Meet Ellie Castellano

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ellie Castellano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ellie, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
This is such a good question because, as a mental health therapist, I talk with clients all the time about their work/life balance, but reflecting on my own balance, I feel like I’ve been on quite the little roller coaster so far.
I’m thinking back to college. I had always been excited for school, imagining it as the place where I could finally be surrounded by people who loved learning as much as I did. I started small with classes and a few clubs, but by my second year I was in constant “add more” mode, and that carried me well past graduation. I worked multiple jobs, volunteered, joined a research lab, wrote an honors thesis, and kept piling things on. My husband calls this my “too much gene,” because once I start with things like this, I don’t know when to stop. That energy followed me into graduate school, where I was a full-time student, working full-time, leading the counseling honor society, and taking on every role I possibly could. It feels like I’m just listing my résumé, which actually makes sense because that was my mindset for many years. I measured myself by how much I could accomplish. Even when I broke out in stress-induced shingles at 25, I felt a strange pride in it, as if it proved how hard I was working.
After grad school, I kept seeking out opportunities to build my résumé, but I was beginning to run into roadblocks like I hadn’t quite experienced before, as if the winds were starting to shift. And then, just before turning 30, I was diagnosed with ADHD while also launching my private practice, Soulwise Counseling. Learning about my neurodivergence forced me to completely rethink how I understood myself, all while navigating the ups and downs of being a first time business owner. I could no longer ignore my limits, no matter how much I wanted to push through. For so long, my identity had been wrapped up in what I could accomplish, and suddenly I had to face what I now see as the opportunity to define myself differently, but I can assure you it didn’t always feel like an “opportunity”.
These days, I’m working towards being more intentional about what I commit to and why. It’s still hard to say no, but I am working to no longer live for my résumé. I’ve let go of “throwing spaghetti at the wall” just to see what sticks, and I focus instead on choices that match my values and my capacity. The hardest part has been resisting comparison, both to my younger self, who seemed to have endless energy, and to peers who are walking their own exciting paths. I work to honor where I am now without giving in to the shame of “not doing enough.”
Now, I’m trying to blend the curiosity and drive I’ve always had with the discernment I’ve learned. Every day I walk the line between “too much” and “not enough,” and I’m learning to meet myself with gentleness along the way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I didn’t always know I wanted to be a therapist, but looking back, the clues were always there. Every job I imagined growing up and every college major I tried before settling on psychology shared the same thread: helping people and trying to understand them.

I began my career working primarily with young children in play therapy. That season of my work taught me so much about developmental psychology, the lasting impact of early experiences, and the ways family dynamics shape who we become. Eventually, I realized my true passion was in working with adults and supporting them in understanding how those early dynamics continue to play out in their present lives. That shift was not about stepping away from play therapy as much as it was about stepping toward the conversations I felt most energized by: exploring the complexities of mental health, identity, and relationships across the lifespan. The influence of play therapy still stays with me, because now I get to encourage my adult clients to rediscover and create play in their own lives, only now with less clean up at the end of sessions.

As that transition unfolded, I launched my private practice and received my own later-in-life ADHD diagnosis. Like many adults who are diagnosed, I immersed myself in research and self-discovery, and it profoundly reshaped how I understood myself and my work. I became increasingly drawn to supporting neurodivergent adults, especially those diagnosed later in life. My lived experience of recognizing where neurodivergence shows up in my daily life, navigating the identity shifts that come with unmasking, and creatively building systems and processes has given me an experiential depth in my work. It allows me to meet clients in their own stories with both professional knowledge and personal understanding. This journey has also led me into advocacy, a commitment to creating more neuro-affirming spaces, and connecting with professionals who share this vision.

Another layer of my journey is my longstanding interest in astrology, tarot, human design, and other spiritual tools. For a long time, I kept that side of myself quiet, worried it would not fit neatly into the mental health field. Over time, I have learned to embrace it as a strength. Bridging spirituality and psychology has become one of the most meaningful aspects of my practice, and I’ve found that the more I allow that side of me to emerge, the more I attract clients who feel seen and understood through that shared language.

If there is one lesson I’ve learned along the way, it is that our careers, like our lives, are not linear. What sets me apart is not a single specialty or approach, but the way I weave together professional training, lived experience, and spiritual curiosity. I want the world to know that Soulwise Counseling is a place where mental health and spirituality can meet, and where people, especially neurodivergent people, are supported in uncovering the wisdom they already carry within themselves.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting, we’d start our mornings at Atlas Coffee for their chill vibes but amazing specialty coffee menu, and on the weekend we’d head to Lucile’s, our favorite brunch spot thanks to my husband’s New Orleans roots. Evenings would be for good food: Nola Jane on Market Street, which we loved so much we had them cater our wedding, and Los Dos Portrillos in Littleton, where carne asada street tacos and a margarita are always my go-to.

For activities, we’d wander Red Rocks to take in the views, and if the timing was right, catch a concert or Film on the Rocks. We’d make a stop at Casa Bonita, of course, because it’s simply an experience everyone has to have. Another highlight would be the Wings Over the Rockies Museum, which is extra special to me since my grandpa has a helicopter he built on display there, followed by food and drinks at the Lowry Beer Garden. If it’s fall, we’d head to the mountains for leaf peeping, Oktoberfest in Vail, and fondue inside a gondola car at Alpenrose. Driving back down, we’d make a detour at Bread Bar in Silver Plume for a cocktail and snap photos at every scenic stop we could find.

We’d also spend time exploring Old Towns, which is one of my favorite things to do with my husband on weekends. There’s nothing better than grabbing a coffee, wandering through boutiques and shops for little treasures, and ending the day with dinner. Old Town Littleton will always have my heart, with favorites like Honnibrook Meadery, The Lazy Greyhound, and The Melting Pot. Old Town Arvada wins me over with it’s variety, and if I could only highlight a few spots, they would be Rheinlander Bakery (the best King Cake in Colorado), Electric Cherry Shop (perfect for gifts, art prints, or vinyls), Homegrown Tap and Dough (great pizza), Book Cranny (a used bookstore I never leave empty handed), and Scumptious for ice cream and a fantastic candy selection to finish it all off.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel like I’m at an awards show where I only have a little bit of time to thank so many people!

First, my mom and dad. As I’ve gotten older and started to consider having children of my own, I realize more and more just how much they’ve done for me. Their love, hard work, and sacrifices gave me the foundation to pursue the life I have today. Mom and Dad, I hope you know that everything I do is built on the love and strength you’ve given me, and I carry that with me always.

My husband and best friend, Jack. His support, encouragement, wise insights, and ability to make me laugh until I cry almost daily have been everything. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life. He inspires me every day with the passion and value-driven hard work he pours into pursuing his own dreams, and that drive continually pushes me to grow as well.

My amazing friend and colleague, Kat. I’ve never had a sister, but finding Kat has felt like discovering one. We are so similar in how we think and process the world, and it has been incredible to have that kind of connection. She has become a true anchor in this sometimes scary world. She’s someone I can laugh with, navigate the ups and downs of our work with, and lean on as we push each other through shared fears and our unique aspirations.

Lastly, an organization that has been pivotal in my journey: People House. When I was starting grad school, my mom suggested I look into this nonprofit in Denver where she had once attended an inner child workshop. I applied for their administrative assistant position and quickly came to understand the special energy everyone talks about. People House provides holistic, accessible mental health care with a spiritual yet non-denominational approach, and during my time there I was fortunate to work closely with their Executive Director, Veronica Dieda, whose wisdom and dedication shaped me in lasting ways. Although I eventually left that role to begin full-time therapy work, I’m now honored to serve as Vice President on the Board of Directors. People House is where I first saw the beauty of integrating mental health and spirituality—a value that continues to be the through line of my work today.

Website: https://www.soulwisecounseling.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulwisecounseling/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-castellano-ma-lpc-ncc-5577bba3/