Hey! I'm JD, a dedicated and compassionate therapist committed to helping you navigate life's challenges and achieve personal growth. With almost 10 years of experience in the field of mental health, I have honed my skills and developed a deep understanding of various therapeutic approaches to support my clients effectively. It begins and ends with trust and throughout our time together we'll be building towards that relationship thereby maximizing our time together.
Throughout my career, first in the military, I've had the privilege of working with diverse populations, including individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and more. Now whether it's in private practice, community organizations, or clinical settings, I've encountered a wide range of mental health concerns, each presenting unique opportunities for growth and healing.
I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Southern California (USC), specializing in Jungian psychology. Additionally, I am certified in both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and the Gottman Method through the Gottman Love Institute. My academic journey at USC and beyond provided me with a comprehensive understanding of social work principles, psychoanalytic theories, and behavioral modification techniques. This specialized training has equipped me with a diverse toolkit to address the complex psychosocial needs of individuals across diverse populations.
My therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic Therapy, EMDR, and the Gottman. I believe in tailoring my approach to meet the individual needs and preferences of each client, recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to mental health challenges.
Central to my practice is the cultivation of a safe and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment where clients feel empowered to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly. I strive to foster a collaborative relationship built on trust, empathy, and mutual respect, guiding clients on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
I am passionate about helping clients tap into their innate resilience and strengths, empowering them to overcome obstacles and lead more fulfilling lives. By providing guidance, support, and evidence-based interventions, I aim to assist clients in developing coping strategies, improving self-awareness, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and fostering a greater sense of well-being.
Whether you're struggling with overwhelming emotions, navigating life transitions, or seeking personal development, I am here to accompany you on your therapeutic journey. Together, we can work towards overcoming challenges, unlocking your full potential, and creating positive change that lasts.
Additional areas of focus: Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Attachment issues, BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Mood disorders, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality disorders, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-harm, Self-love, Sex addiction, Sexuality, Traumatic brain injury, Women's issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gottman Method, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
CA LCSW 108429
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for John David Del Castillo. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Working with John has been instrumental in my well-being and personal growth. I can honestly say that he has changed my life, helping me to clear neurotic patterns I was stuck in, and deal with PTSD in a much healthier way. While I still continue to benefit from Therapy, my journey so far has been purely positive, engaging, and beneficial.
Written on Mar 01, 2023 after therapy with John David for 5 months on issues concerning depression, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
John David Del Castillo provides a safe space for me to be angry, and also has shown me ways to resolve that anger. This is priceless.
Written on Dec 27, 2022 after therapy with John David for 3 months on issues concerning relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related issues
John David is an excellent therapist. He brings full attention to our sessions, and knows what I need, and how to direct the session. He sends encouraging messages throughout the week. He has a lot of training and modalities to help me address my issues. I strongly recommend him.
Written on Nov 21, 2022 after therapy with John David for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching
I’ve had a wild ride of finding a therapist and thought of quitting until I was assigned to John. He listens and hears me and remembers everything we talk about from week to week. He’s kind and supportive, no matter what we’re discussing. He utilizes worksheets and pushes me to journal entry, using all the modalities available to us. I’m excited to be able to keep working with him!
Written on Nov 10, 2022 after therapy with John David for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes
I've only had a few sessions with John, but I immediately resonated with his compassionate and matter of fact approach. He has offered an excellent balance of promoting the deep-dive traditional investigations into early hurts and experiences as well as very practical objective methods of evaluating and progressing goals. I am looking forward to each session and seeing how this develops.
Written on Oct 06, 2022 after therapy with John David for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, and career difficulties
John truly cares about his clients and devotes all of his attention to them when therapy is in session. I’ve always felt listened too and heard when I talked about the things that troubled me. And after finishing my sessions with John I always feel better and more in control of my life.
Written on Oct 04, 2022 after therapy with John David for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd