Today we’d like to introduce you to Crissy Himelstein.
Hi Crissy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey as a therapist began in 2003, right after graduating from my Masters program. Nearly a decade later, in August 2012, I took a leap and opened Sunshine Child & Family Counseling. What started as a one-person practice has blossomed into a thriving group practice, where we not only provide compassionate care for children and families but also nurture the next generation of therapists. Today, I’m proud that our practice supports clinicians pursuing their play therapy credentials, helping them grow alongside us as we continue to make a difference in the lives of the families we serve.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey of building Sunshine Child & Family Counseling wasn’t just about being a therapist it was about learning how to run a business, something no one teaches you in graduate school. In the beginning, I had to navigate the complexities of insurance credentialing, billing, and managing the financial side of the practice all while providing high-quality care to families.
Hiring the right team was another steep learning curve. Supporting clinicians, helping them grow professionally, and creating a workplace culture where both staff and clients feel supported became a whole new set of responsibilities. Balancing these business challenges with clinical work wasn’t always easy, and there were moments of doubt and trial-and-error.
Looking back, these early challenges were invaluable. They taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of building a strong foundation not just for the practice, but for the families and clinicians who rely on it. What started as a solo endeavor has grown into a thriving group practice that not only serves children and families but also supports other clinicians as they pursue their play therapy credentials.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a specialty practice for children and families. We are known for compassionate care and play therapy! All of our clinicians have a passion to work with children and continually pursue supervision and continuing education credits to provide the best care. We have been consistent providers in our community for 14 years and continue to thrive. What we’re most proud of is the community we’ve built both for the families we serve and the clinicians we support. Watching children and families grow, heal, and thrive is incredibly rewarding, but equally meaningful is seeing the clinicians we mentor gain confidence, skills, and credentials as play therapists.
Sunshine Child & Family Counseling has grown from a solo practice into a thriving group practice built on collaboration, strong clinical standards, and intentional leadership. Expanding our team has allowed us to serve more children and families while also creating opportunities for clinicians to grow professionally within a supportive environment. Each stage of growth from building our team to expanding services reflects our commitment to meeting the increasing mental health needs of our community.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
For me, mentorship and networking developed organically through supervision relationships, professional conferences, and the clinicians I’ve hired, trained, and supported throughout the growth of my practice. I’ve found that investing in others through mentorship, consultation, and shared professional experiences naturally builds strong networks grounded in trust and collaboration. Over time, these professional relationships have created meaningful opportunities and connections that have supported both my personal growth and the continued expansion of the practice.
Pricing:
- We have an intern that is at a reduced rate of $75
- We are credentialed with Aetna and BCBS
- Our self pay pricing depends upon the clinician
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sunshinechildcounseling.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crissy-himelstein-ma-lpc-cpcs-rpt-s-21109211/
