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    KNOWLEDGE. ACCEPTANCE. CHOICE.

     
     
     
     

  • WELCOME

     

    Welcome to Castro Psychological Services. I am happy you've chosen to take this first step in your recovery!

     

    Many people initiate treatment with the hope of change, without putting enough emphasis on choice. Rather than focusing on change, my goal is to provide a space for you to understand and accept yourself, leading you to make healthy life choices. The process of therapy can be simultaneously rewarding, exhausting, exhilarating, frightening, and uplifting. I offer a nurturing and supportive environment to take the risks which will eventually lead to self-understanding and acceptance. Ultimately, the choice of how you want to view yourself and the type of life you want to lead is yours. I hope you will allow me the privilege in helping you on that journey.

  • APPROACH

    I believe each person truly is the captain of his/her fate and the master of his/her soul. My role is that of "hardy co-explorer." I will help you determine where you are in life, where you want to go, and how best to get there, without judgment. Positive outcomes in psychotherapy are most often a result of equifinality: all roads will eventually lead to Rome. The issue is not which road to take, but figuring out which road you as the client are willing to take to get you to your destination.

     

    My personalized approach uses a variety of tools which may include: Cognitive Behavioral; Existential; Interpersonal; Motivational Interviewing; and Psychodynamic case conceptualizations and interventions. All sessions are conducted in person or via telepsychology.

  • TELEPSYCHOLOGY

    Telepsychology is a rapidly emerging branch of psychotherapy which uses video teleconferencing in place of in-person meetings to conduct therapy. Although primarily used to reach consumers in more rural and hard to reach areas, many clients and providers are expanding the use of the practice in place of “traditional” face-to-face therapy. I offer clients the option of using this treatment if they are unable to attend face-to-face sessions. Some of the inherent benefits of telepsychology include:

    • Increased access to therapy for individuals with physical, medical and/or mobility disabilities.
    • Increased access to disability specialists regardless of geographic area.
    • Increased access to services in areas with few mental health resources.
    • Increased access to psychologists with disability training and experience.
    • Increased access to therapy for individuals who may have difficulty attending therapy on-site (e.g., those with post-traumatic stress disorder or agoraphobia).
    • More time to collect information about thoughts, feelings and behaviors outside of the sessions.
    • Flexible scheduling.

    I make every effort to secure your information through the use of VSee, a HIPAA compliant, secure encrypted video provider.

    State psychological boards have published guidelines to consumers and practitioners to guide the field of telepsychology as well mandate health insurers not discriminate between face-to-face or telepsychological mental health services. For NY State guidelines click here.

  • BIO

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    Frank Castro, PhD

    Founder

    Dr. Castro is a licensed clinical psychologist in California (PSY25668) and New York (018989) with a strong commitment to providing high quality mental health services, especially to underserved and potentially disenfranchised populations, many of whom are ethnic minorities and/or identify as LGBTQ. He received his masters and doctoral degrees from Temple University where his research and clinical training focused on the assessment and treatment of PTSD and associated problems (e.g. anxiety, depression, personality disorders and substance abuse) and emotion regulation more broadly. He is trained in the use of a variety of empirically-supported cognitive-behavioral treatments including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Seeking Safety (SS). In addition to these interventions, he is also adept at providing couples counseling and life coaching as well as treating more existential/identity concerns that are not as easily defined by a particular label. He works primarily with adults.

     

    Dr. Castro completed his clinical internship and NIMH T-32 postdoctoral fellowship at the National Center for PTSD at the VA Boston Healthcare System, where his research focused on examining clinician and client variables influencing treatment implementation and sustainability as well as examining the role of social support in the development of PTSD. He received his bachelor's degree in Theater from Brown University.

  • POLICIES

    I am an out of network provider for insurance plans. For clients who wish to use their insurance I bill insurance plans directly and ask that clients only cover their initial deductible and coinsurance.

     

    Fulfillment of payment is carried out by Stripe which accepts all major credit and debit cards. In addition, you may use your HSA/FSA card to pay for services.

     

    Insured No Surprise Act (NSA) Notice (CA)

    Insured No Surprise Act (NSA) Notice (NY)

     

    Uninsured and Self Pay No Surprise Act (NSA) Notice (CA)

    Uninsured and Self Pay No Surprise Act (NSA) Notice (NY)

     

  • CONNECT

    Appointments are typically available from Monday through Thursday 10am to 7pm (EST). To book an initial consultation please call the office directly at (917) 740-5492.

  • Don't be afraid to reach out. You + us = awesome.