Our Therapists

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Dr. Castillo received her doctorate from California School of Professional Psychology.  With over 24 years of clinical experience in various settings as both clinician and clinical supervisor as well as adjunct professor.  Born in Guatemala, she is bilingual and bicultural with specialties in human sexuality, trauma, couple’s therapy, family therapy, and cultural related matters.  As Clinical Director of Centro Castillo, she is fully dedicated to create an environment of learning, growth, and healing to all that enter its offices. Grassroots efforts such as being a Peace Corps volunteer, Suicide Hotline Counselor, and participating in an annual medical mission trip to Guatemala foster her passion for social service. 

Mrs. Lopez Albalawneh is a first generation, bilingual, Mexican American from Los Angeles, California. She obtained a Masters in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Mrs. Lopez Albalawneh has experience providing individual, family and group therapy in a variety of settings, including community mental health centers, inpatient hospitals and shelters. She has worked with youth, adults and families to address depression, anxiety, self-esteem, grief/loss, trauma, adjustment disorders, behavioral issues, academic concerns and life transitions.  

Ms. g. de Petrizzi earned her Masters degree from SSA at the University of Chicago. She completed the two-year Family Systems Program through The University of Illinois at the Institute for Juvenile Research. In addition, she has completed 4 years of doctoral studies at the Institute for Clinical Social Work.   Ms. de Petrizzi has extensive experience working with adolescents, couples and families. She has been completed at least one hundred Critical Incident stress debriefings including. She has also provided clinical supervision for second year master level students from the University of Chicago and The University of Illinois.  Ms. G. de Petrizzi has a beautiful ethnic mixture of Mexican, Spanish, Native American, and Dutch.  She is both bilingual and bicultural with more than 35 years of clinical experience. 

Dr. Garland received her doctorate from Yeshiva University in New York. She has over 6 years of experience providing individual and group therapy to children, adolescents, young adults, and families in a variety of settings, including schools and urban mental health clinics. She is skilled in providing therapy for individuals with issues related to autism, anxiety, depression, ADHD, social skills deficits, behavioral problems, and intellectual disabilities. 

Mrs. Marchant-Silva obtained her master's degree in Social Work at Jane Addams College of Social Work.  She is second-generation Mexican-America bilingual therapist.  She has clinical experience working both in inpatient and outpatient settings.  Mrs. Marchant-Silva works with individuals and families, as well as runs therapeutic groups.  She has worked with a wide range of concerns including but not limited to mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, chronic illness, conduct and behavioral disorders.  In addition, Mrs. Marchant-Silva has experience with reunification of families after suffering domestic violence and/or sexual assault. 

Ms. Annette Marquez earned her Masters in Social Work from Jane Addams College of Social Work. She is also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Addictions Counselor. Ms. Marquez has worked in the capacity of clinical social worker for the City’s Health Department. Prior to joining the City’s Health Department, Ms. Marquez worked in the drug and alcohol addictions field as a clinical supervisor for an out-patient clinic.  Ms. Marquez also has years of extensive experience in child welfare.  She has clinical experience working both with inpatient and outpatient settings.  Ms. Marquez is Puerto Rican and bilingual and works with individuals and families, as well as runs therapeutic groups. Her clinical specialties include drug and alcohol addiction, trauma, depression, behavioral issues, self-esteem, and anxiety. 

Ms.  Ramirez is a bilingual, second-generation, Mexican-American born and raised in Chicago. Ms. Ramirez received her master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University (formerly known as Adler School of Professional Psychology). Ms. Ramirez has worked with children, adults, and families. She has experience working with domestic violence, depression, anxiety, and trauma.  

Dr. Jonathan Saavedra is a bicultural and bilingual first-generation Ecuadorian-American born and raised in the city of Chicago. He earned his doctorate from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where he received specialized training focused on work with children, adolescents, and their families. Over the course of his training experiences he has had the opportunity to provide therapy to individuals of all ages in community mental health, school, and hospital settings. He has experience treating behavioral issues, ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, and parenting difficulties. Additionally, Dr. Saavedra has experience conducting psychological, psycho-educational, and neuropsychological testing for a broad range of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive issues related to intellectual disability, learning, attention and memory. 

Ms. Gonzalez Wiese obtained her Master's in Professional Counseling from La Salle University, in Philadelphia, PA. Ms. Gonzalez Wiese was born in the Dominican Republic and is both bilingual and bicultural. She has over 10 years of experience working in both an outpatient setting and in schools doing individual and group work. Ms. Gonzalez Wiese is skilled in working with individuals with depression, anxiety, victims of interpersonal violence, ADHD as well as specific trauma work. Ms. Gonzalez Wiese has also worked with families to improve family relationships and teach parenting skills.  

Dr. Ruiz received her PhD from the Carlos Albizu University in Puerto Rico. Her dissertation resulted in the creation of an Informational Manual for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Ruiz has experience providing individual therapy to children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics. He has experience working with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, parent training, autism, ADHD and pre-competitive anxiety with athletes. 

Ms. Garcia Alvarez obtained her Master’s in Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University with a focus in Clinical Mental Health. She was born in Michoacán, Mexico and practices with a bicultural lens as a bilingual therapist. She puts emphasis in recognizing cultural norms while working with culturally diverse clients. Ms. Garcia Alvarez has an array of skills and experience providing individual and group therapy in wide variety of settings, not limited to hospital settings, shelters and intensive outpatient clinics. Ms. Garcia Alvarez specializes in treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustments disorders, psychosis disorders, substance use and trauma. Ms. Garcia Alvarez hopes to continue fostering a strong community of empowerment to help clients overcome challenges. 

Ms. Nape received her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Nape has experience providing bilingual counseling to children, adolescents, and adults facing a wide variety of symptoms and life stressors in an outpatient setting. Her areas of experience include anxiety, depression, trauma, interpersonal and cultural conflict, behavioral issues, parenting, and others through a cognitive behavioral approach with a systemic lens. Before starting at Centro Castillo, Ms. Nape gained extensive experience providing trauma-informed, holistic case management to asylum seekers and undocumented survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. While Ms. Nape is not a person of color, she is bilingual fluent Spanish speaker and has a strong affinity and commitment to the Latino, immigrant, and refugee communities. Ms. Nape is committed to the lifelong practice of learning and self-reflection required to practice multicultural counseling.