Kara Castillo, CMHC Intern

She/Her

Kara Castillo, CMHC Intern at OptimalLife Wellness Center in Bellevue.

“I believe therapy should feel real and approachable—where honesty, authenticity, and even laughter can be part of the healing process.“

—Kara Castillo, CMHC Intern

Kara’s Areas of Focus

Kara offers both in-person and virtual therapy in Washington.

  • Trauma 
  • Anxiety
  • Depression 
  • Self-Esteem
  • Perfectionism
  • Life Transitions
  • Grief and Loss 
  • Attachment Concerns
  • Relationship Dynamics 
  • Personal Growth 
  • Stress Management

About Kara

Kara Castillo is a Counseling Intern at Antioch University Seattle, where she is pursuing her degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. With a deep belief that everyone deserves access to compassionate, down-to-earth support, Kara is passionate about creating a welcoming space where clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and encouraged to reconnect with their strengths.

Her counseling style is warm, collaborative, and approachable. She believes therapy should feel natural and real, and she values bringing authenticity into the room — including moments of laughter. She works from a person-centered, Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed, and strengths-based perspective, always honoring the unique life experiences each client brings.

Kara’s clinical focus includes working with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem challenges, perfectionism, life transitions, grief and loss, attachment concerns, relationship dynamics, and personal growth. She is attentive to the impact of cultural, systemic, and societal factors on mental health and strives to offer care that is affirming, inclusive, and grounded in empathy.

Before pursuing counseling, Kara gained experience in a variety of roles that shaped her relational and real-world approach. She spent several years mentoring youth, offering steady guidance and support. She also supported children coping with grief, volunteered in animal care, and held leadership positions in hospitality, event coordination, and organizational operations. These experiences strengthened her ability to hold space for people through a wide range of circumstances and continue to influence her therapeutic style today.

Outside of counseling, Kara feels most grounded when she is near the ocean. She has a lifelong love of animals, especially dogs, and hopes to incorporate a therapy dog into her practice in the future. She also enjoys indoor cycling, exploring new places, and finding small moments of joy and connection in everyday life.

Training & Education

Kara earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Seattle University and is currently completing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University Seattle. She has also earned a Certificate in Trauma Counseling from Antioch University and completed LGBTGEQIAP+ Affirming Counseling Training through the William & Mary Counselor Education Program. She is completing her clinical training under the supervision of Lara Symonds, LMFT, DCEP, at OptimalLife Wellness Center.