ABOUT
Sam del Castillo, Ph.D.
Pronouns: they/them/elle
Dr. Sam del Castillo is a queer and trans Mexican immigrant, and licensed psychologist (CA license #PSY3496). Dr. del Castillo has specialized training on working with LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC/immigrant communities, and have conducted research and taught providers best practices for working with these communities. Dr. del Castillo has extensive experience developing and expanding institutional support for marginalized people.
MY STORY
Teaching and Trainings
They have served in numerous leadership and service roles in organizations, including National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA)’s Orgullo and Gaylesta. While at UCSB, Dr. del Castillo co-founded the Queer and Trans Graduate Student Union at UCSB, (an organization that still exists today). They were successful in advocating to the university for funding for community-building programming, mentorship programs, and an inaugural conference on LGBTQIA+ wellbeing. Dr. del Castillo created the Decolonizing Psychology Learning Group, a space for psychologists-in-training to interrogate beliefs about psychology and learn anti-colonial methods of healing.
Dr. del Castillo has facilitated workshops on topics such as impostor syndrome, queer and trans identities, disability justice, strengthening institutional support for mental health, and transforming institutions and building institutional equity.
They have taught undergraduate courses on topics such as Psychology of Gender, Feminist Studies - Women and Cultural Production, and introductory psychology courses. They have supervised doctoral students at the practicum and internship levels. Dr. del Castillo is passionate about teaching and mentorship.
Dr. del Castillo is available to develop and lead workshops, teach courses, and provide consultation.
Dr. del Castillo is bilingual in English and Spanish
Stanford University - Counseling and Psychological Services | Postdoctoral Fellow
Gender and Sexual Identities Specialization
University of California, Santa Barbara - Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology | Ph.D. (APA Accredited)
APA Accredited Doctoral Internship: California State University, Long Beach | Counseling and Psychological Services
EDUCATION
Service and Memberships
Bay Area Psychological Association - Board Member, DEI Co-Chair
Gaylesta - Advocacy Committee Member
California Psychological Association - Member
American Psychological Association - Div. 44 and 45, Full Member
LGBTQIA+, Sexuality and Gender, Gender Diversity, Transgender, Nonbinary, Bisexual, Questioning
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Immigrants, children of immigrants
Parents, Parents of LGBTQIA+ children, Transgender Parents
Young adults, Adults
College and Graduate students
Academics
Masculinity
Relationships, including family of origin
Difficulties with embodiment - eating disorders, in recovery, body image issues - using a health at every size, harm reduction framework
Neurodivergence/neurodiversity
Disability justice
Anxiety and Panic Disorder
Depression
OCD
Life transitions
Grief
Trauma - including complex PTSD
SPECIALTIES AND EXPERTISE
Values and Approach
Collaboration | Trust | Curiosity
Self-determination | Autonomy | Safety
Openness without judgment | Transparency
Culturally-attuned | Trauma-responsive
Belief that change is always possible
Research has consistently shown that one of the most important and healing aspects of therapy is the therapeutic relationship (client-therapist relationship). It is crucial to me that you feel understood, seen, supported, and trust in our work together. I utilize a collaborative approach in which I bring in my expertise and experience, while you get to decide whether something works for you or not.
It is important to me to understand all of who you are, including your cultural context, gender, and other parts of you. I am direct, yet thoughtful and warm. I have a sense of humor and I bring it in when possible. I am naturally a very open minded and curious person who likes to explore and dig deeper into the core, to truly understand. I believe that, through understanding and awareness of our patterns and relationships, we can then exercise greater choice in our lives. My goal is that through our work together, you will feel a greater sense of connection to yourself and others, and have greater choice in all aspects of your life.
I draw from contemporary psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, liberation, and somatic approaches. I have training and experience with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and draw from these approaches as needed.
Good Faith Estimate
Good Faith Estimate: You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.
NOTICE TO CONSUMERS:
The Department of Consumer Affairs’ Board of Psychology receives and responds to questions and complaints regarding the practice of psychology. If you have questions or complaints you may contact the Board on the Internet at www.psychology.ca.gov, by email at bopmail@dca.ca.gov, calling 1-866-503-3221 or writing to the following address: Board of Psychology 1625 North Market Blvd, Suite N-215 Sacramento, CA 95834