Who I Am
Heidy Castaneda, MA, LMHC, LMFT
As a therapist, I operate under the worldview that healing is possible because I know that changing, growing, and developing is a natural part of life.
I believe that people have the capacity to heal when they are met with compassion, empathy, and support.
Born in Cuba, my family and I emigrated to the US when I was young and I have called Central Florida my home ever since. As a child, I was very observant and drawn to understanding people and relationships. These traits evolved into my commitment to stand as a guide for healing, working with couples and individuals.
Fluent in English and Spanish (and Spanglish), I enjoy counseling in either language. In my spare time, I enjoy barbell strength training, singing with my husband, and spending quality time with family and friends.
"My mission is to empower individuals with the strength of mind and spirit to face life’s challenges with personal bravery, fostering resilience and emotional well-being through compassionate, evidence-based care."
Valor /ˈvalər/
: Strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with personal bravery.
I often compare the journey of therapy to finally tackling a very cluttered closet you’ve been neglecting for a long time.
At first, it might seem overwhelming and scary. It may even start to feel worse before it starts to feel better. But once you begin doing the work, sorting through all the things you stuffed into this “closet”, you feel the relief and satisfaction of your effort. You can transform your “closet” into a space that serves you.
My passion lies in working with individuals (18+) and couples. I hold dual licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I earned my Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at AdventHealth University and completed my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rollins College with a certificate in Family and Relationship Therapy.
If you are ready to start your healing journey, know that I’m not here to bombard you with advice. Instead, I mirror you.
I’m here to be a guiding presence, a collaborative partner in your journey to achieve your goals. My promise to you is that I’ll be present with you — as you find balance and wholeness.