Carolina Castillo LMFT

Ideally, aims for treatment are- Insight, Clarity, Identification of authentic wants/needs and how to achieve them, through support, emotional/mental processing and realistic problem resolution. Beginning with identifying the "presenting problem", discussing what specifically motivated you to seek help now, and gathering information about your life and background, in order to pinpoint what may be focus of ongoing sessions. Subsequent sessions can include attempts to find repetitive emotional patterns or mental beliefs, whether "positive" and therefore will be re-enforced, or modifying "negative" elements that may be obstacles to growth. Using the strengths and mitigating the blocks, we will continue to discuss your personal goals and how to best progress towards them.

Often using a few main theories but not limited to them: Cognitive/Behavioral to identify the erroneous beliefs impacting your life, and to learn and implement new strategies that will help you to cope and grow; Psychodynamic to determine any internal conflict, likely stemming from childhood, that may prevent growth in all areas; Transpersonal, to see you as a whole person, and work with you on all levels, including spiritual, if that is what you choose; and Humanistic, believing that we all have great potential and ultimately, personal responsibility and control over own lives. I may recommend exercise, journaling (of many kinds, process, food, mood etc) art, meditation, and anything else that may increase self awareness, insight, and mental/emotional balance.

• California, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT49235