Crystal Barrera, MSW, LICSW
Education
I completed my Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work at the University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine University, with a focus on trauma, integrative psychotherapy, and children. I am also a Professional Member of the Association of Play Therapy.
Experience
I have been working with children and their families since 2011 in a variety of settings, including an urban school district where I used play therapy with children with highly aggressive behaviors.
These experiences have taught me that children have a natural capacity to grow, learn, and change. It has also taught me not to take myself too seriously. Kids truly have no filter, and they frequently make me laugh. (Usually at my own expense!)
I truly enjoy partnering with parents and other caregivers. Raising children is so hard, especially in today’s busy world. When kids struggle with their emotions and behaviors, people are so quick to label others as “bad parents.” Truthfully, I’ve never met a bad parent, only parents who didn’t have the support they needed. I love being able to help parents find that support so their children can thrive.
My Approach
using Play Therapy
I mostly work with children ages 3 to 12, although I do work with kids younger and older on a case-by-case basis. I work with children who have a wide range of problems. My areas of specialty include trauma, dissociation, and aggressive behavior.
I work from a nondirective framework, which simply means I let the child take the lead. I have found that when children are allowed to set the pace and lead the way, results come faster and are longer-lasting. I use primarily Child-Centered Play Therapy, but also incorporate techniques from Experiential Play Therapy and Synergistic Play Therapy.
Outside of Work
Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my own children, being outside, and doing crafts like cross-stitch and crochet. I also have a mild obsession with Bluey, and know entirely too much about a fictional cartoon dog.
