Crystal Barrera

Crystal completed her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work at St. Thomas/St. Catherine, with a focus on trauma, integrative psychotherapy, and children. She has worked with children and their families since 2011 in a variety of settings, including an inner city school. Crystal has a passion for working with children, especially those who have experienced trauma. She also enjoys helping children with aggressive behavior or dissociative symptoms. 

 

Crystal utilizes Child-Centered Play Therapy, which is an evidence-based, developmentally appropriate intervention that allows children to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through play. The therapist provides a non-judgmental, empathetic space, helping the child process emotions and develop coping skills at their own pace. Crystal is a Professional Member of the Association for Play Therapy.

 

Outside of the office, Crystal enjoys playing with her own children, being outside, and doing crafts like cross-stitch and crochet. She also has a mild obsession with Bluey, and knows entirely too much about a fictional cartoon dog.

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Crystal's areas of interest include:

• Abuse

• Aggressive behavior

• Dissociative disorders

• Non-suicidal self-injury

• PTSD and trauma

• Sexual trauma

• Suicidal ideation