Andrea Castillo-Perez

Hi, I’m Andrea Castillo-Perez. With over 25 years of experience in healthcare, I’m deeply committed to helping people work through anxiety, trauma, and life’s toughest moments. As a Registered Nurse and Registered Psychotherapist, I offer a unique perspective that blends medical expertise with compassionate mental health support.

I am here to offer a safe, non-judgmental space where you can express your emotions and start to heal. Whether you’re struggling with the weight of trauma, anxiety that feels overwhelming, or the stress of a difficult life transition, my goal is to provide you with the tools and strategies you need to regain balance and start moving forward.

I take a holistic approach to therapy, meaning I consider your emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being. To me, it’s not just about treating the symptoms—it’s about understanding the whole person. My approach combines evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), Mindfulness, the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Model (ITATM), and Somatic Experiencing and more to support you toward healing.

I support individuals in high-stress, emotionally demanding roles, including first responders—police officers, firefighters, paramedics, physicians, nurses, and ER personnel. Having worked on the frontlines as a Registered Nurse, I understand the unique challenges that come with these professions. With expertise in PTSI/PTSD and trauma, I provide compassionate, personalized care to help navigate the emotional toll of your work.

Beyond first responders, I also work with therapists, religious leaders, and congregants, helping them process vicarious trauma, religious trauma, and work-life balance challenges.

Alongside trauma work, I offer support for anxiety, panic, stress, and grief, helping individuals build practical coping skills and nurture self-esteem in a safe and supportive environment.

Having worked with many individuals in high-pressure, high-stress jobs, I understand how easily burnout, exhaustion, and emotional overwhelm can take their toll. I’m here to offer a safe, understanding space to process your emotions and guide you through your healing journey. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

If you’re ready to find new ways to cope, heal, and move toward emotional wellness, I would be honoured to walk that path with you.

I offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation by phone or online, where we can discuss your goals. To set up a consultation, please call or text 226-246-4669 or fill out our quick form.

Education

• Master of Arts (MA), Counselling Psychology — Yorkville University (2020)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc), Nursing — University of Victoria (2004)
• Nursing Diploma — Fanshawe College (1999)

Licences & Certifications

• Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) (2019)
• Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing — Canadian Nurses Association (2018)
• Registered Nurse (CNO) (1999)

Professional Training & Continuing Education

Andrea regularly completes advanced professional training and continuing education in trauma therapy, EMDR, attachment-focused care, and clinical supervision.

Critical Incident Stress Management Training (CISM Training) by the International Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation (ICISF)

• Group Crisis Intervention Approved Instructor Program (Nov 2025)
• Assisting Individuals In Crisis Approved Instructor Program (Aug 2025)
• Critical Incident Stress Management Certification of Knowledge Exam (Aug 2025)
• Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis (Feb 2025)
• Advanced Group Crisis Intervention (Feb 2025)
• The Secrets of Psychological Body Armor™ (Holistic Wellness for Emergency Services & Healthcare Professions) (Feb 2025)
• Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention (Aug 2024)

Trauma Therapy, EMDR & Dissociation

• EMDR Certified Therapist (Nov 2022)
• Utilization of EMDR Therapy with Grief and Mourning — Roger Solomon, PhD (EMDR Institute Inc.) (Sep 2022)
• R-TEP / G-TEP Training (Feb 2022)
• Easy Ego State Interventions — Robin Shapiro (EMDRIA Credits) (Oct 2021)
• Healing the Fragmented Self After Trauma — Janina Fisher (Academy of Therapy Wisdom) (Feb 2021)
• Dissociation and the Body — Pat Ogden (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute) (Jan 2021)
• EMDRIA Approved EMDR Basic Training (Aug 2020)
• Treating Complex Trauma with EMDR & Structural Dissociation Theory (Modules 1–3) (Jan 2020)

Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) & Attachment Work

• Deepening into DBR Intensive — Frank Corrigan, Centre for Trauma and Stress (Sep 2023)
• Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) Basic Training & Advanced Attachment Workshop (Jan 2022)
• Integrative Trauma and Attachment Model (ITATM)® (Nov 2021)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) 

• Level 2 Intensive Training Program (920): Shame, Anxiety & Depression — IFS Approach (Sep 2023)
• Level 1 Training Program (641) — Internal Family Systems Therapy (Aug 2021)
• IFS Experiential Workshop (Feb 2020)

Somatic Experiencing & Polyvagal Theory

• Polyvagal Theory and the Neuroscience of Connection: How a Polyvagal Perspective Can Enhance the Treatment of Trauma and Anxiety (Jan, 2026)
• Polyvagal Learning Labs Series 2 (Jul 2024)
• Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies — Level II (Mar 2021)
• Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies — Level III (Mar 2021)
• Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies — Level I (Feb 2021)

Clinical Supervision & Ethical Practice

• Best Practices in Clinical Supervision: A Blueprint for Providing Effective and Ethical Clinical Supervision (Jan 2025)
• Online Clinical Supervision: Best Practices for Every Clinician (Dec 2024)
• Clinical Supervision: Providing Effective Supervision, Navigating Ethical Issues and Managing Risk (Jan 2021)

Additional Healthcare Leadership Training

• P.I.E.C.E.S Learning & Development Education Program — Province of Ontario (Oct 2018)
• Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA)® in Dementia Care (Nov 2015)
• Long-Term Care Administrator — Canadian Healthcare Association (Oct 2014)

• Discovering Personality – The Big Five Aspect Scale, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Understanding Myself (Apr 2023)