Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Parkville, MD

I am trained as a Professional Counselor. During my academic training, in addition to my degree, I am EMDR trained. After my academic training, I started working at MeadowWood Behavioral hospital, an acute psychiatric unit. I worked with adolescents, substance abuse, and adult clients. I have worked with the Kent county health department implementing substance abuse prevention programs in middle and high schools. I believe in the old proverb "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Since 2016 I have been working with the Community Behavioral health providing services in an outpatient setting.

I have been supporting the emotional and mental health of adolescents and young adults for a decade as a social worker. I specialize in family intervention and working with separated and divorced parents. I love working with parents who want to improve their relationships with their children and also work well with teens and young adults on enhancing self-esteem and finding balance in life.

Whether you are struggling with the far-reaching impact of past trauma, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other ongoing health issue or simply wanting to invest in a bit of self-exploration and growth, I am so glad that you have begun your search for the best facilitator in that journey. I believe in meeting people where they are and allowing you to set your own pace for healing. I look forward to assisting on your healing journey in any way that I can.

Katherine Castelo, LCSW is a licensed therapist and certified clinical supervisor in Virginia, Texas, Florida, West Virginia, Indiana, Maryland, and Colorado. With over 25 years of experience, she specializes in trauma, military and veteran mental health, first-responder wellness, grief, deployment-related stress, and major life transitions.

A former Marine Corps veteran spouse, Katherine brings lived experience and deep cultural understanding to her work. She has served across the DoD, VA, nonprofit, and civilian sectors, providing high-level clinical care, consultation, and program leadership.

She previously oversaw a Defense Health Agency program for transitioning service members and served as the U.S. Army Reserve Psychological Health Program Director, leading outreach for more than 200,000 soldiers and families and advising on post-suicide psychological autopsies as part of the USAR Fatality Review Board.

Katherine also worked as a civilian Employee Assistance Program (EAP) manager for the U.S. Navy and as a casualty assistance consultant for NCIS, developing programs focused on readiness, crisis response, and deployment-cycle support.

As founder of Awaken Wellness Center, her practice centers on trauma recovery, crisis intervention, and integrative therapies. She is trained in Brainspotting, IFS-informed work, and trauma-responsive care, and has provided trainings for service members, clinicians, and community providers on PTSD, MST, suicide prevention, and Brainspotting.

Today, Katherine consults with the SAFE Project’s SAFE Veterans initiative and teaches caregiver wellness classes with Semper Fi & America’s Fund, bringing compassionate, evidence-based, culturally grounded care to military members, veterans, first responders, caregivers, and their families.

Introduction

I have a passion for helping individuals and couples navigate their mental health journeys. I offer virtual therapy sessions, making it convenient for you to receive support from the comfort of your own space. Fluent in both English and Swahili.

With over a decade of experience in the healthcare field, I bring a strong foundation of clinical expertise and compassionate care. For eight years, I worked as a Med-Surg nurse, travel nurse, and cardiac nurse, gaining diverse experience across high-acuity settings and patient populations. The variety of roles allowed me to develop adaptability, resilience, and a deep understanding of both acute and chronic health conditions. It also allowed me to see the role mental health plays and the importance it holds.

For the past two years, I have been practicing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), where I’ve focused on providing holistic, patient-centered care that addresses both mental and physical health.

This blend of medical-surgical and psychiatric experience equips me with a comprehensive perspective on patient care, allowing me to treat the whole person—not just the diagnosis.

As board certified Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be one of the hardest parts, so congratulations on taking the first step. I have been practicing for 2 years focusing on adults age 18-100 who are struggling with Anxiety and depression.

I have been practicing as a licensed therapist for 10 years and specialize in helping people reclaim their lives by healing from the pain of trauma, anxiety, and depression. I am trained as a clinical mental health counselor with additional specializations in play therapy and trauma focused work. I work with all populations from preteen into adulthood.