Crystal is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC), an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS).
She is the Associate Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Crystal
graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s in psychology, sociology, and
a minor in behavioral pharmacology. She worked in large systems, government organizations
and served families and communities who experienced chronic social justice challenges
prior to completing a Masters in Psychological Counseling from Monmouth University
and a Post-master’s in Professional Counseling and Family Therapy at Seton Hall University.
Crystal’s work within large systems led her to pursue training as a relational systems
therapist and human systems thought leader. Her previous work includes working for
the Department of Veterans Affairs supporting veterans, active-duty service members
and their families with wellness, readjustment, career support and finding meaning
beyond service time. Crystal has worked in various settings to include grass roots
organizations, child protective services, substance abuse, hospitals, managed care,
K-12, private practice, providing trauma informed- care, sexual assault, and higher
education where she currently teaches in graduate mental health and counselor education
programs.
Crystal is enthusiastic about supporting individuals in finding meaning, purpose,
service and identifying and building resources to develop their communities. She utilizes
systems approaches, social determinants of health, consideration of broader societal
issues and barriersthat impact student learning, their sense of belonging and acceptance
of self and within their communities. Crystal integrates knowledge and passion of
cultural humility, Internal Family Systems, CBT, existential and person-centered approaches,
Yoga, resilience-based models, spirituality, advocacy, social justice, ability to
heal, movement and honors the unique worldview and experiences of students, their
peers, families, and communities. Crystal can relate to the student experience as
she is actively completing a doctorate degree in counselor education where she hopes
to impact systemic change, equitable access to quality mental health resources and
integration of mental health first aid to sustain communities. She is trained in mental
health first aid and engaged in the process of becoming a mental health first aid
instructor. Fitness, health, spirituality, and emotional health are at the cornerstone
of her approach to supporting whole health. Crystal is a certified yoga instructor
and meditation teacher and believes movement and silence are vital elements in supporting
wellbeing, healing, and recovery. She seeks to support systemic change to improve
student learning, remove barriers to equitable care and provide leadership to a growing
community of emerging student leaders.
