Judea Castillo Winter , LCSW, LISW

Judea Castillo Winter is a licensed social worker who blends a humanistic, strength-based perspective with practical clinical skills to support people through difficult life chapters. She holds a BA in psychology and a Master’s in Social Work, and maintains LCSW and LISW credentials - LCSW refers to Licensed Clinical Social Worker and LISW refers to Licensed Independent Social Worker. Her training and career experience have included work with older adults and their families, people with dual diagnoses and substance use disorders, LGBTQ individuals, forensic populations, survivors of domestic violence, veterans, and those coping with depression, anxiety, trauma, poverty, and related concerns.

Judea approaches therapy with a respectful, collaborative stance that assumes clients are the experts on their own lives. She can act as a guide, coach, or collaborative partner to help bring clarity to painful or confusing problems and to identify strengths that support change. Beginning therapy can feel challenging as difficult issues become more real, and she aims to create a nonjudgmental virtual space that fosters safety and growth. Judea is licensed to practice across multiple states and asks clients to attend sessions while physically located within her licensed jurisdictions. Her goal is to help clients feel better and to envision a brighter future, honoring each person’s resilience and capacity for change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Judea uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, person-focused process that emphasizes each client’s own strengths and values. This approach involves listening carefully and helping people uncover their own solutions, which can be useful for life transitions, self-esteem, relationship concerns, and questions about identity.

She also integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a practical method that helps people identify and shift unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. CBT can be effective for anxiety, depression, stress, and many everyday coping challenges. In addition, she draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to teach emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for people who struggle with intense emotions or relationship conflicts.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together - Judea collaborates with clients to determine which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences, and she adapts the plan over time. Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to access consistent care around work, family, and daily life. These options provide flexibility in scheduling, reduce travel time, and allow therapy to continue from different locations when appropriate, supporting steady progress and practical problem solving.