Online Therapy · California & Florida
You don't have to keep carrying this alone.
Trauma, OCD, anxiety, and attachment wounds don't have to run your life. We offer EMDR and evidence-based therapy from the comfort of your home — wherever you are in California or Florida.
✓ Aetna in-network ✓ Most PPO insurances accepted ✓ Evening & weekend appointments
Does any of this sound familiar?
If you're nodding your head, you're in the right place. These are the experiences we work with every day.
You feel stuck in the same patterns
You try to change, but the same cycles keep repeating — in your relationships, your reactions, or the way you talk to yourself.
Your thoughts feel out of control
Intrusive thoughts, constant worry, or OCD-like loops that don't respond to logic and leave you exhausted.
Your relationships feel complicated
You love the people in your life, but you keep running into the same walls — disconnection, conflict, or just not feeling truly seen.
The past keeps showing up in the present
Old wounds from childhood, past relationships, or trauma that should be over — but still shape how you feel and react today.
How We Can Help
Our approach is two-pronged: we triage what's going on by providing immediate strategies to manage current symptoms — nervous system regulation, referrals for medication evaluations when needed — while also slowly working on the underlying root causes and patterns for long-lasting healing.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for trauma, PTSD, and distressing memories. Attachment-focused EMDR for deep relational wounds.
Learn more →OCD & ERP Therapy
Exposure and Response Prevention — the gold-standard treatment for OCD, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive patterns. Telehealth across California.
Learn more →Trauma & Attachment
Childhood trauma, complex PTSD, attachment wounds, and the lasting effects of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. You can heal — not just cope.
Learn more →Women's Life Transitions
Motherhood, divorce, shifting relationships with adult children, perimenopause, and menopause. Navigating major life changes with support, not just survival.
Learn more →Anxiety & Panic
Chronic worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, and the constant low hum of dread that makes it hard to just be present. Evidence-based tools that actually help.
Learn more →Therapy for Men
A space where men can actually talk — without having to perform strength or have it all figured out. Specializing in trauma, OCD, and life transitions for men.
Learn more →Meet Your Therapists
A small, intentional practice — where you work with the same therapist every session, and the relationship is the foundation of everything.
Christina Castro, LPCC
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor · CA #10716 · FL #1589 · SC #2226
Christina's approach is two-pronged: she triages what's going on by providing immediate strategies to manage current symptoms, while also slowly working on the underlying root causes and patterns for long-lasting healing. She specializes in trauma, EMDR, attachment wounds, and complex PTSD — and works with women navigating major life transitions including motherhood, divorce, perimenopause, and menopause.
Private pay: $225 / 50-min session · Aetna & most PPOs accepted
James Garcia, ASW
Associate Social Worker · License #132540 · Supervised by Christina Castro, LPCC
James specializes in OCD and ERP therapy, using Exposure and Response Prevention to help clients break free from intrusive thoughts and compulsive patterns. He also provides specialized EMDR for OCD and substance use, and offers a non-judgmental, grounded space for men who rarely feel safe talking about what's really going on.
Private pay: $150 / 50-min session · Aetna & most PPOs accepted
What clients often tell us
"I've seen therapists before.
This felt different."
Many of the people who come to Brighter Days have already tried therapy — sometimes with two, three, or more therapists — and felt like they couldn't quite connect, or couldn't quite get traction.
That experience is more common than you'd think. And it matters, because the research is clear: the therapeutic relationship is the single greatest predictor of progress in therapy. Not the modality. Not the technique. The relationship.
Building that connection is something Christina is intentional about. Clients frequently describe her as easy to open up to — and that doesn't happen by accident. It comes from years of doing her own attachment work and genuinely believing that a real, trusting relationship is the foundation everything else is built on.
For some clients, that relationship spans years — through marriages, losses, career changes, and the quiet in-between moments. For others, it's a season of focused support through a specific transition. Either way, the goal is the same: a space where you can share what you've never said out loud, without fear of judgment or shame, and actually move forward.
"I finally feel like I can say anything without being judged. I've never had that in therapy before."
— Client, after 3 months"I saw four therapists before Christina. Within two sessions I knew this was different."
— Client, after 1 year"She meets you exactly where you are. I never feel like I have to perform or have it together."
— Long-term client* Composite reflections based on common themes shared by clients. No identifying information is used, in compliance with HIPAA.
About our practice
Why Brighter Days
We're a small, intentional practice — not a therapy marketplace. Every client works with the same therapist each session, building the kind of trust that makes real progress possible.
- ✓ LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and BIPOC affirming
- ✓ Aetna in-network with both therapists
- ✓ Evening and weekend appointments available
- ✓ 100% telehealth — no commute, no waiting room
- ✓ Trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches
- ✓ First-generation and culturally aware care
"Healing doesn't happen in a vacuum — it happens in relationship. That's why I've spent years not just learning trauma therapies, but doing my own work. I know what it feels like to sit in the chair on the other side. That's what I bring to every session."— Christina Castro, LPCC · Founder, Brighter Days Teletherapy
Insurance & Fees
We believe quality mental health care should be accessible. We accept Aetna and work with most PPO plans.
🏥 Aetna In-Network
Both Christina and James are in-network with Aetna, including Aetna student health plans. You pay only your copay or coinsurance — we bill the rest directly.
Private pay rates: Christina $225 · James $150 per 50-min session.
Insurance clients typically pay much less — based on your specific plan.
📋 PPO Out-of-Network
Most PPO plans reimburse 50–80% of out-of-network therapy costs. We electronically submit the claim directly to your insurance on your behalf — no superbill hassle. Just wait for the reimbursement check, or choose to only be charged the difference once we confirm your insurance has paid.
🤝 Imagine 360
We accept Imagine 360 health plans. Contact us to verify your specific coverage before your first appointment.
Not sure what your plan covers? Check your benefits before your first appointment.
Check Your BenefitsHow It Works
Getting started is simple. Most clients have their first session within a week of reaching out.
Book a Free Consultation
Schedule a free 15-minute call so we can learn about what's going on and answer any questions. No commitment required.
Get Matched
We'll match you with the right therapist for your specific needs, goals, and schedule — then set up your first full session.
Start Your First Session
Join from anywhere in California or Florida via secure video. No commute, no waiting room — just a real conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? We're happy to answer them on your free consultation call.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes — both Christina and James are in-network with Aetna, including Aetna student health plans. We also work with most PPO plans as out-of-network providers and provide superbills for reimbursement. We also accept Imagine 360.
How does telehealth therapy work?
Sessions are held via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. You join from your phone, tablet, or computer — all you need is a private space and a reliable internet connection. It's just like an in-person session, from the comfort of your home.
What happens in the first session?
The first session is about getting to know each other. Your therapist will ask about what's bringing you in, your history, and what you're hoping to get out of therapy. There's no pressure to share more than you're comfortable with — it's your pace.
How long does therapy take?
It depends on what you're working through. Some clients find meaningful relief in a few months; others work with us for years as they navigate ongoing life transitions. We check in regularly about your progress and adjust the pace to fit your needs.
What is EMDR and how does it work?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories that are "stuck." Through guided bilateral stimulation, your nervous system can finally complete the processing it couldn't do at the time of the original experience.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes — we offer a free 15-minute consultation call so you can ask questions, share what's going on, and get a sense of whether we're the right fit. There's no commitment or pressure. You can book directly through our website.
Ready to feel like yourself again?
Most clients say reaching out was the hardest part. We make the rest easy.
No commitment · Free 15-minute call · We'll answer all your questions