Claudia C. Castillo is a Cuban-American author and life coach. She writes non-fiction on grief, healing, and parenting. She is best known for her book Symphony of the Soul (2024).
Castillo founded Chateo del Corazón, a movement supporting parents. The movement shares tools for compassion and emotional connection. Castillo has been married for forty years and lives in Miami, Florida.
Castillo is the mother of three sons. Her firstborn son, Alvaro Luis, struggled with addiction. She searched widely for ways to help him heal. Her search took her from Nepal to Patagonia.
Castillo later lost her son to addiction. She has described the loss as a defining turning point. She said healing required full presence and deep self-connection. She called this inner journey "just 18 inches."
Castillo trained as a certified mindful facilitator afterward. She also became a Restorative Life Coach. She has volunteered extensively within Miami's jail system. There she supports inmates through mindfulness and guided reflection.
In 2024, Castillo published Symphony of the Soul: 8 Tools for Finding Joy After Loss. The book details eight tools she developed following her son's death. These include grounding, visualisation, and art therapy. Each chapter focuses on one specific healing practice.
The book blends personal memoir with practical guidance. Castillo shares memories of her son throughout the text. She also incorporates spiritual messages she attributes to him. Reviewers praised the book's honesty and accessible structure.
Photo credit: IG @chateodelcorazon
