Michelle Castillo
Sometimes the things you’re feeling or doing don’t make sense to you yet. You might wonder why certain situations affect you so strongly, how your past is showing up in your life now, or what a diagnosis means for you. You don’t need to have those answers before starting therapy. I’m a bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking Latinx/e therapist. I work with adults navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, and changes in their lives. I give you room to talk about what’s happening while helping you explore connections, understand your reactions, and figure out what might help. My approach is warm, curious, and down-to-earth.
First session
Our first session is a chance to get to know each other and talk about what brought you to therapy. I’ll ask about what’s been happening, some of your background, and what you’d like support with. You’ll also have space to ask questions and get a feel for how I work. You don’t need to prepare a speech or share everything at once. We can start with what’s on your mind and take it from there. Together, we’ll begin figuring out what you want from therapy.
Strengths
I’m a thoughtful listener, and I want you to feel heard without feeling judged. I’ll give you space to talk, ask questions, and help you explore how your experiences may be affecting you. I also enjoy breaking things down in everyday language. Whether we’re talking about anxiety, trauma, or a diagnosis, I want the information to feel clear and connected to your life—not like a list of clinical terms. We can use that understanding to explore patterns and talk about practical ways to manage what you’re going through.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with adults who want to understand themselves better, even if they aren’t sure where to begin. You may be dealing with anxiety, the effects of difficult past experiences, grief, or a change that has left you feeling unsettled. You might want space to talk about your life while also exploring questions like, “Why does this affect me so much?” or “How is my past connected to what’s happening now?” You don’t have to know the answers or feel comfortable opening up right away. We can explore things together at a pace that works for you.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
We’ll look at how your thoughts, feelings, and actions connect, using examples from your own life. Together, we can notice patterns that may be making things harder and explore different ways of responding. The goal is to find approaches that make sense to you and are useful outside our sessions.
EMDR
Sometimes you know a difficult experience is in the past, but reminders of it still bring up strong feelings or reactions. EMDR is a therapy that helps you work through distressing memories so they can feel less overwhelming and have less of a hold on your daily life. It can involve focusing on parts of a memory while using guided eye movements or alternating taps.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- New YorkLicense 096098