As lawyer turned psychotherapist I get it because I’ve been there. You are a high achieving successful professional, but you are still not fulfilled. There is something, maybe you are not quite sure what – career, relationships, self-image – that feels off balance. You are not a quitter, but something needs to change. You want to enjoy your life, but you don’t think it should mean giving up life as you know it (i.e. you aren’t going to quit your job to run off to the country to become a chicken farmer – no offense to chicken farmers; that’s just not you.)
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About
I've been there too
When a Lawyer becomes a Psychotherapist
Your career matters to you, but so does your well-being. You know you want to feel differently, but you don’t know where to start.
Not everyone gets what this is like – the success on the outside and the anxiety, doubt, and exhaustion on the inside. I get it because I have been there and I have tailored my clinical training and created Castro Jacobs Psychotherapy & Consulting with you in mind. We apply science-backed methods to get you to “better.” You don’t have to accept the status quo. You deserve “better.”
You feel exhausted, worried, angry, trapped, and frustrated. The demands of bosses and clients who you can’t say no to; family responsibilities, the expectations you put on yourself/the need to be perfect; feeling like you will never be good enough; thinking you have to tough things out on your own; the fear of failure. You have unique challenges that we understand. As an attorney turned psychotherapist, my work with lawyers, executives, and high achievers from a variety of industries has given me unique insight into the types of challenges that we as high achievers face, and into the solutions that help us overcome them. You can break past this and we are here to help.
You don’t have to accept the status quo. Click here to schedule your complimentary 10 minute phone consultation.
Credentials
Founder, Chelsy Castro
In a nutshell, I am an attorney turned psychotherapist, and a recovering chronic high achiever on a mission to help other high achievers reach their goals in a healthy way.
Most recently, as the Director of Outreach & Clinical Programming for the Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP), I designed, developed, and managed clinical and outreach programs and provided psychotherapy for lawyers, judges, and law students. During my tenure at LAP I trained thousands of lawyers, judges, and law students in evidence-based stress management techniques in forums such as the American Bar Association, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and various law schools, law firms, professional associations, and both domestic and international conferences.
Prior to LAP, I worked as a project manager in the field of international development and later practiced law as a multilingual attorney for “Big Law” in the field of international regulatory compliance.
I simultaneously earned my Juris Doctor and a Masters in International Development from American University. I later earned a Master in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago with an additional Certificate in Health Administration and Policy, specializing in evidence-based treatments with a focus on cognitive behavioral therapy.
I specialize in working with lawyers and other high achievers, helping them overcome the things that challenge them most. Common high achiever struggles include:
The Real Me
Beyond the Resume
Hi, I’m Chelsy and I am a recovering chronic high achiever. I did the sacrifice-it-all for the grades, for the degree, for the job, for the promotion, for the salary, for the [insert point of external validation here] until I realized that it was not and would not make me happy. I was able to achieve whatever I set my mind to except for what I wanted most, happiness and satisfaction. I made change after change in my pursuit but did not see results until I realized that I needed to change the one thing that I had ignored. The thing which I had the most control over, my mindset. Seeing my colleagues and friends continue to suffer in their careers and personal lives inspired me to help other professionals also make the mindset shift.
As a psychotherapist, I work with you to apply science-backed techniques to help you shift your mindset. I am not the sage atop a mountain waiting for you to achieve your transformation. I am the guide walking alongside you, equipping you with the tools and guidance you need for your journey. I walk the walk with you.
I am not the typical therapist you’ve seen in TV and movies scribbling in my notepad and nodding while sprinkling in the occasional reply. Our work together is conversational. It is a collaboration. I develop a clinical treatment plan based on the results of your assessment, but I always focus our work together on where you are at the moment. I start each session asking you about your current mood and inquire about what you want to make sure we focus on during our time together. I have my clinical treatment goals and plan guiding our overarching work together, but I also know that life happens between sessions and that what I identify as treatment goals should not be yet another thing you need to achieve at the sacrifice of your own needs. The focus is on what YOU need and I consider it a honor and a privilege to be trusted with your journey.
As Seen In
Interviews, Presentations, & Contributions
You don’t have to accept the status quo. Click here to schedule your complimentary 10 minute phone consultation.