Exploring Life & Business with Jaleesa Castrellon of Therapy with Jaleesa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaleesa Castrellon.

Hi Jaleesa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and from a young age, I knew I wanted to help others in some way. That desire shaped the choices I made, from being a youth leader at church to working as a behavior interventionist in an ABA company, and eventually becoming a licensed therapist. Looking back, I think I’ve always been drawn to spaces where I could sit with people who didn’t feel seen or heard, because in some ways, I understood what that felt like.

Growing up, I was the “good kid.” I did what was expected, came from a loving home, and cared deeply about making others proud. But underneath that was a quiet pressure, a belief that I had to earn my worth through performance or perfection. If I fell short in any way, I would spiral into self-criticism and tell myself I should’ve done better. It wasn’t until graduate school that I realized what I was experiencing wasn’t just drive, it was anxiety. And that realization changed the way I understood myself and the work I wanted to do.

As I grew into my role as a therapist, I found myself connecting most deeply with clients who reminded me of that younger version of me, the ones who put everyone else first and hold it all together on the outside while feeling unseen on the inside. I’m passionate about helping people unlearn perfectionism, explore who they are beneath the masks, and make room for their authentic selves. Over time, that’s also led me to work with neurodivergent clients, people who have spent so much of their lives trying to “fit in,” when what they truly deserve is to feel free to take up space just as they are.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If you had asked me three years ago if I’d ever consider starting a private practice, I would have said absolutely not. I didn’t think I had the courage for it. I liked the security of a steady paycheck and didn’t want the weight of owning a business.

At the time, I had just left my job in addiction treatment, work I was good at but that didn’t feel like the right fit for me. I started a new position thinking I could grow there, but I eventually realized I was still chasing external validation, trying to meet expectations that weren’t my own. It hit me that as long as my growth depended on someone else’s approval, I would always feel unfulfilled. I just didn’t know how to step out of that cycle.

Then, two years ago, my world shifted when I unexpectedly lost my dad. That loss changed everything. It gave me a sense of urgency, a reminder that life isn’t something to just endure but something to be lived with intention. I realized I wanted to build a life and career that I genuinely enjoy, one that reflects who I am and what matters most.

Since then, every decision I’ve made has been intentional. That hasn’t meant it’s been easy; there’s been fear, anxiety, and moments of deep doubt. I’ve had to trust my niche and remind myself that I am good enough. I’ve had to make financial choices to care for my family while building something sustainable. There’s been pressure, absolutely, but I’m learning that pressure doesn’t have to be the whole story. I can hold ambition and self-compassion at the same time, and that’s a lesson I try to model for my clients too.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Therapy with Jaleesa is my private practice where I work with children, teens, and adults who are navigating anxiety, perfectionism, and the pressure to please everyone around them. Many of my clients are also neurodivergent, and I’m passionate about creating a space where they can feel understood, not “othered.” My goal is to help clients understand themselves more deeply, develop tools that actually fit their lives, and begin to trust that they are already enough.

What sets Therapy with Jaleesa apart is the heart behind it. This isn’t just a business for me; it’s personal. Every piece of my brand, from the tone of my website to the videos I share on social media, reflects my hope that therapy feels approachable and human. I want people to see that healing isn’t about “fixing” themselves, but about reconnecting with who they’ve always been beneath the pressure to be perfect.

Beyond the therapy room, I use social media as a way to extend the heart of my practice to a wider community. Through Therapy with Jaleesa on Instagram and TikTok, I share reflections, gentle reminders, and a mix of humor and real talk that make therapy feel more approachable. My goal is to help people feel seen whether they’re my clients or someone simply scrolling who needs a moment of validation or a laugh that reminds them they’re not alone. It’s a space where I blend authenticity, warmth, and creativity to show that healing can be both meaningful and lighthearted.

I’m so proud that my brand feels like me. It’s a reflection of my values warmth, authenticity, and care. Whether someone finds me through social media, my website, or a referral, I want them to feel seen before they ever step into the therapy room.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
This past year, I had the opportunity to do some supervision work, and it reminded me how much I love supporting new clinicians who are working toward licensure. It’s such an important stage in your career, one that deserves the right balance of encouragement and honest guidance. I’ve had both really good and not-so-great supervision experiences, and what I’ve learned is that both can teach you something valuable.

If I could give advice to those just starting out, it would be this: you are both capable and still learning. I know that sounds contradictory, but both can be true at the same time. Imposter syndrome can make you feel like you have to prove yourself in every room, but it can also keep you from asking for help. When you let yourself be authentic, confident in your strengths but open about your growth edges, that’s when real development happens.

I wish I had known early on that being capable doesn’t mean having to know everything. You can trust your training, trust your instincts, and still lean on others for support. That balance doesn’t take away from your professionalism, it’s what sustains it. Showing up authentically, flaws and all, is where the best therapeutic work begins.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://therapywithjaleesa.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapywithjaleesa?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapywithjaleesa?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therapywithjaleesa/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Therapywithjaleesa
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@therapywithjaleesa?_r=1&_t=ZT-911777AaXZl