About Your Facilitator Salvina Castiglione
My journey to a career in therapy didn’t begin in a classroom, it began in my own life.
A Life Dedicated to Helping Others Heal
Losing my mother at a young age, navigating deep family complexities, and later experiencing profound grief, loss, and betrayal shaped not only who I am, but how I show up for others. These lived experiences, combined with over 35 years in social work across geriatrics, child welfare, and the education system, allow me to support clients from a place of both professional expertise and genuine understanding.
Backed by formal training through McMaster University, where I earned my degrees in Social Work and Sociology, I’ve dedicated my career to helping individuals and couples navigate life’s most difficult chapters. Today, I offer in-person therapy in Hamilton, Ontario, and virtual sessions across the province through my practice, The Cardinal Connection for Hope and Healing, which I founded in 2015.
I’ve seen firsthand how easily we can lose our sense of self when life gets heavy. Whether it’s grief, betrayal, or a major life transition, we often search outside ourselves for answers, when in reality, what we need is already within us. My role is to help you reconnect with that inner knowing.
Where Healing Begins with Feeling Truly Seen
Using an integrative approach that includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and somatic-based modalities, I support clients in navigating:
- Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
- Grief, Loss, and Life Transitions
- Self-Esteem and Inner Child Healing
- Starting Over After Mid-Life Betrayal
What makes my approach different is the relationship we build. Clients often tell me they feel truly seen, heard, and understood, not just listened to. I don’t sit back and simply reflect; I engage, guide, and gently challenge when needed, always grounded in compassion, honesty, and respect.
My work is deeply rooted in the belief that healing happens through connection, both with others and with ourselves. I value real, two-way therapeutic relationships where you feel safe enough to explore, question, and grow.
Creating Spaces for Growth and Healing
Outside of my practice, I am a published author of two memoirs, My Journey with Josie and Finding My Abandoned Self, which explore themes of grief, healing, and rediscovering your identity after loss. These stories reflect not only my professional work but my personal journey of rebuilding and starting over.
I also host workshops, retreats, and community-based events, including The Motherloss Retreat, Therapeutic Vision Board Workshops, Journaling Workshops, and The Mother’s Day Tea for Daughters Living Without Mothers, creating spaces where healing can extend beyond the therapy room.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: Be kind. Be honest. Treat people with respect. We aren’t above the next person; we’re all just one step away from something life changing, good or bad.
You don’t have to carry it all on your own anymore. Let’s work together to craft a new story, one rooted in strength, clarity, and self-compassion.
I'm here for you
Feel free to contact me or just drop a line here. I will reach you very soon.