Licensed Clinical Psychologist (California) PSY #33436 Licensed Telehealth Psychologist (Florida) TPPY 1781
PSY #33436, TPPY 1781
Dr. Castillo graduated summa cum laude from California Southern University. Her dissertation was titled, "The Evolution of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment: Lessons Learned from MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy." Based on her research and clinical experience working with trauma, she developed the PACT model as an approach that highlights four cornerstones of effective therapy: Presence, Acceptance, Connection and Transcendence. An article on this approach was published in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology ("The PACT Model: Improving Outcomes in the Treatment of PTSD").
Dr. Castillo has presented twice at the International Summit on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma in San Diego, and completed a two-year fellowship at the Wright Institute in Los Angeles (WILA) in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, where she continues to guide students. Outside of supervision and clinical work, Dr. Castillo actively supports the research of Dr. Kate Chard, co-founder of Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, and Director of PTSD Research Programs at the Cincinnati VA.
Dr. Castillo is licensed to practice psychology in California (#33436) and for telehealth in Florida (TPPY1781).
Dr. Castillo specializes in the treatment of anxiety and trauma-related disorders, including PTSD. She is invested in helping high-drive individuals grow through expected and unexpected change. Trained in evidence-based and research-backed therapies, Dr. Castillo is at heart a traditional “talk therapist” who believes that meaningful change takes place through relationships that foster safety and connection.
En route to becoming a licensed psychologist, Dr. Castillo spent time in law school, teaching yoga, and training horses. She now lives on a ranch with her husband, a Marine Corps veteran, and spends much of her spare time outdoors. You can learn more at dr-castillo.com.
“The purpose of psychotherapy is to set people free.” – Rollo May
