About Me
I’m an out and proud gay man and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in the Palm Springs, California area. I am happy to serve the Coachella Valley in person or via telehealth. Like many, I came to Palm Springs to have a taste of freedom, queer joy, opportunities, and positive experiences. I was born and raised in Utah and couldn’t be happier to be living in the desert. I am excited you are here and are exploring the idea of therapy.
We all need therapy, a little tune up from time to time to help process the experiences (good and bad) that life brings. You being here is an act of bravery and the first step to self-improvement, healing, and overcoming adversities. Look, life is tough, and you deserve someone safe to talk to, to process with, and to sort out how you feel or don’t feel about a specific need or desire. I practice affirmative therapy for our Queer community, sex positive mindset, and understand many queer struggles!
I strive to be an honest, open, loving, and accepting person in all I do. I believe we all deserve a safe space to process, exist, and to thrive. Sometimes the world sends negative messages to our queer community and our allies. I hope I can give you enough space, time, and therapy to remember all the greatness and resiliency you already possess. Let your own greatness, social connections, and self-love act as a counterweight to those negative messages.
“I strive to be an honest, open, loving, and accepting person in all I do. I believe we all deserve a safe space to process, exist, and to thrive.”
J. Lee Castillo, LCSW
My Approach & Philosophy
My Style
My approach is simple, I meet you where you are at (mentally), and we build from there. The first few sessions are rapport building/getting to know you and identifying your needs. I work with adults (18- 99 years old) and can/may use a blended approach of therapy. I most frequently utilize Strengths Based, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness modalities, again depending on your needs.
I studied at the University of Utah for both my undergraduate and Master’s Degree. I’ve practiced social work in various ways, through Child Protective Services, Mental Health Competency Assessments, therapy in a nonprofit clinic setting, and have been a practicing therapist since 2012. I spent most of the pandemic working in Utah Emergency Rooms until my move to California. I’m open to working with anyone who is looking to better understand themselves and unlock their potential (when you are ready).
Goal
My approach to goal setting with clients is all about YOU! We will work together to define what you want to accomplish in our time together. This often starts with the rapport building process, building trust between us, and getting comfortable with what it means to be in therapy. We will work together to identify your goals and track your progress.
Client Population
I love working with the Queer Community. My client population and specialty focus is on LGBTQAI+, Seniors, People with HIV+/AIDS, grief and loss, post religious trauma, and loneliness.
Since moving to the desert, I find loneliness and social connections are missing for many of our community members. So many of us move here and although we are part of a larger collective or tribe, some struggle to find and make connections to form their smaller tribe. I encourage you to be brave and keep looking – because they, we are out there.