Crystal Crim grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Minor High School, attended University of Montevallo where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in social sciences (2011) and her Master of Education degree in Counseling and Guidance with a focus on Clinical Mental Health (2014). Crystal is now working on her Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision through Walden University.
After receiving her master’s degree, Crystal worked for Family Sunshine Center as a CARES Children’s Therapist where she trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and focused on assisting and supporting children and adolescents, and their families, as they process the effects of trauma and abuse. Crystal worked primarily with children ages 4 to 15 in this role, with a specific focus on helping boys who are dealing with the effects of childhood sexual abuse. From there, Crystal worked at Bradford Health Services where she served as Counselor II for teens and adults dealing with substance use disorders. In this role, Crystal provided psychoeducation and counseling services to individuals, groups, and families.
Crystal has spent most of her career working for the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A) as their Director of Operations and Strategy as well as seeing a few counseling clients. Her work with M4A shaped her as a person as it allowed her to develop an understanding and empathy for the issues and needs of individuals in the State of Alabama, specifically those affecting adults over fifty-five, those with disabilities, and their caregivers.
Crystal practices Person Centered Therapy as her primary therapeutic approach, which she calls her “fruit bowl.” This is the approach she uses with all clients as it offers each person unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness. Depending on each client she works with, Crystal will utilize different techniques and tools to support them on their journey. These techniques and tools are the “fruit” within the bowl. Techniques and tools include Reality Therapy, TF-CBT, trauma narrative, and artistic expression, to name a few. Crystal sees individuals ages five and up for following issues and needs:
- Trauma processing using Trauma-Focused CBT for children, adolescents, and teens (up to age 16) who have experienced any form of primary or secondary abuse or trauma, including physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and mental abuse
- Developing healthy communication and boundaries
- Emotional assessment, regulation, and expression
- Relationship and family stressors and stress management
