2025
Pregnancy and Eating Disorders Among Cisgender Women
General Mental Health, Pregnancy, and Cisgender Women One in five adults are impacted by mental health concerns in the United States. There is nearly a 12% discrepancy between prevalence of mental health concerns in men (40%) and women (51.7%; National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2023). This divergence begins as young as puberty, where the ratio […]
Zoe Ross-Nash, PsyD + 1 more
March 3, 2025
Eating Disorder Symptom Presentation Across Different Athletes
While eating disorders are prevalent across all communities, eating disorders in athletes have an even higher occurrence rate than the general population. Approximately 19% of athletes endorse eating disorder pathology, while it occurs in about 9% of the general population (Ghazzawi, et al., 2024; Pike, 2024). Some research indicates these numbers are even higher, with […]
Maria Ortiz, MS, LMHC, CEDS + 1 more
December 11, 2024