About

Hi! I am Vivian Castaneda, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based out of Southern California, San Gabriel Valley area. With the help of telehealth, I am able to meet with clients from anywhere in California. I have over 20 years experience working with teens, adults, and families during life's tough transitions. My approach is always client-centered and strength-based. My approach Through the client-centered approach, my clients lead the way. We work together to prioritize treatment goals and develop a plan to reach them. My focus Life can get tough, which can lead to overwhelming thoughts and emotions. I specialize in supporting individuals and families through school, work, and life transitions. My communication style My communication style is pretty casual and laid-back. My focus is on creating an open, non-judgmental space where my clients can feel comfortable sharing whatever they need to in that moment. My journey to therapy Growing up, I knew I wanted to be a teacher...middle school or high school. As I began to work on lesson plan after lesson plan in college, I quickly realized that it wasn't teaching that I was interested in, it was the work helping and supporting kids that I was drawn to. So I changed paths and earned a Bachelors degree in Sociology and then Masters of Social Work, both from the University of Southern California (USC- Go Trojans!) My experience includes schools, group homes, juvenile and adult detention centers, community mental health, and private practice. As my career grew, so did my interests. I am passionate about working with teens, adults, and families to help them through life's challenges and experience growth. My goals for you Goal setting is a collaboration. I work with clients to explore and assess strengths and challenges, then we prioritize areas of growth.