More About Carlos Casillas

I am a calm, curious, non-judgemental individual who enjoys listening to others. Additionally, I like to believe I have a good sense of humor. Most of my previous experience comes from working with children, adolescents, families, and young adults. With that said, I love to meet people of all different ages and backgrounds.

I have experience working in the Criminal Justice System, the non-for-profit world assisting at-risk adolescents and young adults, Child and Family Services, and the school system. Currently, I work full-time in a middle school supporting the well-being of children and adolescents.

While I believe combining treatment methods provides the best results, my preferred approaches include Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy. This is because I believe the society we live in, our friends and family, our actions, and our inner thoughts and emotions all play a role in our wellbeing.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS:

What was a defining moment in your life?

A defining moment for me was emigrating to Canada as a teenager. I experienced the process of adapting to a new culture, learning a new language, and missing my friends a family. While this was a difficult process, I believe it made me a much more empathetic and resilient individual because it challenged my worldview in a significant way.

What do you think the world needs more of?

I believe the world needs us all to have a more balanced perspective. In other words, I believe empathy and curiosity about others’ perspectives, even toward the ones we disagree with, are important to see each other’s humanity and reduce segregation.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Psychology Major/Sociology Minor)

Master in Counselling Psychology (In Progress)

Certifications

Advanced Motivational Interviewing

Mental Health First Aid

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Peacemaking Circles

Connect Parent

ASIST Suicide Prevention

Traumatic Event Systems Training

Violent Threat Risk Assessment (I & II)

EMDR Training

Languages

• English
• Spanish

I specialize in:

Anxiety & Depression

• Depression
• Self-Harming
• Suicidal Thoughts

Couples

• Cross Cultural Issues

Developmental Disorders

• Learning Disorders

Grief & Loss Care

• Loss of Employment
• Loss of a Loved One

Mental Health Disorders

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults

Other Areas

• Cross Cultural Issues

Thrive (Child & Youth)

• Adolescent & Teen Issues
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children
• Behavioural Issues
• Blended Family Adjustment
• Child & Youth Anxiety
• Issues Related to Bullying
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Trauma Care

• Trauma

I have experience in:

• Abuse
• Adoption Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Anxiety Disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Becoming a Parent or the Addition of Children
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Child & Youth Depression
• Child & Youth Self Esteem Issues
• Child & Youth Stress and Trauma
• Childhood Development Issues
• Children's Mental Health
• Coming Out
• Conduct Disorder
• Cross Cultural Issues
• Custody Access Issues
• Difficult People
• Divorce or Separation
• Emotional Abuse
• Emotional Regulation
• Family Issues
• Family Violence
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• Gender Identity
• Grief and Loss
• Insomnia
• Intercultural and Interracial Relationships
• LGBTQ2S+ Issues
• Life Transitions
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
• Parenting Issues & Support
• Physical Abuse
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Self-Esteem Issues
• Seniors and the Elderly Issues
• Sexual Assault and Abuse
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Sports Performance
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Tourette Syndrome
• Trauma
• Weight Management

My treatment approaches:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Family Systems Therapy
• Solution Focused Therapy