Today’s Business Highlight: The Cozy Corner with Tiffany Castillo, LPC, PMH-C

rosajaviersales
Apr 18
14 min read

Updated: Apr 19

For the second season of Business Highlight, I wanted to start with something deeply near and dear to me: support for new parents. My first interview is with Tiffany Castillo, a therapist at The Cozy Corner Counseling, who specializes in perinatal mental health.

This project is all about bringing awareness to the incredible resources and professionals we have right here in the Lehigh Valley, and this one is very close to my heart. In my experience, postpartum and perinatal care is often centered on the baby. But what about the parents? Finding support, education, and guidance during this stage isn’t always as easy as it should be.

That’s exactly why I chose to begin this season with Tiffany! To highlight the importance of caring for the parents just as much as the baby, and to connect our community with professionals who are highly trained in this space.

During our conversation, we focused on the journey of conceiving and pregnancy, opening up the space to better understand what support can and should look like during these stages.

Let's get to know Tiffany and her practice!

Business Information:

The Cozy Corner

Tiffany Castillo, LPC, PMH-C

2857 Nazareth Rd., Suite 204, Easton, PA 18045

Info@TheCozyCornerCounseling.com

(484) 202-0280

https://www.thecozycornercounseling.com/tiffany-castillo-lpc

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563375097870

INTRODUCTION

Rosa: Hi, how are you?

Tiffany Castillo: I’m good, how are you?

Rosa: I’m good! Can you tell me who you are: your name, what you do, and where we are?

Tiffany: My name is Tiffany Castillo. I'm a licensed professional counselor, and we’re at The Cozy Corner Counseling in Easton. We’re a mental health private practice.

BACKGROUND AND CREDENTIALS

Rosa: Can you let us know what kind of credentials are required to practice?

Tiffany: To become a licensed professional counselor, I completed a bachelor's degree, then a master's degree, followed by two years of supervised clinical work after graduation, and passed a licensing exam.

Rosa: So, how many years is that in total?

Tiffany: It can take a minimum of eight years.

Rosa: Wow! And how long have you been practicing?

Tiffany: I've been a licensed therapist for two years, but I've been doing therapy for about five years.

SPECIALTIES & IDEAL CLIENTS

Rosa: What are your main areas of specialty?

Tiffany: My specialties include anxiety disorders, trauma and complex PTSD, as well as pregnancy, postpartum, and perinatal mental health.

Rosa: Who are the people who best fit your work?

Tiffany: Most of my clients are moms: those who are pregnant, have recently given birth, or families experiencing postpartum mood disorders like anxiety, depression, or OCD. Often, I see moms who feel overwhelmed or unsure how to manage the transition into motherhood. Sometimes past trauma resurfaces during this stage.

Rosa: How do you approach working with these clients?

Tiffany: I meet clients where they are. My space is set up to be parent-friendly. I have a changing table, baby gate, and mat. Moms are welcome to bring their children into sessions. That's important because asking a new mom to leave her baby for an hour can be very stressful. We work together while she's also caring for her child.

First Session Experience & Techniques

Rosa: What does your first session look like?

Tiffany: My approach is collaborative. We talk about what the client is looking for and set expectations. Sessions are usually an hour long. I typically recommend weekly sessions to start, but we can adjust. I also emphasize that not every therapist is the right fit, and that's okay. Depending on the situation, I introduce coping skills or exercises, such as bodybased techniques or calming strategies.

Rosa: Do you incorporate meditation?

Tiffany: Sometimes. It's part of the work, but not the entire approach. We also use movement, like dancing to reggaeton or bachata. If that works for the client. Others may prefer more calming or meditative techniques. It's very individualized.

Rosa: What's one thing you wish people knew before starting therapy?

Tiffany: I wish people understood how much power and choice they actually have. Many clients come in feeling hopeless, like they had no control. But choosing to seek help is already a powerful step.

Partners & Parenthood Dynamics

Rosa: In the transition to parenthood, how does your approach differ for pregnant parents versus a supporting partner? Do you usually see mostly women, or just haven't had as many men come in?

Tiffany: I see both. It can look a little different, but I assess them the same way. Men can also experience postpartum mood disorders, including anxiety and depression. Their biology changes as well, testosterone levels can drop during pregnancy and after birth.

Rosa: Really?

Tiffany: Yes, but it presents differently. When we think about postpartum depression in mom, we think about crying, difficulty bonding with the baby, and appearing very sad. For dads, it might show up as playing video games all day, smoking weed, irritability, leaving the house, or becoming overstimulated. So, while it looks different, it can still lead to conflict. If the mom is overwhelmed and the dad is coping by withdrawing, she may feel unsupported and needing a break, while he feels like he needs a break, too.

Rosa: Sometimes women don't even go shower, for example. They feel like they have to ask for permission.

Tiffany: Yes!

Different Paths to Parenthood

Rosa: How do you see differences between same-sex couples bringing a child into the world? We often think men and women are completely different, but I've seen similar dynamics in same-sex couples, where the person who carried the baby is dealing with more biological changes, and the other partner is trying to understand. Do you see that?

Tiffany: I do. If we look at a lesbian couple- two women who decide to have a baby- we usually work with the mom who gave birth in terms of hormonal changes. Then, with the other partner, we focus on helping her build bonding and attachment with the baby.

Even though she didn't give birth, mood disorders can still come up, and so can the worries that come with being a new parent. Questions like, "Will my baby love me?" "Do we have the same attachment?" "Are we genetically connected?" Those are all real concerns. I do a lot of work around those behind-the-scenes emotional pieces.

Rosa: Being a parent is so different today: same-sex couples, IVF, all of it. The transition into having a child can be intense. How do you approach that in general? Is there a difference in how you work with parents who conceived through IVF, same-sex couples, heterosexual couples, or any other path?

Tiffany: Yes, because the experiences are very different. For example, about 50% of pregnancies that happen naturally are unplanned, while someone going through IVF or IUI has usually been planning and trying for a long time. One of the questions I ask is, "How did this baby come to be? " Was the baby intentional? Planned? Not planned? Are there feeding challenges? We talk about all of those things and that helps guide my approach. Because if I have someone who has been trying for years to have a baby and then struggles to bond with their baby, that can be really difficult.

Rosa: That's really hard! You wanted this, and now you're feeling that way.

Communication & Identity Shifts in Parenthood

Rosa: What are some common misunderstandings partners have about each other during pregnancy?

Tiffany: I would say communication?

Rosa: Communication?

Tiffany: That's the biggest thing that changes. The person carrying the baby is going through hormonal changes, but also identity changes. They are no longer themselves- they are becoming a mother or a caregiver. Because of that, the partner who isn't the birthing parent can feel like they have to tread lightly. They don't fully recognize who their partner is in that moment.

Rosa: Right. They don't even know who they are.

Tiffany: Exactly. That's why communication becomes so important. It can turn into this dynamic- what I call a kind of dance- of "Do you care about me? "Are we okay?" "Is everything okay? It doesn't always happen, but it's very common.

Understanding Conflict: What Couples Are Really Arguing About

Rosa: They're both overwhelmed in their own way. How do you help them understand each other?

Tiffany: I break it down into what they're actually arguing about. One of the biggest examples I see, especially with a newborn, is the baby crying. If we're talking about a heterosexual couple, the mom's brain has shifted- her threat detection is highly focused on the baby. When the baby cries, it feels like danger, like something is wrong. For the partner, like the dad, it doesn't trigger the same response. The baby crying doesn't feel as urgent. The mom might feel stressed about leaving the baby with them, thinking the baby will be left crying too long. Meanwhile, the other partner is thinking, "The baby is crying, but everything is fine." That's where we start working underneath the surface to understand what the argument is really about.

Rosa: It's a lot of layers...like an onion. A big onion. That plays into decision-making with everything.

Tiffany: It does. And it also depends on how the family came to be. If it's two men or two women having a baby through IVF, that's a completely different experience.

Rosa: Very different.

Tiffany: Compared to a heterosexual couple who conceived naturally. Even within that, a man and a woman can also go through IVF, which adds another layer. There are so many different possibilities that can come into play.

Navigating Pressure After an Unplanned Pregnancy

Rosa: When someone feels pressure to figure everything out quickly after an unplanned pregnancy, what do you recommend? After they find out they're pregnant and have to make decisions fast, how do you guide them mentally so they can slow down and actually think clearly?

Tiffany: It depends. A lot of it depends on when they come into my space. If they come in during the first or second trimester, we can focus on processing what happened: Finding out they were pregnant, how it happened, and what's going on underneath. Was it stable relationship? Did something happen to them? We explore those deeper layers and build coping skills. From there, we figure out what works best for them. That might look like something more active, like movement and music- reggaeton or bachata- or something more calming, like slowing things down and incorporating meditation. If they come in during the third trimester and are about to give birth in a month, then we shift into solution mode. At that point, it becomes, "Let's figure out a plan together." because the baby is on the way.

Rosa: There are layers within layers!

Tiffany: Yes.

Rosa: Not just how the baby came to be, but also how the relationship came to be. A situation like a one-night stand that results in pregnancy is a completely different experience.

Tiffany: Yes.

Finding the Right Therapist

Rosa: For someone who feels overwhelmed and doesn't know where to start, what are two or three ways to find a therapist who's a good fit?

Tiffany: Is this for pregnancy specifically or in general?

Rosa: Specifically for new parents or people who are conceiving.

Tiffany: I would recommend Psychology Today. It's a website where you can search for therapists in your area. You can filter by insurance, virtual or in-person sessions, and specialities. There's even an option for pregnancy and postpartum care. If you're connected with local systems like St. Luke's or LVHN, they often have "Mommy and Me" support groups or baby-centered resources. I'd also recommend searching online for pregnancy and postpartum therapy in your area. And most importantly, ask questions. Ask about the therapist's training and experience.

Navigating Complex Pregnancies & Loss of Control

Rosa: When a complicated pregnancy comes along, how does your approach differ for the pregnant parent versus the supporting partner? For example, I had HG, and it was extremely difficult. I also have ankylosing spondylitis, which I didn't even know about until after I gave birth. I've never met anyone with hyperemesis gravidarum before, and no one in my family talks about it. How would you approach someone going through something like that- where they feel like they have no control over their body?

Tiffany: I usually start by understanding what symptoms are coming up. For example, what was coming up for you in those moments?

Rosa: Constant vomiting. It didn't stop. I had nosebleeds, was extremely iron deficient, and needed iron infusions twice a week for a month. It was intense. At that point, I was going through so much physicially, and my partner had no idea how to handle it. One day I was fully able-bodied, and the next I wasn't. I became completely dependent on him. So when someone comes in with something that feels very unique, and their partner is also experiencing it secondhand, how do you approach each person?

Tiffany: In those situations, I focus heavily on the care team. With your permission, I would connect with your primary doctor, your OB-GYN, and anyone involved in your medical care. If there are medications involved, or a caseworker or social worker, I coordinate with them to stay informed about what's happening.

Rosa: You really work with the entire care team?

Tiffany: Yes, that's very important. With the partner, again with permission, I would invite them into sessions. I focus on educating them about the conditions- what it is, how it impacts you, and how they can support you while also taking care of themselves.

Baby is Born with Health Challenges & Medical Decisions

Rosa: What about when the baby is born and has serious health issues? Life-threatening conditions like heart defects.

Tiffany: That does happen. In those moments, I don't try to change how the parent feels. If they say they feel heartbroken, I don't respond with something like, "At least the baby is here." That's not helpful. Instead, I sit with them in that feeling. We process it, talk through it, and hold that space for them. I also prioritize seeing my portpartum clients as soon as possible after they leave the hospital- usually within the first week. That way, we can check in on both the parent and the baby and begin working through what's happening.

Rosa: When I was going through HG, I had to take anti-nausea medication. I remember thinking, I either take this or I die. Even if there's a risk, like a cleft palate, it still means a healthy baby who can be here. How do you work with parents who blame themselves for something that happened to their baby?

Tiffany: It depends. I don't try to change their mind or convince them of something they don't believe. Instead, I sit with them and work through it. We explore what happened. In your case, it was a decision between something severe happening to you or possible outcome for the baby. That's an incredibly difficult position. If a client is making a medical decision, it's not my role to tell them what to do. My role is to support them through the process. If something does happen, we process it. We talk through it. If there are physical or emotional responses, we work through those as well. Sometimes I use EMDR, which is a trauma-focused therapy, because talking alone isn't always enough. Sometimes People just need space to say, "I feel really sad about this," without being told it's okay.

Anxiety & Waiting for Answers

Rosa: When dealing with medical issues, there's so much waiting: appointments, specialists, uncertainty. How do you help parents manage that, especially when it involves their child?

Tiffany: It depends on what's happening. If a client feels like they're not getting answers from doctors, we work on advocacy: how to ask questions, how to speak up, how to prepare for appointments. We'll even practice conversations. I might role-play as the doctor so they can rehearse what they want to say.

Rosa: So you actually role-play that?

Tiffany: Yes, we practice those interactions. If they already have answers but still waiting on results, I assess the anxiety. Is it something they don't want to feel, or is it a natural response to what's happening? There's a difference between feeling anxious without understanding why and feeling anxious because something is happening.

Rosa: So, you're saying anxiety can be a tool: you just have to know how to use it.

Tiffany: Yes, but there are different types. It can be situational, or it can be something deeper.

Finding a Qualified Perinatal Therapist

Rosa: I have a few more questions. What should someone look for when searching for a therapist who truly understands perinatal mental health and pregnancy complications?

Tiffany: I'm a perinatal mental health certified clinician. That requires a lot of training, financial investment, and passing an exam. There's also an organization called Postpartum Support International (PSI). They have a directory where you can find therapists who have training, experience, or certification in postpartum mental health. I also recommend finding a therapist with that background. If they're not listed, or it's not covered by your insurance, ask questions, Ask about their training and experience working with parents during pregnancy or postpartum. And if it doesn't sound right, it probably isn't.

Rosa: If someone feels unsure about therapy but knows they're not okay, what's a good first step that feels manageable?

Tiffany: A good first step is reconnecting with something that brings them joy. It might be something they haven't done in a while- like painting, listening to music, writing. It could also be something more active, like boxing, working out, or going for a run. The goal is to reconnect with something that creates a spark, and then find a way to fit that into their life as a parent.

Rosa: How does insurance typically work for therapy? And what options are there someone doesn't have insurance or can't afford standard rates?

Tiffany: Insurance depends on the practice and the specific plan, but most plans do cover pregnancy and postpartum care. If someone doesn't have insurance, they can ask about self-pay options. They may also qualify for Medicaid or Medicare during pregnancy, even if they didn't have coverage before. Pregnancy is considered a qualifying condition, so the goal is to make sure both the parent and baby are covered.

Practice Information & Access to Care

Rosa: Now I have a few more questions about you. Where are you located?

Tiffany: I'm located in Easton.

Rosa: Do you offer in-person, virtual, or hybrid sessions?

Tiffany: We offer hybrid sessions.

Rosa: What's the best way for people to contact you?

Tiffany: The website is the best option.

Rosa: What should someone expect after reaching out?

Tiffany: Our office manager, Nayra, will follow up with a call and an email. She'll ask questions about insurance and whether self-pay is an option if needed. If we are a good fit, we'll match them with a therapist at the practice.

Rosa: If you're fully booked or not the right fit, do you have a referral process?

Tiffany: Yes! I don't believe in waitlists. I don't think people should have to wait for therapy. If someone really wants to be on a waitlist, I can do that, but I always provide referrals to other therapists who are trained and experienced in this work. I also give resources to help them find the right fit. What they choose to do with that is up to them, but I won't hold onto someone just to keep them.

Closing Thoughts

Rosa: Thank you so much! This has been such a great experience.

Tiffany: Thank you.

Rosa: I really hope this brings awareness, because this isn't something people talk about enough. That's why I wanted to reach out to you and others who responded. This kind of resource is so needed, and it's not something people easily find. Even through their OB-GYN. So, thank you for being part of this project.

Tiffany: Thank you!

Supporting The Cozy Corner Counseling Means Supporting Parents

As one of the first features of Season Two, supporting The Cozy Corner Counseling means supporting parents through one of the most transformative stages of their lives: pregnancy, postpartum, and everything in between.

This season begins with a focus on resources that are often overlooked, but deeply needed. And this is just the beginning, Season Two will continue to highlight professionals and spaces that are truly making a difference in our community.

Resources Given by Tiffany:

Therapist Directories:
1. Psychology Today: www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
2. Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/
Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C):
1. www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/
Directory & Support Resources:
1. Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net
Local Health Systems:
1. St.Luke's University Health Network: www.slhn.org
2. Lehigh Valley Health Network: www.lvhn.org
Support Groups:
1. "Mommy & Me" style groups (hospitals or PSI): www.postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/
Payments & Coverage Options:
1. Medicaid information: www.medicaid.gov
2. Medicare information: www.medicare.gov