Vanessa Castle (she/her), DHSc, MSW, is an Assistant Clinical Professor and Field Coordinator in the Master of Social Work program at the University of the Pacific. Throughout her career in healthcare, Dr. Castle has worked with individuals, children, and families experiencing mental health crises, providing crisis intervention, behavioral health services, and individual therapy to support their mental health and overall well-being. Her clinical and academic interests include LGBTQIA+ affirming care, culturally competent care for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, trauma-informed care, integrated behavioral health, crisis intervention, diabetes management, and addressing the psychosocial factors and social determinants of health that influence health outcomes. Her research has focused on understanding how healthcare providers can deliver more culturally competent, gender-affirming care for LGBTQIA+ individuals and improve the quality of care for gender-diverse communities. 

Dr. Castle is passionate about preparing the next generation of social workers through field education, mentorship, and experiential learning. She is dedicated to advancing affirming and inclusive social work education while fostering learning environments where LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and communities feel respected, supported, and safe. 

Outside of work, Dr. Castle enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and visiting the beach. 

Education

Dr. Castle received both her Master of Social Work and Doctor of Health Sciences degrees from the University of the Pacific.