

Life is a journey. Sometimes, it's a really really arduous trek! I would be honored to join with you as you progress in personal development and hopefulness. I am EMDR trained to assist in processing trauma, anxiety and other issues. My office is conveniently located in Richardson, TX, however I also offer remote therapy to individuals throughout Texas.
Hello, please feel free to call me Jay! I am a counselor dedicated to helping people navigate life's transitions with a sense of calm and purpose. I hold an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University, but my perspective is also shaped by a decade of service as a Firefighter EMT-B. Having worked in everything from emergency services and healthcare to the Walt Disney Company and local business management, I specialize in helping others navigate career transitions, school preparation, and life pivots. My diverse background allows me to meet you exactly where you are, no matter your professional or personal path.
I am a Latina, licensed therapist. I have over 10 years of clinical experience, ranging from Applied Behavioral Analysis & crisis counseling on the National Suicide Hotline to research with veterans recovering from Opiod addiction at UCLA. Special fields of concentration include neuropsychological trauma work through the Neuro-sequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), extensive bilingual training in EMDR through certification with EMDRIA.
Therapy is a deeply personal journey. It is one that is unique to each individual. Whether we meet weekly or biweekly, I encourage my clients to bring the aspects of life they’d like to explore and grow through. Together, we can uncover the roots of your struggles and develop ways to navigate discomfort and pain. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. It’s tailored to your needs, whether that means working through a specific challenge—feeling stuck, sad, or angry—or simply gaining a deeper understanding of yourself. With me, you will find a space where you are seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.
Katherine Castelo, LCSW is a licensed therapist and certified clinical supervisor in Virginia, Texas, Florida, West Virginia, Indiana, Maryland, and Colorado. With over 25 years of experience, she specializes in trauma, military and veteran mental health, first-responder wellness, grief, deployment-related stress, and major life transitions.
A former Marine Corps veteran spouse, Katherine brings lived experience and deep cultural understanding to her work. She has served across the DoD, VA, nonprofit, and civilian sectors, providing high-level clinical care, consultation, and program leadership.
She previously oversaw a Defense Health Agency program for transitioning service members and served as the U.S. Army Reserve Psychological Health Program Director, leading outreach for more than 200,000 soldiers and families and advising on post-suicide psychological autopsies as part of the USAR Fatality Review Board.
Katherine also worked as a civilian Employee Assistance Program (EAP) manager for the U.S. Navy and as a casualty assistance consultant for NCIS, developing programs focused on readiness, crisis response, and deployment-cycle support.
As founder of Awaken Wellness Center, her practice centers on trauma recovery, crisis intervention, and integrative therapies. She is trained in Brainspotting, IFS-informed work, and trauma-responsive care, and has provided trainings for service members, clinicians, and community providers on PTSD, MST, suicide prevention, and Brainspotting.
Today, Katherine consults with the SAFE Project’s SAFE Veterans initiative and teaches caregiver wellness classes with Semper Fi & America’s Fund, bringing compassionate, evidence-based, culturally grounded care to military members, veterans, first responders, caregivers, and their families.


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