Meet Crystal Mullen-Johnson of Strive Counseling Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Mullen-Johnson.

Crystal, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My decision to embark on my career as a social worker, was greatly influenced by my deceased mother’s career as a social worker, coupled with my father’s entrepreneurial spirit. Her death caused me to understand the importance of mental health, which was not addressed in my community during the time I was grieving. This final seal on my decision to study mental health was influenced by recognizing that it’s an important health issue to address, particularly in the Black community. African Americans don’t always consider speaking with a licensed professional who specializes in treating mental illness.

Has it been a smooth road?
Entrepreneurship has been a great experience. My business has been on a significant growth tract for three years. The most defining moment in my career was adapting during the Pandemic State of Emergency. I was challenged to implement a virtual behavioral health platform that, ironically, was a part of my business plan. I launched Strive’s virtual planform the following week after practicing and studying its functionality, performing test runs with friends acting in the role of “clients.” My ability to adapt to change seized an opportunity to expand my business beyond Birmingham, AL.

Please tell us about Strive Counseling Services.
Strive Counseling Services, L.L.C. is a mental health private practice located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. We tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each client according to their presenting problems and mental health condition.

​The Mission of Strive is to provide quality mental health counseling to individuals and couples, focusing on empowering clients to achieve self-efficacy to build a foundation for a healthier life. I specialize in treating the following mental health conditions: Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, Anger, Marital Conflict, Adjustment Disorders, Psychosocial Stress, Trauma Disorders, and/or ADHD. I also specialize in offering Play Therapy Services to children ages 3-12 years old. Play Therapy is an alternative means of self-expression and communication that’s effective for children.

I am most proud of providing useful resources to the community about the importance of mental health awareness and wellness. I launched the Community Mental Health Awareness Initiative in 2019 in partnership with the City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services and formed a new partnership with Bradford Health Services in 2020. The initiative’s goals are to educate attendees about mental health conditions, provide free community resources, reduce mental health stigmas and debunk false information about mental health.

Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have found ways to continue to further the initiative by creating a virtually platform user-friendly and accessible to all. Strive to expanded its platform to offer Telehealth services that serve clients beyond the reach of Jefferson County and surrounding counties​.

As an advocate of good physical health and devotee of personal wholeness, I co-host yoga sessions with a licensed yoga instructor to offer an alternative to therapeutic practice in coping with mental health issues. I pioneered a new approach towards personal wholeness and awareness with the emphasis upon developing harmony and balance of mind, body and soul.

I have been recognized by the City of Birmingham as 1 of 200 Front Line Workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, honored by the Mayor’s Office during the 2020 #StrongHer Campaign as a game-changer for Birmingham in promoting Mental Health, a recipient of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award for 2020, and awarded for the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2020 Women to Watch annual listing. I have also been featured as an expert on local radio stations, webinars, podcast and the news outlets in both Birmingham, AL and in Charlotte, SC.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I enjoy the feel of a large city because I grew up in Demopolis, AL, a quaint town. Birmingham is a beautiful city that has gems I enjoy and I’ve established a successful business in downtown Birmingham. Magic City has been great to me.

Pricing:

Counseling ranges from $100.00 to $140.00 per session (1hr.)
Contact Info:

Address: 2024 3rd Avenue North, Suite 312
Birmingham, AL 35203
Website: www.strivebhm.com
Phone: 2057219893
Email: cmullenj@strivebhm.com
Instagram: Strive_Counseling
Facebook: Strive Counseling Services, L.L.C.
Twitter: Strive_c

Image Credit:
Live Prep Nation Video
LaPic Visuals