Zorayda Castillo

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University. I offer a warm, empathetic, and client-centered approach in my private practice, where I support individuals navigating a variety of life challenges.

My work is rooted in cognitive-behavioral principles and guided by a deep respect for each person’s unique story. I also incorporate creative and expressive modalities, including play therapy techniques for children, to help clients process emotions in a safe and developmentally appropriate way.

I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and adults who are facing issues such as trauma, anxiety, grief and loss, emotional regulation challenges, and life transitions. Many of my clients come to therapy seeking healing after difficult experiences, and I strive to create a supportive space where they feel empowered to grow and thrive.

Whether you're a parent looking for support for your child, or an individual seeking clarity and healing, I’m here to walk alongside you with compassion and care.

My approach to therapy is relational, compassionate, and grounded in both evidence-based and expressive practices. I believe that healing begins in a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients—children, teens, or adults—feel seen, heard, and supported.

I work with children, adolescents, and families, using a gentle yet structured approach that honors each client’s unique needs. My therapeutic work draws from several trusted models, including:

• Play Therapy to help children express thoughts and feelings through developmentally appropriate and symbolic means
• AutPlay® Therapy for neurodivergent children and those with developmental differences, blending play-based, behavioral, and relationship-building techniques
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) to challenge unhelpful thought patterns and support trauma recovery
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to develop skills in emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for clients working through trauma and distressing life experiences

In addition to talk therapy, I often incorporate creative modalities such as sandtray therapy to support nonverbal expression and emotional integration. I also offer faith-sensitive counseling and welcome spiritual exploration when it aligns with the client’s values.

My goal is to walk alongside each client with warmth, curiosity, and clinical insight, helping them build resilience, gain self-awareness, and experience meaningful growth.

Clients can expect to leave sessions with me feeling supported, heard, and equipped with practical tools to navigate life’s challenges. I strive to create a warm, nonjudgmental, and engaging environment where clients—whether children, teens, or adults—feel safe to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences at their own pace.

In our work together, clients often build greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and confidence in their ability to manage stress, relationships, and personal goals. With children and adolescents, I focus on fostering emotional regulation, improving behavior through skill-building, and enhancing communication with caregivers and teachers.

Depending on the client’s needs, sessions may include strategies drawn from CBT, DBT, EMDR, TF-CBT, play therapy, and AutPlay®—all tailored to support healing, growth, and empowerment.

Ultimately, my goal is for each client to walk away feeling stronger, more understood, and more connected to themselves and others. Therapy with me is not just about managing symptoms—it's about helping clients move toward meaningful change and a greater sense of well-being.