Shauna Castro-McDaniel (she/her/hers)

I've always resonated with the Association of Black Psychologists as it, "sees its mission and destiny as the liberation of the African Mind, empowerment of the African Character, and enlivenment and illumination of the African Spirit." My graduate studies emphasized, "spiritual transformative African Centered psychology" and as a therapist I recognize that everyone exists within a culture that can be sources of strength or disempowerment if one is made to feel othered.

I came to specialize in trauma and resilience through my work in community mental health. As an MFT Intern I noticed that the problems people were experiencing in the present had historic origins, some intergenerational and some from childhood or past experiences that weren't addressed. I studied evidenced based approaches and found EMDR to be a powerful healer especially when used with ego state theory, somatic approaches and creativity. I have interest in healing intergenerational trauma.

I have been certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) through EMDR International Association. I have since taken various trainings relevant to specific experiences such as early childhood trauma. Often times people experience PTSD like symptoms and don't remember a trauma. The early childhood trauma protocol incorporates ego state therapy (parts work) and somatic approaches. I also use attachment based EMDR and Flash Technique when people feel very activated to start.

I have been certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) through EMDR International Association. I have since taken various trainings relevant to specific experiences such as early childhood trauma. Often times people experience PTSD like symptoms and don't remember a trauma. The early childhood trauma protocol incorporates ego state therapy (parts work) and somatic approaches. I also use attachment based EMDR and Flash Technique with standard EMDR. https://www.emdria.org

I have been certified in Brainspotting, an approach that many feel is gentle and some experience to be like a mindfulness based CBT. With Brainspotting, I also integrate ego state therapy (parts work) and somatic approaches. Cultural responsiveness is essential in my work and Somatic Archiology (related to Brainspotting) is especially helpful with recovering from intergenerational trauma. https://brainspotting.com/about-bsp/what-is-brainspotting/ https://rubygibson.com/somatic-archaeolo

I am a certified InterPlay Leader. I came to InterPlay for professional development hearing that it was a playful way to address trauma. While InterPlay isn't intended to be therapy and is usually practiced in a group, in my experience it's been extremely therapeutic when I've used it with families, couples and individuals. https://interplay.org

I have been certified in Brainspotting, an approach that many feel is gentle and some experience to be like a mindfulness based CBT. With Brainspotting, I also integrate ego state therapy (parts work) and somatic approaches. Cultural responsiveness is essential in my work and Somatic Archaeolog (related to Brainspotting) is especially helpful with recovering from intergenerational trauma. https://brainspotting.com/about-bsp/what-is-brainspotting/ https://rubygibson.com/somatic-archaeolo