Hello I'm John David (JD) and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with 7+ years of professional work experience. I served in the Navy for 8+ years, yet I left the military feeling lost and needing help. I ultimately became a therapist because the counseling I received helped guide my efforts into the positive changes I desired.
My strong belief is that everyone deserves such an opportunity and despite where you may find yourself at this moment, by reaching out you've taken a heroic step forward. And as much as I wish we were in the clear we know we'll continue to face life's difficulties. But we should take comfort in the fantastical space between reality and fantasy as J.R.R. Tolkein states, “Darkness must pass; a new day will come, and when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer.” So we've arrived to your unfinished magical story and you possibly need a guide or a strong ally. How do we take these steps together you may ask? First we always must begin with trust. Of course this takes time and isn't easy for some; however, we'll build rapport through honest weekly dialogue sessions and written assignments which will be guided by the therapeutic goals we set together.
When we meet, I will be utilizing a number of modalities which means we don't have to commit to just one therapeutic approach. You are a dynamic individual that benefits from interventions that can be molded to meet your needs. For example, as a certified therapeutic game master I will help create unique scenarios & encounters within an imaginative and rich fantastical setting (called theater of the mind) where together we will step into the vast unknown. What does your character desire? What is holding them back? And despite their fears, what actions will they take today to get closer to the life they truly want? We will then discuss/journal how it was to step in/out of the game and reflect where your characters experiences could extend into your life.
We will also be drawing on your skills and proficiencies. Our aim is to find a speed that is comfortable while building your confidence gearing you up for future successes. As a guide I'm excited and humbled to be with you on your adventure towards total wellness and congratulate you for getting started!
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Attachment Issues, Body Image, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Control Issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dissociation, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / Loneliness, Life Purpose, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood Disorders, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic Stress, Self-Harm, Self-Love, Traumatic Brain Injury
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), 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
