About

Hi there, I'm Kathleen! I'm Kathy Casillas Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, practicing in the field for almost 17 years. In my many years as a therapist I find myself using DBT, and Strength Based Approaches, as well as Art therapy for a bottoms up approach which works great to combat fears and anxiety. My favorite mantra is "Don't look back- your not going that way" by Mary Engelbreit. My approach I find that DBT and Mindfulness skills are very helpful for finding balance in our current hectic world. In my 17 years of doing therapy, I have seen the role that faith plays in healing, and I don't shy away from client's who want to discuss their faith or who may struggle with it. Using Art and Narrative therapy have also been a nice little way to offer some change for client's who may want to try something different. My focus I have worked with all ages from as young as 5 to 75, Typically I work with older teens and older adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma and life changes. I have found that teaching coping skills and tools that can be used daily help to combat symptoms of anxiety and depressed mood. My communication style During a session, I like to think of the room I am in as a Sacred Container, the space must be peace filled, and quiet, the ambiance is inviting and calm. The feedback I have received from past clients is that I am able to be empathic and over all accepting of where they are on their journey. My journey to therapy When I was in high school, my school counselor saw that I had good qualities and allowed me to be part of the "Peer Counseling Program" at school. I loved doing this, and knew right away that the field was for me. Unfortunately, life threw me some curves, and unforeseen circumstances that would delay my entry to Graduate School. The losses, the pain and being divorced at such a young age was not part of my life plan, but also gave me the strength and knowledge I would find as beneficial in working with clients.