Cameron OrtegaDr. Cameron Lacy Ortega serves as an Assistant Professor the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She attained her Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in December 2022, following her prio achievement of a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas – Pan American in December 2009. Licensed by the state of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Dr. Ortega specializes in providing comprehensive counseling services encompassing individual and group therapy. Her expertise extends to addressing various concerns such as substance use disorders and trauma resolution. Actively engaged in the field, Dr. Ortega contributes her leadership skills to both the executive board of directors for the Texas Rehabilitation Association and the executive board of directors for the Palmer Drug Abuse Program in McAllen, TX. Her research pursuits are anchored in the realms of addictions, rehabilitation counseling, and social justice. A central theme of Dr. Ortega's research involves exploring intersectionality—the intricate interplay of multiple social identities (e.g., race, gender, socioeconomic status) influencing an individual's experiences with addiction and rehabilitation. Her investigations delve into how these intersecting factors impact addiction, risk assessment, recovery pathways, and access to care. Her ultimate goal is to contribute insights that can shape evidence-based practices and policies, fostering more empathetic, fair, and efficacious approaches to addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery. Read More Read Less