Therapy

Working With Crystal

Crystal McCreary is a therapist working at a private practice in New York City and supports individuals, couples, and groups navigating trauma, relationship challenges, identity exploration, life transitions, grief, anxiety, and the impact of systemic and cultural stressors. Crystal brings a deeply relational, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed approach to therapy. She is especially passionate about working with clients seeking greater self-understanding, emotional resilience, authentic connection, and healing from experiences that have disrupted their sense of safety, belonging, or wholeness.

In addition to her clinical work, Crystal has spent over two decades supporting growth and wellbeing as a K–12 educator, health educator, executive coach, yoga teacher trainer, and facilitator of workshops and retreats. Crystal serves as the Upper School Counselor at a K-12 independent school, and is also professional actor and member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity Association. Across all of her work, Crystal is committed to creating spaces where people can reconnect with their strengths, feel their feelings, cultivate meaningful relationships, and move toward lives that feel more aligned, connected, and fully their own.

Therapeutic Approach
Crystal's therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens when people feel genuinely seen, supported, and empowered. Her work is informed by Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based approaches, and trauma-informed somatic practices. She helps clients strengthen emotional awareness, develop practical coping skills, process difficult experiences, and deepen connection with themselves and others. Drawing from her background in yoga, mindfulness, health education, and group facilitation, Crystal integrates mind-body awareness and nervous system regulation into her work in ways that feel accessible, compassionate, and grounded in everyday life.

Credentials & Training
CUNY-Hunter, MSEd in Mental Health Counseling, MHC-LP
The American Conservatory Theater, MFA
Stanford University, BA, African and African American Studies
Yoga Alliance, E-RYT-500 and RCYT
AEDP Level 2 (Immersion 5-Day + Essential Skills)
DBT Skills 20-hr Training
Lumia Signature Coaching Program (ICF Accredited Coach)
Social and Emotional Learning (IFSEL 25-hour Summer Institute)
Suicide Prevention Program (SOS)
Undoing Racism (People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond)
Beyond Diversity™ (Courageous Conversations)