Welcome to Highly Sensitive Money! In our latest episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Haylie Castillo, a remarkable individual who has combined her passion for finance and therapy into a unique career as a financial therapist. This blog post will take you through the highlights of our conversation, exploring Haylie’s journey, her approach to financial therapy, and her mission to liberate money from systems of oppression.
LINK TO YOUTUBE
Meeting a Kindred Spirit
I first met Haylie Castillo at the 2023 Financial Content Creator Conference (aka FinCon) in New Orleans during a social justice event. Our conversation revealed a shared passion for integrating therapeutic practices and financial education. While I started on the financial route and integrated therapeutic practices, Haylie began as a therapist and moved into finance.
A Storied Childhood and Financial Background
Haylie’s journey into financial therapy is deeply rooted in her childhood experiences. Growing up in the rural South in a conservative, religious, and patriarchal environment, she navigated a complex relationship with money. This background informed her perspective on finances and inspired her to help others reclaim their financial agency. Haylie shared:
“I was raised in a very strict, high-control religious environment. My entire life was flavored by patriarchy, impacting all aspects, including my relationship with money.”
Haylie was exposed to basic financial education but lacked the independence to manage money fully:
“The end goal was to find a husband who would provide for the family. I didn’t even have a driver’s license until I was 23.”
This upbringing led her on a path to reclaim agency over money and success, a theme central to her work today.
Discovering Financial Therapy
Haylie’s path to becoming a financial therapist was shaped by various professional experiences and a significant personal journey. After working in finance and dealing with a mental health crisis, she sought therapy for the first time and began her healing journey. During this time, she realized the potential of integrating personal finance with emotional and psychological healing. “I literally sat down and Googled ‘Is financial therapy a thing?’ And found out that it was a new, emerging field.” Haylie reverse-engineered her path, went back to grad school to get her therapy license, and embarked on her mission as a financial therapist.
The Intersection of Money, Trauma, and Social Justice
A significant part of Haylie’s work involves addressing the broader systemic issues that affect our relationship with money. She adopts a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens, understanding how various systems of oppression impact financial behaviors and beliefs.
Haylie shared:
“As a financial therapist, we talk about capitalism, racism, patriarchy, and all systems of oppression and how they affect your relationship with money.”
This approach ensures that her clients not only manage their finances better but also heal from the trauma inflicted by oppressive systems.
The Role of Community and Ritual
Haylie emphasizes the importance of community and ritual in sustaining financial well-being. She encourages her clients to create safe spaces where they can discuss money openly, breaking the taboo and secrecy that contribute to financial shame.
“Find one friend and bring up the topic of money. Let it be awkward, but just share and practice without judgment. This will help build a healthy relationship with money.”
Rituals also play a crucial role in how we relate to money. From lighting a candle during financial reviews to creating meaningful rituals around spending and saving, these practices can help reshape our financial narratives.
Highly Sensitive People and Financial Therapy
As a highly sensitive person (HSP) herself, Haylie brings a unique perspective to financial therapy. She understands the deep emotional and sensory experiences of HSPs and tailors her approach to meet their specific needs.
“Being highly sensitive is a gift. It allows for greater intuition and empathy, which are essential in creating a safe, therapeutic space for clients.”
A Commitment to Liberation
Haylie Castillo’s story is one of resilience, passion, and commitment to liberating financial practices from oppressive systems. Her work as a financial therapist is not just about managing money but about healing, reclaiming agency, and creating a just and equitable financial landscape.
As we concluded our conversation, Haylie shared her future intentions, which include rooting, deepening, and cultivating her practice, further integrating her values into her work, and continuing her mission to disrupt default beliefs around money and success.
It was an honor to have Haylie on Highly Sensitive Money. Her insights and experiences are invaluable for anyone looking to heal their relationship with money and embrace a more liberatory approach to financial wellness. Here’s to a future where money is a tool for joy, creativity, and community, free from the constraints of oppressive systems.
Resources:
Haylie’s website
Haylie’s Instagram
Haylie’s Facebook
Haylie’s LinkedIn
The Trauma of Money
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allthecolors.net for the Money Archetypes Quiz