I’m a bilingual, bicultural Licensed Psychologist (CA PSY 34088), speaker, consultant and host of the Latine ADHD podcast. Through therapy, speaking, and consulting, I help people recognize and change the patterns that keep them stuck so they can pursue their goals more sustainably. My work draws on my expertise in adult ADHD and Latine/x mental health, grounded in trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches.
I’m from Maryland and the daughter of Peruvian immigrants. Growing up, I experienced poverty, witnessed my father be deported, and saw how documentation status created barriers to higher education for classmates and people close to me. These experiences shaped my awareness of how culture, identity and systemic barriers influence people’s opportunities and well-being. They also strengthened my commitment to making psychological knowledge and support more accessible.
As a first-generation college graduate, I earned my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, where I participated in the McNair Scholars Program. I later earned my M.A. and Ph.D. through the APA-accredited Counseling Psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During graduate school, I founded the Latina/o Graduate Student Association at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to foster community, mentorship, and professional development. My training also included PASEO, a Spanish Immersion Program in Peru. Being in a rural area of Peru my identity as a Peruvian American woman born and raised in the U.S. was salient. I embraced the culture while also being aware of my own knowledge gaps, areas of bias, and how my privilege affects my work.
Based in Los Angeles, I enjoy dancing, spending time at the beach and hiking.
About Dr. Janice Castro
pronouns: She/her/ella
Why I specialize in ADHD
Although I do not have ADHD myself, I deeply relate to the experience of feeling like an outsider in systems not built for you.
As a bilingual, bicultural, first-generation college graduate and eldest daughter of Peruvian immigrants, I’ve felt the pressure to constantly prove myself, code-switch, and hide parts of who I am.
Learning about neurodiversity expanded my understanding of inclusion.
I chose to specialize in adult ADHD because I see this work as part of a larger movement toward equity, liberation, and redefining how we value different kinds of minds.
Through my clinical work, I’ve also seen how ADHD can magnify patterns that many people experience, such as relying on urgency, self-criticism, or overextension to get things done. These coping patterns can develop as people navigate ADHD-related executive functioning challenges and expectations. They can work in the short term and aren’t always sustainable. This has deepened my commitment to helping adults with ADHD develop strategies that work for them and live with more self-compassion, structure, and authenticity.
Whether through therapy, speaking engagements, or the Latine ADHD podcast, my goal is to bridge mental health, culture, and education, making conversations about ADHD more culturally grounded, relatable, and hopeful.
At J.C. Psychological Services, my mission is to make psychological knowledge more accessible and help create sustainable change in how people live, work, and lead.
Through therapy, speaking, and consulting, I draw on psychological research, culturally responsive approaches, and practical strategies to challenge limiting expectations, deepen understanding, and support individual and organizational well-being.
I’m also committed to reducing mental health stigma, especially around adult ADHD and within Latine communities. I work to dismantle stereotypes and promote equity and inclusion and champion a world where diverse minds are celebrated and empowered.
Mission Statement
Speaking Engagements
Talks on psychology, culture, and sustainable ways to live, work, and lead.
SIGNATURE TALK
What If Working Harder Was Never the Answer?
This talk challenges the belief that our worth is tied to constant overperformance and invites audiences to redefine perseverance. Drawing on psychology and cultural expectations, it explores how to pursue goals with greater self-trust, clarity, and sustainability.
CLINICAL SEMINAR
ADHD in the Latine Community: Cultural Considerations and Strategies for Clinical Practice
Designed for mental health clinicians, this research-informed seminar uses case examples and practical strategies to address stigma, parenting beliefs, medication concerns, and culturally responsive communication with Latine families.
ADDITIONAL SPEAKING TOPICS
I also offer presentations on mental health, Spanish-language ADHD education for parents and community members, and panel discussions. Topics and formats can be tailored to the audience and organization's needs.
Español
English
Speaker Testimonials: Trusted by Communities & Conferences Across the U.S.
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FEATURED TRAINER | Howard County Department of Community Resources & Services – Office of the Local Children’s Board
"Our organization had the pleasure to work with Dr. Castro and were absolutely thrilled with the result!
Dr. Castro provided a psychoeducation presentation on coping with stress, anxiety, and depression to the Spanish speaking families in our county and it was incredible to watch how she engaged the families throughout the session.
Dr. Castro provided a profound experience for families by interweaving her expertise, her engaging presenting style, and her passion and empathy for the Latine/x community.
The most rewarding part was at the end during the question-and-answer portion. Families were vulnerable, asking hard questions, and Dr. Castro was patient, empathic, and thorough with her responses.
Families left the training with applicable strategies to incorporate self-care practices in their everyday lives!
We highly recommend Dr. Castro to any organization who is looking for a trainer/ presenter who is not only culturally responsive but also someone who radiates positivity!"
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FEATURED PANELIST | National Latinx Psychological Association Annual Conference
“Dr. Castro's participation as a panelist in the internship session at the annual National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA) was energizing and exciting. Her honesty and vulnerability were inspiring to all attendees. Her suggestions were helpful around the internship process, and more importantly, her genuineness when addressing the struggles felt real and relatable. I am glad to be able to hear both sides and to have had the opportunity to engage in an honest and open conversation with such an inspiring Latina in the field.”
- Sandra Bertram Grant Solís, MEd, NLPA Panel Coordinator
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FEATURED FACILITATOR | Plaza Comunitaria Sinaloa, Inc. - Community Healing / Sanando Comunidades Project (Spanish)
“It was such a pleasure to work with Dr. Janice Castro who participated in our mental health project called Community Healing / Sanando Comunidades. She facilitated and presented at two of the workshops which covered topics in destigmatizing mental health as well as stress/anxiety/depression management which engaged the Latinx/e community effectively and provided a safe space for discussion.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with her and would highly recommend her services.”
- Jacqueline Paniagua, Director, COO, Plaza Comunitaria Sinaloa, Inc.
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FEATURED SPEAKER | National Alliance for Hispanic Health Webinar (Spanish)
“Dr. Castro presented a very informative mental health webinar in Spanish to women from Chicago, IL; El Paso, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; and San Diego, CA. She was very engaging, empathetic, charismatic, and a good listener with the audience. She offered various examples as she presented the information from the PowerPoint. The audience felt confident and comfortable in asking her questions and Dr. Castro professionally answered as many as she could while respecting the session’s allotted time.
I would highly recommend her to speak at any speaking engagements in English and Spanish.”
- Gladys Mendoza, MHA, Director of Special Initiatives in the Office of the President
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FEATURED PANELIST | Social Connections Summit 2025 – “Making Communication Work for Every Brain"
"Dr. Castro joined the Social Connections Summit 2025 as a panelist on ‘Making Communication Work for Every Brain.‘
As the daughter of Peruvian immigrants, she brought a cultural perspective that enriched the conversation and made her contribution unforgettable.
She brought together insights on ADHD, resilience, and identity as her message highlighted how workplaces need to consider culture when communicating, since it shapes how people experience both challenges and strengths.
What I valued most was her ability to reframe struggles as opportunities for rest, perseverance, and self-compassion.
Her contribution gave the Summit both depth and heart, and her voice added a dimension that made the event truly inclusive.
Whether you are looking for a speaker who bridges culture, identity, and mental health, I highly recommend Dr. Castro."
- Coach Lee Hopkins, Host of Social Connections Summit, & Social Connections Coach for Late Identified Autistic Adults
Virtual ADHD Therapy for Adults in California
I provide virtual therapy for adults navigating ADHD, whether you were diagnosed later in life or are beginning to wonder if ADHD plays a role in your daily struggles.
My work centers culturally responsive care for BIPOC and bicultural individuals, with an emphasis on understanding how culture, identity, and lived experience shape mental health.
Do you often feel overwhelmed, forgetful, or easily distracted? Does getting through your day in an organized and timely way feel exhausting or out of reach? You may have been labeled “lazy” or “irresponsible” in the past, labels that don’t reflect the full picture.
ADHD can affect many areas of life, including health, work, relationships, and the relationship you have with yourself. For BIPOC individuals, these challenges are often compounded by cultural misunderstandings and limited access to affirming, accurate care.
As a bicultural, bilingual psychologist specializing in ADHD therapy for adults, I support clients in making sense of these experiences and building practical, personalized strategies that fit their real lives.
Free 15-Minute ADHD Therapy Consultation
If any of this resonates, I offer a free 15-minute consultation. This brief, low-pressure call gives us a chance to:
Talk about what you’re struggling with
Answer your questions about therapy
See whether my approach feels like the right fit
You don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out.
How Virtual ADHD Therapy Works
Start with a free 15-minute consultation
A short, low-pressure call to talk through what’s bringing you in and what support you’re looking for.
Meet virtually from anywhere in California
All sessions are held online, offering flexibility and accessibility without commuting or added stress.
Confirm fit before moving forward
We’ll make sure my style, experience, and approach align with your needs so you can move forward feeling confident—not rushed.
If you’re curious whether this support could be right for you, the first step is simply a conversation.
What clients often share after working with me:
“Working with Janice has been a positive experience. She is knowledgeable and also warm and empathic. In our sessions, I felt understood and supported every step of the way. Her guidance helped me process emotions I had long overlooked and provided the structure I needed to accomplish my goals in therapy. I’m grateful for the support and tools I’ve gained through our work together, and highly recommend working with Janice”
Specializations:
ADHD
Depression
Anxiety
Stress management
My approach to therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Racially Conscious Trauma-Informed Care
Person-Centered Therapy
Here’s what working together looks like logistically:
Individual therapy sessions
50 minutes - $250
Using insurance?
I currently accept Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, and Carelon Behavioral Health. You can use Headway’s secure tool to estimate your per-session cost or copay based on your specific plan.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance, an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency health care services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you recieve a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can disbute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.
Helping Latine communities explore ADHD and mental health with simple tools and stories to build confidence and resilience.
ADHD Resources
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD): https://chadd.org/
Understood: https://www.understood.org/
How to ADHD: https://www.youtube.com/c/howtoadhd