Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Grand Junction, CO covered by Aetna

Hello and thank you for looking at my profile. My approach to providing therapy is to Keep. It. Simple.

I focus on the mind-body connection to help you understand why things feel the way they do, how our brain and body interpret certain feelings and experiences, and then what you can do to try to manage those feelings and make situations feel more comfortable and under control.

I specialize working with adolescents, but welcome all ages and genders. My main areas of clinical focus are in mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been helping people since 2005. I specialize in trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions, with a primary focus on EMDR. For clients who are interested, I also offer AcuWellness as a complementary option. My style is direct yet warm, using humor to help clients feel at ease.

I began this journey just seeking to learn about psychology and the nature of human behavior. The more I learned, the more I became fascinated with how resilient humans are in the face of significant challenges. However, what I found was that people will continue to live with underlying pain, because of the stigma previously put on people seeking help with mental health and trauma issues. I found that people created their own ways of coping and it often involved creating more harm. I knew at this time that I wanted to help people begin to face tough emotions and move toward healing the emotional pain.

I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology in 1991 and a Master of Science Degree in General Psychology in 1993 from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS. I later went back for another Master of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology from Avila University in Kansas City, MO in 2014.

I have worked in the areas of domestic violence, at-risk youth, at-risk families, foster and adoption, and addiction. I specialize in working with trauma and addiction.

My name is Kalena Castaneda (she/her) and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and am a Nationally Certified Counselor. I am also a Certified Personal Trainer. I am a full believer in taking care of the mind, body, and soul.

In order for us to feel the joys of life, we must do all three. Which is why I have tried to incorporate each aspect into my own practice. Something I had never seen, and something I've always wanted to do. I look forward to meeting new humans who truly want to find new ways to connect with and understand self.

After receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Colorado State University, I worked in the corporate world as a business consultant. While working as a consultant, I frequently observed how people’s hectic work schedules and day-to-day stressors could slowly wear them down emotionally, resulting in their happiness being compromised.

Seeing this trend in the business world, coupled with the passion I’ve always had for understanding people’s thinking and way of doing things, prompted me to pursue my Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from University of Colorado Denver. Now with my professional experience and educational background, I can more easily navigate how to handle the day-to-day stressors and help my clients manage the mental health piece of their lives.

I am always honored when I am able to join my client's on their journey of discovery for a while

If you're struggling and looking for extra support—whether you're navigating a major life transition, facing challenges in your mood or relationships, or working through past trauma—I’m here to help! I seek to help my clients manage a variety of issues unique to women and couples, including the emotional and psychological changes that accompany your fertility and parenting journey. I frequently work with concerns related to infertility, loss, pregnancy, the postpartum period and the menopause transition. I bring specialized training in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, parental support, and relationship issues. My goal as a therapist is to walk alongside you through life’s challenges, helping you grow into a healthier, more fulfilled version of yourself.

With more than 30 years of experience, I've helped individuals navigate anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and life's many transitions with compassion, understanding, and practical support.

I know reaching out for help isn't always easy. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel heard, supported, and empowered to move toward greater confidence, healing, and peace of mind.