Vanessa Castañeda: MS, LPC Associate

Vanessa believes that everyone’s story is different and that counseling should meet people where they are. As a bilingual counselor, she welcomes the opportunity to support clients in English or Spanish, helping them feel comfortable expressing themselves in their preferred language.

She understands that finding the right therapist is important and strives to create a warm, welcoming space where clients feel heard, understood, and accepted. She believes therapy does not have to feel intimidating and that building trust and a genuine therapeutic relationship is an important part of the healing process.

Vanessa’s approach is compassionate, relational, and collaborative. She works alongside children, adolescents, adults, and families to help them better understand their experiences. She has a special interest in ADHD, child development, family relationships, trauma, and life transitions. Her goal is to help clients feel supported as they work toward personal growth and meaningful change.

Vanessa also welcomes the opportunity to incorporate faith into counseling when it is important to the client. She respects each person’s individual beliefs and values and recognizes that faith can be a meaningful source of hope, strength, and healing when clients choose to include it in their therapeutic journey.

Vanessa graduated from the University of North Texas in 2011 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Family Development. Before becoming a counselor, she spent 15 years in education, serving as a teacher, an ESL and Early Childhood Specialist, and a Family Navigator. She later earned her master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of the Cumberlands. Her background in education continues to shape her approach to counseling. She values getting to know each client as an individual, understanding their experiences, and working together to find approaches that align with their needs and goals.

Outside of counseling, one of her greatest joys is being a mom. She values the everyday moments spent with her family and believes in the importance of caring for the mind, body, and spirit. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, and crafting. 

Services Offered

• Individual Adult Therapy
• Play Therapy (ages 3-12)
• Sand Tray Therapy
• Adolescent Therapy
• Adult Therapy
• Bilingual Therapy (English/Spanish)
• Life Transitions