Book a therapist or psychiatrist in McLean, VA covered by Aetna

I'm a clinical psychologist residing in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, where I came to start my education in 1998 at Virginia Tech, and where I stayed to complete my graduate training at nearby Radford University. Since then, I've worked in community mental health, college counseling, and private practice, with a brief stint in neuropsychology along the way. I've also been an assistant professor at Radford and at Roanoke College. I think of myself as a generalist (meaning I like to work with a broad range of clients and issues), but have had the most experience with mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, substance use disorders, and LGBTQ+ issues. When not practicing, I devote my time to family, dogs, video games, tabletop RPGs, cooking, and badly writing electronic music.

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.

I am a Master's level independent clinical social worker and have been practicing as a therapist for 8 years. I am certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and work well with individuals who have experienced complex or childhood trauma. I also work with clients who struggle with ADHD, burnout, anxiety or depression. I became a therapist to help others live up to their full potential and get out of autopilot to find genuine contentment in their lives.

When life gives you lemons...

My education gave me the tools to be a skilled clinician. But it was my own trauma that gave me the insight and depth I bring to this work. I know what it feels like to live in a body that doesn’t feel safe—to question everything, including yourself. I spent over a decade learning how to heal, reclaim my voice, and become the kind of guide I once needed.

In the midst of that long journey, I had a quiet moment of clarity: what I was going through wasn’t just about survival—it was about becoming someone who could walk with others through the dark. That experience grounds my work in both knowledge and deep compassion.

Learning to love the desert

I’ve come to believe that being lost isn’t a problem—it’s part of the path. Like La Loba, the mythical bone-gatherer who wanders the desert collecting what’s been buried and brings it back to life, I help others gather what they’ve lost along the way. That process is sacred, slow, and often surprising—but it’s how we come home to ourselves.

There are parts of you that haven’t died; they’ve just been waiting. And sometimes, when it all falls apart, that’s when the wild, wise parts of you rise again.

Are you ready for your journey? My goal as a therapist is to help you feel better and hopeful about your future. We all deserve a journey with happiness and personal success!!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has been in the helping profession for over 20 years. My journey as a therapist has been both personally and professionally rewarding. Much of my experience has been working with individuals from diverse populations who struggle with depression, grief, loss, anxiety and chronic illnesses. I have extensive experience working with adults and seniors citizens. My focus is making sure my clients are getting the best from me.

My treatment approach is rather laid back but is set on the foundation of developing a meaningful therapeutic relationship with my clients. Additionally, I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy, person centered therapy, solution focused therapeutic approaches to help you overcome some of the life's difficult challenges. I want you to feel like the person you were meant to be.

There is more to life than suffering in silence. You deserve happiness and personal success. It's time for you to feel whole again. I'm committed to aiding people navigate through difficult periods in their lives. Your mental wellness begins now. Reach out and find out for yourself.

I am Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) trained in medication management and individual therapy. I approach my work caring about the whole person and not simply treating diagnoses. I am aided by knowledge gained from my education: Bachelor's of Science in Sociology, Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, and Master's of Science in Nursing. I also draw from my 11 year career as a registered nurse in intensive care units and my 3 years as a Nurse Practitioner, working at an outpatient clinic as well as an inpatient crisis unit.