A little bit about me
My name’s Ben Castro and I’m a 2nd generation Filipino Canadian born and raised on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh land.
I began Second Wind Counselling as a way to reinvigorate hope where it’s needed the most, seeing the suffering happening in those who are isolated and distraught. I see life challenges as relationship challenges, whether with others or with ourselves.
Having been educated in both counselling and artistic modalities, I seek to support our collective well-being by integrating the spark of the creative process. This has taken me to counsel in several settings, including anti-oppressive clinics, maximum-security settings, and the downtown eastside. I’ve learned that no person or emotion is too scary to be met with dignity, respect, and hope.
On a more personal note
Selfie Help
(2017)
Digital
As a therapist, my personal experiences implicitly inform what I do and what I see. I am no stranger to harm, needing to participate in repair on both sides. Having learned to confront those who’ve caused harm as well as humbling myself as someone who’s caused harm as well, my empathy and compassion extends to all people no matter how “bad” they are. These aspects of my life, along many others, have inspired my work both as a clinical counsellor and a poet. This is ongoing work that I seek to pursue in my life alongside the belief of wanting to leave the world better than I entered it. Self expression, community support, and mental health support provided a great way to navigate and overcome each of these hardships.