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Background & Training

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👋 Hi, I’m Laura Castro, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist originally from Bogotá, Colombia. I moved to the U.S. when I was twelve and have been living in North Carolina ever since. 

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​☀️Being Colombian is core to who I am. It means warmth, resilience, and a deep sense of community. I grew up in a culture rich in music, tradition, and expressive emotion – where people find strength in relationships, take pride in their heritage, and always make space at the table. At the same time, being Colombian also means holding space for complexity: navigating cultural expectations, mental health stigma, and the internal tug between collectivism and individuality (read the full VoyageRaleigh article here).

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🎓I studied psychology at Elon University and earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 💙🐏Along the way, I trained at UNC Family Medicine and UNC Counseling and Psychological Services, and completed a post-graduate fellowship at NC State University’s Counseling Center.

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📚Over the past 8 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with college and graduate students navigating transitions and dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and identity development.

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🐾Since 2019, I’ve served as the Director of Counseling Services at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, where I support veterinary students, interns, and residents. I understand how the pressures of academic and clinical life can impact mental health - and I’m here to help folks find balance, healing, and resilience.

 

🧠⚡I’m certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a powerful therapy that helps people process trauma and distressing experiences, whether personal or work-related.

 

💬🛋️🌿If you're looking for a space where you can show up as you are and feel supported in doing the deep work, I’d love to connect.​