Meet Crystal Johnson | Psychotherapist, Author, & Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My first business was as a childcare provider and my initial thought was “how can I get out of teaching full time, have flexibility and independence, while also continue to use my strengths of nurturing, mentoring, and teaching kids.” So I decided to become a nanny. I built relationships with families that I am still close with today and it was my first experience in a healthy working environment. From this experience I knew that I needed this type of flexibility in my future jobs. While I loved my work as a nanny I knew I wanted to learn more and earn more and mental health has always been a passion of mine, so I went back to school in 2018 to become a mental health counselor.

I’m currently at a group therapy practice which means that it is a shared business and we split costs for office expenses and software, yet we are responsible for managing and maintaining our own clients, documentation, some billing etc. My thought process in joining a group practice was knowing I wanted to continue to have autonomy as well as have the perks of being a part of a team. I love having the freedom to set my own hours, rates, and limits on what I can and can not provide as a service. I continue to learn how to trust myself and my expertise everyday.

I deeply value autonomy and it is what motivates me to show up as my authentic self and empower others to do the same.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am currently a psychotherapist at Atlanta Counseling Center in Dunwoody. In short, after graduating from Spelman College, I joined Teach for America, taught at KIPP WAYS Academy, and worked as a high profile nanny before becoming a mental health therapist. My curiosity and desire test out my strengths in different environments led me to try each of those roles. I am proud of each of those experiences because they helped shape who I am as a therapist and counselor. From supporting students through traumatic experiences to traveling with wealthy families on vacation, I have learned that being my authentic self no matter where I am is the most fulfilling feeling. Easy is the last word I would use to describe my life. I would be surprised if anyone said their path was easy! Right now I am definitely experiencing more “flow” and contentment in my current role, but it is far from easy.

Overcoming challenges is always connected to my “Why”. Why I am here, why I am important, and why what I do matters. I care about people and the feelings and challenges they are going through, but don’t know how to express. As with most therapists, my own life experiences, traumas, losses, and hardships led me to want to support others and let them know they are not alone, even when it feels like the weight of the world is on their shoulders. I put my heart into my work and who I am in the therapy room is very similar to who I am outside of the office. My days do not always feel rewarding, but as a therapist I release control and remember that I am walking with people, not walking for them. During the days that I want to give up, I remind myself that I need a break and to recharge, then I will remember that the feeling is temporary. One lesson I have learned is that sometimes I need to take a break for a few hours, other times a few days, and if it takes months that’s okay! But no hardship will last forever.

I want the world to know that life is more than working a job that you don’t enjoy. Don’t be stuck living a life that is not fulfilling or inspiring. Even though I was miserable in the education system, I considered becoming a career teacher because it felt secure. I was not happy and thought that this feeling was part of “adulting” and I needed to get over it. Fast forward to today, I have learned to let go of societal expectations, feel fulfilled and free in my career, and work in a supportive and loving environment where we treat each other with compassion in and out of the office. It is that same care and compassion that I show myself and my colleagues, that I give to my clients. That’s the story! I spent years learning how to effectively love myself and surround myself with people who do the same. Now I show loving kindness to others for a living through providing corrective experiences and coping skills in therapy.

(Okay therapy is a little more complicated than that, but you get the gist!)

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So, most of my close friends graduated from Spelman College and already know how to have the best time ever! But if I was showing a tourist around, I would first take them to Cami Cakes to stock up on cupcakes for the week, then get dressed and head to dinner at Chop’s in Buckhead, and lastly end night at The Regent Cocktail Club or St. Regis.

The next day I would stop by Velvet Taco, swing to Kilwin’s for a scoop of blueberry waffle cone ice cream and spend some time showing them around the AUC (Atlanta University Center) reminiscing about the good ole college days.

During the remainder of the trip I would show them some staples like the High Museum and Atlanta Botanical Gardens, while also taking in some nature and go tubing aka “shoot the hooch” and hike to the Bamboo forest. Lastly I would make sure to hit up Kat’s Cafe for open mic on Thursday’s and turn up one time at Traffik for brunch!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Whew, my village is wide so I don’t want to attempt to name everyone! The first person that comes to mind is Dontea’ Mitchell-Hunter, self-worth therapist, owner of Soirees in Therapy llc, and host of Detox Therapy Podcast. She is a confidant, mentor, and friend who nominated me for this shout out! I would also like to dedicate it to two of my departed friends Courtney Hambrick and Paige Dennis who in their short time on earth, inspired me to be authentic and vulnerable. I also appreciate the love and support of my family and Spelman sisters.

Website: crystallovestherapy.com

Instagram: @therapywithcrystal

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-johnson-l-a-p-c-ncc-18961598

Other: https://atlantacounselingcenter.org/crystal-johnson/

Image Credits
Gab Kutsar