Maria Ortiz

Maria Ortiz, is a Bilingual ordained minister who has served as Lead Pastor of the House of Peace and Restoration in Springfield, Massachusetts since 2013. She is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Human Services from the Cambridge College in 2017, followed by earning her Master’s in Education in Mental Health/ Marriage and Family Therapy in 2019, from the same institution.

Maria is passionate about working with families, groups and individuals with a holistic approach. She enjoys seeing how the restorative power of the Gospel, in conjunction with evidence-based theories can have a transformation effect in the lives she has been privileged to serve. She has worked with families struggling with relationship problems, as well as individuals dealing with depression, trauma, addictions and anxiety. She considers herself Spiritual, Compassionate and eager to help others manage their life in a more holistic manner.

Dawn I Shanklin

Dawn is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She graduated from the Professional School of Psychology at Argosy University with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Dawn has worked in various community based, school and hospital settings as a clinician and adjustment counselor, providing mental health services to toddlers, children, adolescents, young adults, and families.

She is a dedicated, compassionate and skilled counselor with extensive experience in clinical assessment and trauma informed care for children, adolescents and families. The therapeutic approaches she uses are cognitive behavioral, client centered, psychodynamic, family therapy, and client centered play therapy.

*Now a certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator