In this episode of Impact Unfiltered, we sit down with Monique Castro, a citizen of the Navajo Nation and Chicana, as well as the CEO and founder of Indigenous Circle of Wellness. Raised in Los Angeles on Tongva lands, Monique shares her journey from community mental health to creating her own therapy practice that truly reflects her values and cultural identity. The conversation explores how Indigenous Circle of Wellness impacts communities through authentic, culturally centered mental health services, workshops, and an innovative Tribal Indigenous Employee Assistance Program (EAP) launching soon. Monique offers insight into leadership, personal growth, and the power of staying aligned with your core values to create meaningful, sustainable change. Whether you're a leader in healthcare, business, or community work, this is an inspiring episode about vision, impact, and wellness from the inside out.
1. Introduction & Guest Background
- Monique’s cultural heritage: Citizen of the Navajo Nation and Chicana, born in Los Angeles, with family roots in Arizona and New Mexico.
- Overview of professional roles:
- CEO and Founder of Indigenous Circle of Wellness (ICW), a psychotherapy practice in California.
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
- Certified Professional Coach, particularly working with executive leaders on sustainable leadership and wellness.
2. Journey to Founding Indigenous Circle of Wellness
- Challenges in finding suitable private practices; led to creation of own practice.
- Vision to serve the community and work collaboratively with a team rather than solo practice.
- Growth of the organization:
- Expansion to a team of 10 professionals including therapists, support staff, and contractors.
3. Conceptualizing and Measuring “Impact”
- Monique’s perspective: Impact as the ripple effect within communities and the reach of services.
- ICW’s commitment to community, team-building, and generational thriving.
- Use of teletherapy to broaden geographical reach initially in California with plans for national expansion.
4. Organizational Mission, Vision, and Alignment
- Importance of core value alignment for team cohesion and community impact.
- Transparency with both staff and clients regarding mission and values.
- Encouraging staff to identify personal values and connect them to the organization’s overarching goal of “thriving futures.”
- Emphasis on sustainability, prevention, and continuous support in mental health.
5. Innovation in Health Systems and Service Delivery
- The uniqueness of ICW as a Native-owned and operated private practice, staying authentic to cultural roots rather than adhering strictly to Western psychology norms.
- Creation of a supportive work environment that allows therapists to show up fully and authentically.
- Broader scope of services beyond psychotherapy, including:
- Workshops
- Presentations
- Consulting services
6. Expanding Community Impact
- Strategic partnerships and collaborative work with organizations, tribes, and leaders nationwide.
- Using “one-to-many” services (such as workshops and training) to amplify impact.
- Example: Monique conducting workshops and presentations at conferences.
7. Upcoming Innovations: Tribal Indigenous EAP Program
- Introduction to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and the lack of culturally appropriate models for Indigenous and Native communities.
- ICW’s pilot of a culturally relevant Tribal Indigenous EAP, with services including:
- Therapy
- Wellness coaching
- Professional development
- Workshops and trainings
- Wellness circles
- Positive results from pilot and plans for full launch in 2026, starting in California and scaling nationally.
8. Leadership, Legacy, and Advice for Young Leaders
- Reflection on Monique’s journey as a first-generation college student and her advice to her younger self (and emerging leaders):
- Confidence that success will exceed expectations.
- Emphasis on the significance of community impact.
- Encouragement to pursue dreams even beyond what seems imaginable.
9. Ways to Connect with ICW
- ICW’s website and social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok).
- How to contact via email: info@icowellness.com
- Trademarked identity and ease of finding them online.
10. Closing Thoughts
- Encouragement for listeners to persist in their impactful work, despite challenges.
- Emphasis on self-care for leaders and ripple effect on community wellness.
