About Me
Hi! My name is Crystal Cruz,
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who is nationally certified, EMDR trained, and Gottman Level-1 trained. I was born and raised in South Florida; I obtained my Bachelor’s in Family Youth Community Sciences with a minor in Spanish at the University of Florida. I graduated with my Masters in Mental Health Counselor Education from Florida Atlantic University in 2020.
I have been interning in the field of mental health and substance abuse since 2018 and have worked in these fields since 2020 with individuals, couples, and families. I have also worked as a social worker in nonprofits and school settings for children, adolescents, and families since 2017. I offer trauma-focused, EMDR, CBT, Gottman, DBT, and other therapy methods. I want to help connect the dots, I want to assist you in understanding the mental, emotional, and physical connections you make subconsciously. Those negative core beliefs, repetitive patterns, and family system functions can be hard to break and it is okay to ask for help navigating through all of it.
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My Philosophy
I offer a compassionate and safe space for individuals and couples to explore current and past emotional triggers and decrease negative or racing thoughts. I am here to help you live life, not just deal with it. Many of us at the core want to feel safe, connected, healthy, peaceful, self-sufficient, and balanced. I help clients connect back to themselves and those around them in a holistic and clinical approach. Connect & Care Counseling LLC was developed in 2022 and the name signifies how I want you to experience your time in therapy.
Therapy is not always easy or comfortable, but understanding the mental and emotional connections with self and learning to cope or change should be done with care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect?
Therapy is not a quick and easy fix, however I work to individualize your therapy experience as well as navigate carefully through all the confusing and tough situations. After your initial phone consultation and before your first session, forms and consents will be emailed out to be signed and filled out prior to starting your therapy. Majority of what your first session may entail is history gathering, discussion of presenting issues as well as your personal goals and objectives. The therapeutic relationship and rapport are a significant part of your time in therapy, this is also fostered and built over time throughout your sessions. Please schedule an initial phone consultation so we can discuss more!
How much does therapy cost?
Standard individual sessions cost $130 per 50-60-minute in person or online session. Currently I am accepting United Health care,Cigna, and some other insurance plans for standard individual sessions. Payments can be made through card, cash, check, Venmo, and Zelle. For insurance plans you may want to use but I do not take, I can still provide you with an invoice (Superbill) that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. I also offer 90-minute sessions, couples’ sessions and EMDR sessions which prices vary slightly from $135-185 which can be further discussed in initial consultation.
What is EMDR?
I have been fully trained in EMDR since 2020, EMDR which stands for eye-movement desensitization reprocessing, is a form of therapy that is used specifically to treat trauma as well as challenge negative core beliefs and alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression associated. The bilateral stimulation is used in the form of eye-movements or therapeutic tappers that you hold in your hands. Further exploration of the individual necessity, protocol and potential benefits can be discussed in session.
What is Gottman Therapy?
I have been trained (Level 1) in the Gottman Method. The Gottman Method is a heavily researched based treatment that serves all couples, at any age and stage of a relationship from decades of studies conducted by Dr. John and Julie Gottman. The method can be applied to many relationship problems but may be particularly useful for couples who are in toxic communication styles, stagnant, difficulty working through new stressors and transitions, coping with infidelity, etc. Couples will begin treatment with an overview and assessment process and then learn to implement new skills to gain further understanding of self and each other to navigate issues.
Please note *
I will do my best to get consultation calls or appointments in as soon as possible however if you are in a crisis and are a risk of harm to yourself or others, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255 or 988. If in significant distress, please call 911.
