About Me
I grew up a military kid (aka Air Force Brat). My dad was a pilot and my mom was an English teacher. My brother and I often joke about being dragged all around the country when we were little, but looking back, it was a great experience and taught us a lot! We lived in 6 places before we settled in North Carolina.
I went to college right after high school and was in NO WAY ready for that kind of atmosphere, so I dropped out and went to community college (Human Services) for a bit before I married and moved away to New Jersey. My husband and I had two sons and when they were 1 and 3 we moved to the Marshall Islands (Kwajalein) for 3 years. It was there that I began to “find my true self” as they say, and along with that came a lot of ANXIETY! I had always been a kind of worried kid, but it escalated in my twenties and I had no idea what was happening to me. I began having panic attacks at the rate of about 5 a week. Of course, my marriage was falling apart and that didn’t help matters at all! I had my life all mapped out and getting divorced was not in my plan. My husband and I separated and I moved back to North Carolina with my children to be near family and start a new chapter.
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I went to therapy to address my anxiety (and all of the adjustments in my life) and am very glad I did. With that a bit more under control I went back to school and pursued my degree in Psychology. It was there I met a professor who became my dear friend and mentor. His name was Dr. Hogan, Ed to me. I connected with him immediately and his wisdom got me through many years of hardship. He was from Ireland originally and I could listen to him talk all day.
Dr. Hogan was a tough teacher, but I was up for the task. He was an expert in the field of Grief and his way of creating safety for people and meeting them just where they are in their lives has been my guiding light. He counseled me for many years as a mentor and friend– all the way through Graduate school (Social Work) and into my career. One of my favorite sayings is, “When the student is ready, the teacher will come.” I was ready for a teacher, and an older, Irish gentleman was just exactly what I needed.
During the time I was in school, I had my third son. The relationship with his father was not meant to be, but I learned a lot from it and our son is amazing! Again… not in my life plan or on my radar at all, but there I was, the single mom of 3 sons.
I went on to work for Baptist Children’s Homes, helping teenage girls in residential foster care, I counseled staff and patients in an Oncology center, and then I moved into private practice providing therapy to adults and children.
Dr. Edmond Pascal Hogan
Hogan Castrati
Why Women?
As a woman I feel that I can relate to the specific needs of women and can be a guide, mentor, supporter, and coach. I have varied life experience that is specific to what women go through and am in tune to their needs.
When you talk with me, you receive wisdom from the many wonderful women who have educated and blessed me with their stories and experiences.
Some of the women I help:
- Young women transitioning into college or leaving home
- Women in business who want someone with experience to bounce ideas off of or help them figure out dilemmas in the workplace and at home
- Stay at home moms who need extra support and an adult woman to talk to and who need parenting tips
- Caregivers in the workplace and outside the home
- First responders who need to talk about their experiences
- Women who are isolated geographically or otherwise
- Women who experience chronic illness and are navigating the medical world
- Women who have lost someone they love and are ready to make changes for themselves
Contact Me
Ask a question or book an appointment below. For emergencies call 911 or visit your nearest hospital