Today we’d like to introduce you to Katy Caslav
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in a small town in southern California as an only child with my parents. I had my own experience with mental health at a young age. Through my journey in therapy and psychiatry, I knew from that point on that I wanted to help other people that are struggling with similar things. I graduated from Cal State San Marcos with a bachelors in human development and then attended Azusa pacific university for my Masters in Social Work. Throughout that time I worked in various settings such as schools, rehabs, group practices, nonprofit, and the DCFS system. I mainly worked with kids and families. I became licensed in 2021 and then decided to go out on my own and focus on individual adults at a telehealth group practice. After a couple of years of getting that experience under my belt, I decided earlier this year that I wanted to go full-time private practice. I never thought I would be a business owner/entrepreneur and be learning how to market myself, social media advertising, all the financial planning and organizing that comes with it, and being my own boss! But it has been the best transition for me as I have come to love doing my own thing and choosing to create a career that works for me, and ive never been happier!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish I could say it has been, but I’ve learned very quickly that nothing worth it comes easy! I honestly struggled with completing this career path many times throughout the years because I didn’t realize how long it all takes and the steps you have to do. Bachelor degree, then a masters program, then at least 3 years clinical experience, and passing the law ethics exam and the licensing exam. And that’s all to say if all of that happens right away! For me, I unfortunately did not get into grad school right after I graduated undergrad as I had originally planned, so I had to unintentionally take a gap year off. That was a bummer, but it did give me more time to work in the field and gather more experience to spruce up my résumé. With that, during my last year of my Post graduate job at a nonprofit gathering my clinical hours, I unfortunately did experience a health issue that did set me back a little bit, and once I was completed the 3000 hours and took my license exam, I didn’t pass first time by 1 single point. I was devastated! But I got back up refocused myself hired a private tutor and crushed the test the second time around. After that, it really felt like this huge relief that I have been working my basically entire adult life to get to this point of being where I am at as a licensed clinical social worker it’s been a rough road for sure! But so worth it where im at now.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Katy Caslav Licensed Clinical Social Worker, P.C.?
I am a professional corporation in California as a private practice therapist. I provide individual telehealth therapy to adults. I specialize in working with anxious Gen Z and millennial women. I myself am one, so it really helps me to build rapport and connect with my client due to experiencing similar things. I take a holistic, strengths- based approach and like to focus on CBT and mindfulness practices. It is so rewarding to see clients thrive, and progress made through the therapeutic experience. I would say set me apart from other therapists is that I am down to earth and real. I will be direct and honest with my clients, but of course in a compassionate kind way. I see a lot of potential in people so I do like to push a little bit so that they can recognize their own potential, and once that happens it becomes a really beautiful transformative experience. That is what keeps my passion going for this job!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was a pretty sociable, active kid. Being an only child I was and still am extremely close to my parents. I played pretty much every sport, and found my passion with gymnastics and cheerleading. That was my life! We were a competitive cheer team, so we traveled around and many competitions. However, it was such a rough sport that I did have many injuries. The worst being having to have shoulder surgery my senior year, which put me out from competing in any competitions, which was devastating for me. My parents always made sure I had friends constantly around me so that I did not feel lonely. We would go on vacations every year and they would always make sure I invited a friend with me. I loved being outgoing and being creative of having fun growing up in a small town. I had the best childhood which I am so grateful for!
Pricing:
- I am in network with Aetna and United healthcare insurance
- Otherwise, I charge $200/session
Contact Info:
