• Phone: (213) 537-5077
  • ncastle@healingmindsmentalhealthcoaching.com
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About Me

About Me

I was a curious child.  Often described as gifted and artistic, I was also labeled hyperactive and disruptive when I began to get into trouble in the classroom at an early age.  To combat this my parents put me into sports and a private school with smaller classrooms. Despite the changes in my environment, I continued to struggle.   At times I had endless energy, playing on several sports teams at the same time with minimal sleep.  Adversely, when that energy ran out, I would crash and often become physically ill.  By the time I went off to college I was experiencing full-fledged manic and depressive cycles and my first thoughts of suicide.  The transition from high school to college, along with the pressures of playing PAC 12 basketball were too much for me to manage.  My parents did everything they could to help, but they, like the many doctors I saw, couldn’t solve my troubles.
For the next 20 years I visited more doctors than I can count.  It was only after my second failed suicide attempt that I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and was introduced to a team of professionals that helped me fix myself.  Thus began my journey to becoming a mental health coach. Frustrated with traditional talk therapy, I thrived in a goal-oriented process that focused on cognitive behavioral therapy.  Now, after nearly a decade in remission I look to help others navigate through life’s challenges.

As a graduate from the Jay Shetty Certification School, I am accredited with the Association of Coaching, TRACCERT, and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.  I am also a certified life coach through The Academy of Modern Applied Psychology and Peer-to-Peer Counselor for the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI).

Now, as a mother, it is my goal to apply my education and years of experience in the mental health community to help parents equip themselves with the tools to advocate for their child and help them navigate the obstacles that pop up throughout life. Not every situation is a clinical mental illness.  Mental health is also about situation or circumstantial matters. It is important we recognize the difference and maneuver accordingly.  Through coaching we can better understand and even predict the obstacles you are facing and how you can utilize your personalized tool kit that can act as a lifesaving resource.

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Certifications & Accreditations

NAMI

Association for Coaching

TRACCERT

EMCC

Jay Shetty Certification School

Academy of Modern Applied Psychology

2024 Honored Listee
Marquis Who's Who

For Better Welness & Hope
Lifelong Learning

University of Wisconsin track star Sarah Shulze dead at 21

The University of Wisconsin campus is mourning the death of a beloved track and cross country star. Sarah Shulze, 21, died by suicide on April 13, her family announced. “Balancing athletics, academics and the demands of every day life overwhelmed her in a single, desperate moment,” Shulze’s family said. “Like you, we are shocked and grief stricken […]
  • Posted:April 29, 2022

Stigma Surrounding Mental Health in College Athletics

Katie Meyer stands in goal for Stanford University’s women’s soccer team. Editor’s Note: This article mentions suicide and depression.  In an article to the Players Tribune in 2018 about battling his depression and anxiety, Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love wrote, “It’s not some magical process. It’s terrifying and awkward and hard, at least in my experience so far. I […]
  • Posted:April 29, 2022
For Better Welness & Hope
Client’s Saying
Thank you, Niki!

I felt bottled up in my mind and focus and working with Niki unlocked so many ideas and concepts for me to move forward. Her wisdom, poise and detail were exactly what my mind and soul needed to build the life for my family I so desired.

THANK YOU AGAIN Niki, my life will never be the same.

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AnthonyNew York, USA
I felt as though you were very attentive, personable, and focused, which made me feel incredibly safe and comfortable talking to you. The sessions went by too quickly, honestly! Haha! I think the only thing I’d suggest due to how I am as a person is to check-in occasionally to make sure the client is on track with their big goal. I, personally, can get very unfocused easily and tend to dismiss my goal if I am not monitored closely. I don’t think everyone is like this, though. But you were so wonderful to work with and I got A LOT from our sessions together.

I really enjoyed your character! I found myself very eager to hop on a call with you and it really is because of how much you connected with me and were open about the fact that you enjoyed working with me. You were very motivating. Thank you so much.

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Mason DeWeeseNew York, USA
Niki has upbeat and authentic energy! She immediately put me at ease, and I found myself opening up and digging into challenges that were keeping me from doing what I knew I wanted to do.  After a few sessions, I started moving forward.

Thanks, Niki – loved our time together!

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Michele PadgettNew York, USA