Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal McDowell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have a heart of service and I really enjoy helping others just figure things out. I’ve been on this journey and came into this field by following my heart and trusting myself. I knew after graduating with a Business Degree in Marketing I was not built for “Corporate America.” I just care too much. I worked a number of odd jobs in between undergraduate and graduate school, including becoming a substitute teacher, a tutor and a program coordinator at my old high school.
I had the opportunity to work with high school students daily and help them figure out their post-graduate plans, as I still discovered mine. In that process, I learned so much about counseling and started to look into graduate school programs. After some research, I chose to pursue Mental Health Counseling at North Carolina Central University. Once I was accepted, everything just came together. I moved to NC, started my counseling program and my life was forever changed.
While in graduate school, I was challenged and evolved so much in the 2.5 years that I was there. I started going to therapy for the first time and saw firsthand the life-changing effects of having a supportive therapist. I began to set my own boundaries and truly create the life I love.
Through various jobs and cross country moves, I’m grateful to finally be in the position to launch my private practice: Healthy Self Today in Atlanta, GA. I choose to serve my community through holding space for us all to heal. I believe that we should all strive to be the healthiest version of ourselves, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. My practice focuses on holistic wellness while offering a culturally competent perspective. Most importantly, I allow space for grace, we are all on this journey together.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was a challenge to get to this space. After 2.5 years of school, three years of post-graduate experiences, and hundreds of hours of clinical supervision, I was able to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia. Once I obtained my LPC, I knew starting my business was my number one goal. Starting my private practice allowed me the freedom to serve my community and cultivate the life that I desire at the same time. Although there have been many struggles along my journey, I can’t imagine doing it any other way.
We’ve been impressed with Healthy Self Today, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The mission of Healthy Self Today is to provide culturally relevant therapy for individuals who are recovering from trauma in order to help them to live full lives! We value diversity, integrity and holistic wellness. We honor the diverse ways we all heal beyond the therapy session. We uphold the highest standards of integrity in all of our actions and we understand that wellness is a mental, physical and spiritual transformation.
We offer individual counseling to individuals ages 18 and up. We also offer a select number of group counseling programs several times throughout the year focused on building community and providing mental health support. Most recently, we have launched a digital course geared towards individuals interested in working on their mental health outside of the therapy session.
If you are interested in learning more about mental health services feel free to reach out to admin@healthyselftoday.org.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the restaurants! There are so many diverse restaurants to choose from and each place has unique offerings. It’s not only the food that’s amazing but each restaurant curates a specific vibe with the music, decor and top-quality service.
My least favorite thing is the traffic but I’ve found creative ways to pass time as I’m waiting, like listening to podcasts or catching up with friends.
Contact Info:
- Email: admin@healthyselftoday.org
- Website: www.healthyselftoday.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyselftoday/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyourhealthyselftoday
Image Credits
Headshot – Photographed by Jon J Photography LLC Other Photos – Photographed by Taylor S. Hunter Photography, LLC
