Fatima "April" Castillo

I’m Fatima Castillo, LCSW, and I also go by April. I earned my Master of Social Work from Brandman University now University of Massachusetts Global and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California. My background in social work includes experience in child protective services, adult services, behavioral health case management, and school-based mental health. These roles have given me the opportunity to work with children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating a wide range of life circumstances and challenges. As a therapist, I have provided mental health services to adolescents and adults in a school-based setting and currently provide therapy to adolescents and adults through telehealth. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and self-esteem concerns.

My communication style is warm, down-to-earth, and conversational. I strive to create a relaxed, nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable being themselves, talking openly, and feeling genuinely heard and understood.

Growing up, I often witnessed conflict at home and learned to keep many of my feelings to myself. During a time when talking openly about emotions wasn’t always encouraged, I remember wishing I had someone who could help me understand and process what I was experiencing. That experience helped shape the kind of therapist I strive to be today—someone who provides the support, understanding, and encouragement clients may need while navigating difficult seasons in their lives.

I believe therapy should be a place where you don’t have to have everything figured out before you walk through the door. We can begin wherever you are.

My approach is collaborative, supportive, and practical. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed practices based on each client’s individual needs.

In our work together, we may explore patterns in thoughts, emotions, relationships, and behaviors while also developing practical tools you can use outside of therapy. This may include coping and grounding skills, emotional regulation, identifying personal strengths, setting healthy boundaries, challenging unhelpful thought patterns, and breaking larger concerns into manageable steps.

I don’t believe therapy should feel like someone simply telling you what to do. I want us to work together to identify what matters to you, understand what may be getting in the way, and develop strategies that feel realistic and meaningful in your life.

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, so I strive to make the first session feel like a comfortable conversation. We'll discuss what's bringing you in, what you'd like to work on, and what support looks like for you. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, understood, and hopeful about the journey ahead.