Hi! I’m Crystal, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the founder of Bright Path Counseling here in Illinois. I have been working with children, teens, young adults, and their families in various capacities since 2018. I am committed to helping my clients navigate life’s challenges, utilizing my years of experience to support them through life changes, healing, and growth.

I started my career working in residential settings with teens and young adults as they developed independent living skills and transitioned out of residential care. Later, I took on a case management role working with adults with significant mental health needs in long-term residential care. After several years in case management, I returned to my passion of working with youth.

For the past four years, my professional focus has been on working with children, teens, young adults, and their families following discharge from psychiatric hospitalization. This experience has deepened my understanding and compassion for the unique challenges that today’s youth face, while providing extensive support to both the youth and their families.

My experience in residential care and post-crisis follow-up opened my eyes to the need for trauma-focused care. I have focused my continued education on specializing in trauma, earning certifications in both Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), as I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to heal from their past.

I also have expertise in supporting children with ADHD, working collaboratively with families to develop personalized strategies for emotional regulation, organization, and focus. Additionally, I help families with behavioral management, guiding them on how to best work with youth to achieve desired outcomes.

Furthermore, I specialize in working with LGBTQ+ individuals, providing a supportive and inclusive environment. I offer guidance on navigating identity, coming out, and addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

Through a client-centered approach, I blend evidence-based therapeutic practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused therapies (TF-CBT and EMDR) to create a safe and nurturing space for my clients and their families. My goal is to foster emotional resilience, strengthen family relationships, and help my client's thrive both at home and in their communities.

In therapy, I take the approach that YOU are the expert in your life, and I am here as a guide. Essentially, I’m in the passenger seat with the roadmap, while you tell me where you want to go. Eventually, you’ll drop me off, continuing your journey with all the tools and supports you’ve gathered along the way.

I look forward to connecting and assisting you on your journey in therapy!