Riah Castillo

I believe our time together should be a collaborative journey where you can feel heard, supported, and respected as we talk and explore life’s challenges. I want my clients to feel welcomed into a warm space with a friendly smile, but also with a conversation that has a focus on fast solutions for things that clients are bringing to the conversation to improve.

My counseling approach is eclectic - meaning we will use what works.

One focus I often use is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Because I have a belief that a big part of emotional distress are patterns of thinking that can quickly be changed. I may ask you to partner with me to change some of these thoughts in a way that feels warm and supported - never like a cookbook or worksheet. We work together to emphasise patterns of thoughts that have a fast impact on helping you to feel better right away. I might even ask you to jot down thoughts and put them in places you can be reminded of them and even rehearse them like lines in a theatre play!

With this approach, it is meant to help the client address and reframe thought patterns while developing useful coping techniques. But how I approach this is with a philosophy of person-centered values to create a supportive, empowering space to grow. Meaning that I respect your thoughts and feelings and see them as valid. Perhaps thoughts and feelings and behavioral patterns were once useful and necessary, but are no longer the way to go. Change is tough but it is easier with a trusted, warm guide.

Riah believes in meeting clients where they are at. When asked about this by a colleague, she stated, “….it is important to recognize a client’s strengths and experiences even if they are in pain and need to change them by exploring new perspectives, promoting resilience, and helping them move toward their goals.”

She has experience treating depression, anxiety disorders, and helping people through life changes, and helping people through painful grief. Clients can explore freely - safely, gain insight, and feel connected. Riah is finishing her Master's and internship under the supervision of Tim Jenkins, LCPC, and can see clients through in person or telehealth or a combination.