Hi, I’m Crystal Dao, LPC. Thank you for taking the first step to your therapeutic journey! I hope this page helps you get a better sense of my therapeutic style and determine whether we are a great fit.
Crystal Dao, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor (she, her)
- Work best with: Teens, Adults, Families, First Responders, Medical Professionals. LGBTQ+ Community
- Appointments: Both in-person and telehealth
- Manage Medications: Provides therapy and collaborates closely with our psychiatry team for medication management, available through internal referral if needed.
Self Scheduling
As a warm and engaging therapist, I focus on building a strong, trusting connection where you feel safe, supported, and genuinely heard. I prioritize creating a space where you can share your experiences without judgment and begin to better understand yourself and your emotional world. I am trauma-informed and have experience working with diverse populations, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. I understand that each person brings their own unique story, and I’m committed to providing inclusive, affirming care that honors your identity and supports your growth.
My therapy style can be described as empathetic and compassionate with elements of being relational, supportive, or direct as therapeutically fit for the client. My therapy style mostly focuses on acknowledging the client’s thoughts, emotions, behavioral patterns, and how they all interact or connect with one another. Patients would say how “down-to-Earth” I can be through my reflections – how I can be warm and empathetic, yet direct, confrontational, or humorous in my approach.
Patients have mentioned gratitude and benefits from having a safe and supportive safe to process, further insight or awareness in themselves and their individual capabilities, and appreciation for direct confrontation or “being called out” on deep-seated patterns or behavioral habits that may have been concerning.
Credentials
Education
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of North Texas, 2019
Personal Interests
– I have a pup named Sunday
– I love attending music shows, concerts, and festivals
– My favorite animals are seals and wombats
In-network and Self Pay
Insurance Accepted
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Employers Health Network
- Aetna
- Sana Benefits
- UnitedHealthcare/Optum
- Cigna/Evernorth
- Tricare
- Scott and White Health Plan
- Partners Direct Health
Self Pay
$170
Self-pay and out-of-pocket session costs for clients without insurance coverage for mental health services.
Specialties and Expertise
Top Specialities
Trauma and PTSD, Eating Disorder Recovery, Mood Disorders, Life Transitions, Adjustment Concerns, Peer/Relational Conflict
Expertise
- Anxiety
- Attachment Trauma or Insecurity
- Boundaries / Assertiveness
- Codependency
- Conflict with Friends
- Depression
- Divorce / Breakup
- Eating Disorders
- Family Conflict
- Fear of Rejection
- Gender Identity
- Gender Identity (LGBTQ)
- Lack of Emotional Awareness
- Life Transitions
- Loss or Grief
- Not Happy or Satisfied with life
- Overeating
- Perfectionism
- Personal Growth
- Self-Esteem / Negative Self-Talk
- Shame
- Social Anxiety
- Social Isolation / Loneliness
- Stress / Burnout
- Stress-Related Illness
- Substance Use
- Trauma / PTSD
Treatment Approach
Types of Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Compassion Focused
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- EMDR
- Expressive Arts Therapy
- Family / Marital
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Music Therapy
- Nonviolent Communication
- Strength-Based
- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Locations
Client Focus
- Age Groups Served: Preteen (12+), Teens and Adults (18-39)
- Participant Types: Individual, Family
- Language Spoken: English