Zahedi Castillo

Being first-generation born and living in the South Bronx, mental health was not a topic discussed in many households. It was a difficult conversation to have when you did not have the necessary tools and support. In my career, I’ve often worked in settings where there was a disconnect to the population served. I have spoken with people about their experiences with therapy who have told me that they could not connect with their therapists because of their lack of cultural competency.

I utilize an eclectic approach, going off of people’s needs and goals. For me, progress involves taking a step forward in achieving those goals. Clients can expect sessions to be tailored specifically to their needs, whether that involves reflective work or exercises to practice in between sessions.

My goal is to continue to bridge the gap between access and mental health normalization in everyday conversations. I hope to practice through a lens that explores multicultural issues and how our upbringing creates and shapes the people we are today.