Kaylen Castaño
Specialities: Latine Identity, Stress and Anxiety, Body Dysmorphia
Modalities: Humanistic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and somatic practices
Population: Adolescents and Adults
Credentials: In Progress -Master’s and Education Specialist Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
I am a mosaic of everyone I have loved, even for a heartbeat. The people who touch our lives shape the way we understand the world, how we hold our emotions, and the way we move through joy and pain. Therapy reflects that same sense of interconnectedness. It creates a space where we can slow down and examine our experiences; a place to sort through the pieces we have gathered and understand which ones still serve us and which ones we are ready to release. Healing begins when we feel safe enough to look at these pieces with honesty and compassion. My work comes from a person-centered and humanistic place, supported by approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and somatic practices when they can help bring clarity, grounding, or direction in a way that feels natural to you.
As a second–generation Latina and someone who deeply values culture, identity, and lived experience, I approach counseling with warmth, curiosity, and respect for your inner wisdom. I want to offer a safe space where you feel seen and supported as you explore who you have been and who you are becoming. My mission is to walk beside you in your healing, helping you make sense of the mosaic you carry and the story you are ready to create for yourself.
Why did you become a therapist?
Growing up as a second-generation Latina from Central America, I saw firsthand how rare mental health resources were for underrepresented communities and how deeply taboo therapy could be in my culture. Choosing this profession feels like an act of resistance. I’m breaking a silence that has shaped generations and creating the kind of support I once needed myself.
I became a therapist because I want to sit with people as fellow travelers in this strange and beautiful journey of being human! I hope to offer a space where culture, identity, and lived experience are honored, and where healing can feel possible, especially for people who have never been invited to imagine it before.
What can a client expect to experience in a session with you?
At my core, I’m a person-centered therapist. You can expect curiosity, cultural humility, warmth, and a genuine interest in who you are. I value humor, authenticity, and meeting you exactly where you are. I strive to be my sincere self and invite clients to do the same. I ask questions so that I can understand your world and the history that shaped it, and these questions are always offered with care and never with pressure. Those close to me have joked that I can be a little metiche, but always in the most loving way and only when that curiosity serves the moment. My goal is always to create a space where you feel safe enough to bring your full self.
I also believe strongly in tailored care. I want therapy to truly feel like it belongs to you. If your world includes games, fandoms, fantasy stories, streaming culture, or any kind of geek identity, I am more than happy to bring those interests into our work. The same goes for music, art, writing, or any creative outlet that feels meaningful to you. Your interests shape how you think, feel, and make sense of your experiences, and they deserve space in the healing process, too.
What can a client expect in session with you?
In session, we can slow down together, check in with what’s happening inside you, and make sense of whatever life has placed at your feet.
If you could be the therapist to one celebrity, who would it be?
A hard one for me….But I think I would choose Jenni “JWOWW” Farley from the show Jersey Shore. I know, I know….but hear me out! She lived through chaotic (and arguably traumatic) moments in front of the entire world during her twenties and thirties. And I am fascinated by the strength and loyalty she carried through all of it. I would love to explore how she understands herself now, what those years meant for her identity, what her coping has looked like across the years, and the kind of resilience it took to navigate her life while still showing up for her loved ones. She is someone who protected her people with everything she had, and I think there is something powerful and human in that story. Our sessions would be iconic, I fear.
How do you spend your free time?
Most of my free time is spent with my loved ones and with my dog Koishi, whom I absolutely treat like my child. I care for a patio full of plants, dance to eclectic music, read from an ever-growing stack of books, and explore new places when the weather is kind. I love video games, Dungeons and Dragons nights, watching streamers and long YouTube essays, and journaling before bed; gaming and geek culture are a big part of my life! I also try to move my body in ways that feel joyful rather than pressured. Sometimes that looks like walking trails or dancing around my living room, and other times it looks like finishing half of a yoga video and calling it a win. I like to think I am a well-rounded mix of cozy hobbies, creative outlets, and small adventures!
What’s your favorite quirk about yourself?
I have a huge love for astrology, tarot, and Feng Shui. Part of me understands that people debate the science behind these practices. The other part of me is indifferent to these discussions and is drawn to the creativity, imagination, and reflection they invite; I enjoy the way they give people a symbolic language to explore themselves! They can be powerful tools in helping people reflect on themselves in new ways if it resonates with them. Tarot, especially, feels like a little window into insight and symbolism that invites further consideration.If you ever want to talk about your signs or the energy you connect with, feel free to bring it in; only if it feels fun and comfortable for you!
What does social justice mean to you?
To me, counseling and social justice are inseparable. As a bilingual Latina therapist, I believe I have a responsibility to advocate for the well-being of my communities in every space I enter. Inside the therapy room, this means approaching clients with humility, honoring their lived experiences, and considering the broader world that shapes their daily lives. Outside of the therapy room, this means speaking against the systems and policies that cause harm and using my positions of privilege to support others whose voices are overlooked.I believe in protecting my marginalized identities while also using my areas of privilege to create space for those whose voices are overlooked, and that no one is free until everyone is free; I carry these beliefs strongly into my work.
How do you believe change happens?
I believe change grows out of awareness, reflection, and the desire to move differently in the world. A therapeutic relationship can offer a safe place to explore these shifts. Sometimes, change is something we choose through new insight. Sometimes life demands change from us through difficult or overwhelming circumstances. Either way, it is easier to face when you are not alone.
In therapy, my hope is to help you understand the patterns shaping your experiences so that you can choose new ways of moving through the world, wherever you are in your journey. Change can be a challenging process, but it can also guide you toward a version of yourself that feels more aligned and at peace.