Our Therapists

---

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. 

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. Jose Centeno was born in the USA but moved with his family to Puerto Rico from early adolescence until his mid 20’s. He completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Universidad de Puerto Rico at Cayey, Puerto Rico and his doctorate in clinical psychology at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.  Dr. Centeno provides clinical services through individual, couples, family, and group therapy. Dr. Centeno practices Psychodynamic Psychotherapy integrated with a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) approach.  He enjoys working with adolescents and adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, life stressors/transitions, trauma, acculturation, cultural struggles/oppression, grief/loss, and LGBTQ+ issues. He is bilingual in English and Spanish. For Dr. Centeno, therapy is a journey toward alleviating psychological distress and addressing current ineffective behaviors.

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. 

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. 

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. Rosas-Reyes is a first-generation Mexican American from Chicago. She earned her bachelor's degree in Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University and her master's degree from Loyola University Chicago, specializing in Children and Families. Ms. Rosas-Reyes offers clinical services including individual, family, and group therapy. Her experience includes working in various settings such as a community mental health program, migrant shelters, and Early Head Start. She practices psychotherapy with a trauma-informed approach and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Ms. Rosas-Reyes believes that therapy is a place to process emotions, identify the root of distress, and identify steps to reach goals.  

Mr. Gonzalez Castillo is a bicultural and bilingual professional born and raised in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, with over 5 years of professional experience working in the South of Mexico and Chicago, Illinois, advocating and working directly with underserved communities. Throughout his professional career, Mr. Gonzalez Castillo has worked directly in favor of those who need help the most but can afford it the least. His clinical experience ranges from rehabilitation centers and Hospitals in Mexico, working in collaboration with the government of Mexico, raising awareness on sexual and reproductive rights and gender violence directly with marginalized communities. In Chicago, he has worked with people of various cultural backgrounds attempting to recover from Opioid Use Disorder.  Mr. Gonzalez Castillo utilizes Narrative therapy techniques and Open Dialogue with the aim to generate a safe space where people can engage in self-reflection and learn skills that will allow them to live and communicate in a more authentic way throughout their day to day.    

Ms. Harris earned her Master of Arts in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration from the University of Chicago, where she specialized in clinical social work and gained experience in both psychotherapy and case management.  Her passion is helping people navigate life’s challenges, whether they are dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, or the complexities of chronic illness.  Her approach to therapy is collaborative, empathetic, and tailored to each individual utilizing interventions such as the power of storytelling, mindfulness, and a strengths-based perspective to foster healing and personal growth.  Ms. Harris is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and proud of her diverse heritage as White, Mexican, and Chickasaw. Her multiracial and multicultural background has instilled in her a deep appreciation for different cultures. .  

Ms. Jane de Loys LSW received her master's in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, with an undergraduate degree from University of Alabama in Political Science and Criminal Justice. In her time as a social worker, she has worked with a diverse population of individuals and families. Ms. de Loys’s experience includes working with youths through adulthood as individuals and in families, community mental health, and mental health advocacy. Her work is rooted in equity, inclusion, and empathy with an approach tailored to best meet patients' goals. Ms. de Loys specialized in treatment of grief/loss, transitions/life changes, severe mental illness, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, family functioning, LGBTQIA+ issues, and substance use .  

Ms. Mendez Moreno received her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Universidad de las Américas CDMX (UDLA-CDMX) and her master’s degree in psychology with residency in child psychotherapy at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).  She also completed two years of study and obtained a master’s degree in leadership for international Humanitarian Action at Universidad Hebraica de México. Born in Veracruz, and raised in Ciudad de México, she is fluent in both English and Spanish and has over 12 years of experience working with children and their families coping with adverse life experiences, violence and trauma. Ms. Mendez Moreno works with people from 3 years old to adulthood, she uses an integrative therapy model that allows her to adapt the therapeutic work to the specific needs of the person, creating a "tailor-made suit" to accompany them in facing socio-affective and life challenges. Additionally, she has experience working with a wide range of cases such as behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, school adjustment, ADHD and parenting difficulties, among others.  

Xochitl Sandoval, LCSW 

Xochitl Sandoval (ze/zir) is a queer, and trans/agender first generation Mexican-American Social Worker. Ze was born and raised in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. Xochitl earned their Master's degree from the University of Chicago and has focused zir career on supporting culturally diverse, and LGBTQIA2S+ adolescents and adults. Xochitl has provided individual, couples, and group therapy in addition to advocacy support, intensive case management, and in-home crisis support. In addition to zir employment positions, Xochitl has served as a volunteer therapist at the Kovler Center for Victims of Torture.  Xochitl specializes in working with LGBTQIA2S+ people, people living with complex mental health needs, couples, students, and young professionals. Their clinical treatment areas include trauma, grief, substance abuse, career stress, navigating disability, and exploring pleasure. Xochitl is committed to social justice, cultural humility, and accountability, and is honored to be of service.