Michelle Castro has been throughout the U.S. and the world while serving in the U.S Navy.

But now, she is trying a new type of counseling service — mobile.

Last month, she opened Mobile Therapy by MC at 2497 Bethel Road SE.

“I was wanting to open a private practice and do something different,” she said. “This is a concept I came up with myself.”

Castro said she purchased a 1988 RV which she will use as a mobile office.

Initially, Castro said she will provide counseling at her office so she can develop a connection, relationship and trust with her clients.

“I need to know where the client is at and how safe things are,” Castro said. “I want to be able to take it on the road.”

She’s aiming to do counseling session outside, surrounded by nature.

“A lot of people suffer from depression — a lack of Vitamin D or sunshine,” Castro said. “I want to be able to get people from just sitting in a room and get outside and enjoy things.”

Castro said people have fears of different things and she wants to help get them exposed to them at a slow pace.

“I can’t do that just sitting in an office,” she noted. “I want to help them conquer their fears.”

Castro said she has experience dealing with adolescents to people age 53 — civilian and veterans.

“I work very well with adolescents and I also connect very well with adults,” she said. “I don’t pull punches and I try to be direct with a soft glove.”

Castro said she wants to help people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) anxiety, depression and addictions.

She also plans to incorporate art therapy into some of her session.

“It’s really helpful with people suffering from trauma or PTSD,” Castro said. “It’s a way of processing thoughts and moving it into a different part of the brain.”

After 20 years in the U.S. Navy, Castro retired and originally planned to become a school teacher. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art and social science with an emphasis in education from Ashford University — an online college.

“I wanted to be a middle school math teacher, but I learned too much about the school system,” Castro said. “Perhaps it wasn’t the ideal route for me. I love to teach and did a lot of teaching in the Navy. I just though I wasn’t going to be a good fit.”

Castro qualified for a veteran’s rehabilitation program because of her disability status.

“I couldn’t do what I did for the Navy out here without other pieces of paper, and with some physical disabilities I am not able to do some things.

After taking several tests, Castro told her counselor she would like to something with coaching or teaching.

“He asked me about being a mental health counselor and it kind of clicked with me,” she said. “I think it would be a good option.”

Castro later enrolled at from Argosy University in Seattle for her degree.

She was born in Texas, but spent most of her childhood in Wisconsin. After graduating high school, Castro moved to Atlanta, Ga., and worked in the hospitality industry. At age 24, she decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy.

While in the Navy, Castro was stationed at a variety bases, which included Pearl Harbor, Great Lakes, San Diego, Italy, Dubai and Singapore.

She attended a preventative medicine school in Oakland, Calif., then later returned there as a teacher.

Castro was a drill instructor in Great Lakes for four years.

While stationed on the USS Stennis, she decided to purchase a home in Bremerton. Castro spent her last two years in the Navy in Spain.

“I came back to my home here,” she said.

She eventually earned the rank of chief.

“Mental health counselor is basically a ‘chief’ and the way I defined a chief is someone who is taking care of their people,” Castro said.

For an appointment, call 360-979-6183 or email Castro at MobileTherapybyMC@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.mobiletherapybymc.com.