Orlando Castro
Helping you discover the Strength within
Booking Info
Expert In
- Working with adolescent and adults in crisis and working with athletes of all sports dealing with performance anxiety
Experience
- Been speaking in all levels from Universities to schools platform
About Orlando Castro
For more than 30 years, Orlando Castro has dedicated his life to helping individuals, families, and future generations navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges. As a mental health therapist, family counselor, and Director of the Adolescent Unit at Larkin Hospital, Orlando has made it his mission to be a champion for adolescents and families affected by mental illness and substance use.
What makes Orlando’s approach unique is that his commitment is not simply professional—it is deeply personal.
Orlando’s story is one of resilience, redemption, and second chances. Raised in humble beginnings, he became the first in his family to graduate from college and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Mental Health. Throughout his career, he has focused on helping individuals struggling with substance use and supporting families whose lives have been impacted by mental health and addiction.
Orlando is also a recovering alcoholic and cancer survivor. Both experiences could have defined his life through hardship, but instead, he chose to view them as opportunities for growth, gratitude, and service.
His journey toward recovery began when colleagues and loved ones recognized that his life was spiraling out of control and intervened, ultimately helping him enter a detoxification program. Successfully completing that program transformed Orlando’s life and ignited a passion to help others understand that recovery is possible—and that a person’s past does not have to determine their future.
Then, shortly after his 43rd birthday, Orlando received the devastating diagnosis of prostate cancer. Faced with another life-changing challenge, he once again relied on his determination, strength, and positive outlook. He survived, and the experience reinforced one of the most important lessons he now shares with the young people and families he serves: life can give you another chance, and what you do with that chance matters.
Orlando believes that no one should be defined by their mistakes, their diagnosis, or the circumstances of their past. He believes in the power of hope, accountability, perseverance, and the human capacity to change.
His personal journey allows him to meet people where they are—with compassion, understanding, and authenticity. He knows what it means to struggle, to ask for help, to rebuild, and ultimately to find purpose on the other side of adversity.
Today, Orlando embraces all that life has to offer while continuing his life’s work of helping others discover their own potential. Through his work as a mental health therapist, family counselor, and Director of the Adolescent Unit at Larkin Hospital, he remains committed to empowering adolescents, adults, and families to overcome challenges, create healthier futures, and recognize that their greatest limitations are often the ones they place upon themselves. Also in this chapter working with ball age groups and parents with athletes and performance anxiety
Speaking At
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Testimonials
"I have had the privilege of working with Orlando Castro on numerous cases involving students and adults throughout the years. As I have watched him grow and serve in different capacities within the mental health field, one thing has remained constant—his dedication to his clients. Orlando brings a steady, personable presence, especially during times of crisis. He has a remarkable ability to make you feel as though your case is his only priority, despite the many responsibilities he carries. His accessibility, professionalism, and genuine commitment to helping others have made him a trusted and valued colleague throughout the years."
"Danitza Fernandez Admissions Director/Marketing Southern Winds Hospital 4225 W 20 Ave Hialeah, FL 33012 To Whom It May Concern, I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Orlando Castro, whom I have had the privilege of working alongside for many years in the mental health field. Throughout our professional relationship, I have come to know [him/her/them] as a compassionate, ethical, and highly skilled professional who consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to the individuals and families he serves. Over the years, I have witnessed his ability to build trusting therapeutic relationships with clients from diverse backgrounds while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. He approaches every situation with empathy, patience, and sound clinical judgment, even in challenging or high-pressure circumstances. One of Orlando's greatest strengths is his dedication to improving the well-being of others. He is an excellent communicator, a collaborative team member, and someone who is always willing to support colleagues while advocating for the best interests of clients. His ability to remain calm, organized, and solution-focused has earned the respect of both peers and those receiving care. In addition to his clinical expertise, Orlando is committed to lifelong learning and professional development. He consistently seeks opportunities to expand his knowledge and applies evidence-based practices to provide high-quality care. This dedication has made him an invaluable member of every team with which he has worked. On a personal level, I have always appreciated Orlando's integrity, reliability, and genuine compassion. He brings warmth, professionalism, and a positive attitude to the workplace, making him someone colleagues trust and clients feel comfortable with. I recommend Orlando without reservation. I am confident that he will be an outstanding asset to any organization and will continue to make meaningful contributions to the mental health profession. If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Danitza Fernandez 79C 5A7 ПЛАС NGS"
"Rafael Fernandez, M.D., DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC Related Medical Group, Inc. 633 N. Krome Avenue, Suite 1 Homestead, FL 33030 Phone: (305) 763-4007 Fax: (305) 847-0764 Date: July 23, 2026 RE: Professional Peer Reference for Mr. Orlando Castro To Whom It May Concern, It is my pleasure to provide this professional peer reference for Mr. Orlando Castro. I have had the privilege of knowing and working alongside Mr. Castro for approximately twenty years in various behavioral health settings, and throughout that time I have consistently found him to be an exceptional mental health professional and leader. Over the years, Mr. Castro has demonstrated outstanding clinical judgment, professionalism, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to providing high-quality behavioral healthcare. He has earned the respect of colleagues, patients, and multidisciplinary treatment teams through his compassionate approach, strong leadership skills, and dedication to evidence-based patient care. Mr. Castro currently serves as the Adolescent Director at Larkin Community Hospital, where he oversees the delivery of psychiatric services for adolescent patients. His ability to lead interdisciplinary teams, manage complex clinical situations, and advocate for patient-centered care has made him an invaluable asset to the organization. In addition to his hospital leadership role, he successfully maintains a private practice, further reflecting his clinical expertise and commitment to serving the behavioral health needs of the community. Throughout my professional relationship with Mr. Castro, I have observed him consistently demonstrate sound ethical standards, excellent communication skills, and the ability to establish therapeutic relationships with patients and families from diverse backgrounds. He is dependable, knowledgeable, and always conducts himself with the highest level of professionalism. Without reservation, I offer my strongest recommendation for Mr. Orlando Castro for any professional appointment, credentialing, leadership position, or clinical privilege for which he is being considered. I am confident that he will continue to make meaningful contributions to any organization fortunate enough to have him as part of its clinical team. Should you require any additional information regarding my professional experience with Mr. Castro, please do not hesitate to contact me, Sincerely, Rafael Fernandez, M.D., DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC"
"Testimonial on Orlando Castro "Working with Orlando Castro was one of the best decisions I made as a professional baseball player. I always focused on the physical side of the game, but learning how to manage pressure, build confidence, and stay present completely changed the way I competed. I became more consistent, handled adversity much better, and learned tools that helped me both on and off the field. The sessions gave me a mental edge without changing who I was as a player. Looking back, working with Orlando, had a huge impact on my performance, leadership, and overall pro career. Juan Alvarez former MLB Pitcher Aa"