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By: Crystal Mullen-Johnson In the beginning, after you met your partner and vowed to be with them for life, you may not have considered all the challenges ahead of you. The question is, when challenges arise, will you allow them to rock your boat and sink your ship, or will you ride the waves and fight for your marriage? The power of love should encourage you to communicate, respect, support, and commit to your partner, even during turbulent times. There are some situations—such as abuse—that are unacceptable in a marriage. However, most circumstances can be resolved through communication, validation, and negotiation: · Communication is an important skill that helps us to maintain intimacy through listening, being supportive, and respecting each other’s differences. Allow yourself to be open to give and receive. · A healthy marriage should also consist of validation. There are moments when you may disagree, but you should not discredit your partner’s thoughts and feelings or demean their character. · If you find you cannot overcome a challenge, try to negotiate these issues through a marriage counselor. Negotiation includes learning healthy conflict-resolution strategies, identifying areas of focus, and improving communication skills. Counseling can help you achieve a deeper appreciation for your spouse by cultivating an environment of trust, respect, and acceptance. Remember, you are committed for a lifetime. Love has the potential to heal wounds and overcome barriers, but only if you are willing to communicate, validate, and negotiate!

By: Crystal Mullen-Johnson What comes to mind when you hear the term ‘Shero’? A woman who is the essence of strength, resilience, and determination—right? Her character is giving and yet a work-in-progress simultaneously. She’s our mother, professional, friend, sister, and entrepreneur all in one. But let’s be real sisters and have a true heart-to-heart. Sometimes being strong on the daily can have a negative effect on our lives, and in hindsight, negatively impact our loved ones surrounding us, as well. Most Sheros desire to help others but deny themselves the gift of receiving help in return. Is it because we feel that our perception of strength is being stripped away? Maybe it’s because we want to be in control because we sense that’s our only option? Society has placed several expectations on our mothers to be homemakers, working moms, and caretakers all in the same capacity to the point that it’s causing an emotional deficit internally without us even realizing. In alignment with the notion, “that’s what a woman is supposed to do,” but why must we be prescribed these roles when responsibilities can be easily delegated?  We are constantly in Shero mode trying to function as the “Strong Woman.” Eventually, this role can create stress and burnout if not managed properly—particularly for mothers. A mother’s pride is to rescue her kids from situations they will innately learn from by making mistakes. Some mothers are primarily focused on how others perceive them because they aren’t confident that they’re living up to society’s standards. It’s hard to be everything for everyone without also taking time to heal yourself in the process. Let’s start taking the time to develop realistic goals and standards that are achievable and less stressful overall. Focus on creating a work–life balance by delegating tasks to others. Allow them to help rescue you from the overwhelming burnout. We have so many strenuous life demands and not enough support. So give yourself permission today to remove your cape and relax. Crystal Mullen-Johnson, Owner Strive Counseling Services, L.L.C

By: Crystal Mullen-Johnson Compared to women, men are less likely to receive mental health counseling. Instead of seeking any kind of treatment, men are more likely to deal with stress by overindulging in work, abusing alcohol, or binge watching sports. Young men between the ages of 15 and 24, especially African American men, are at an increased risk for suicide. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health , African Americans are 10% more likely to report having extreme psychological discomfort than Non-Hispanic whites. The mortality rate from suicide for African American men was more than four times greater than for African American women, in 2014. My favorite actor on the TV show The Young and the Restless  is Kristoff St. John. He committed suicide on February 2, 2019. Neil Winters, played by Kristoff, appeared to be so happy and full of life. Neil was a romantic, the kind of guy you see and think, “I would like to marry someone like him because he looks attractive, possesses some great qualities, and appears to be physically and mentally healthy.” Prior to Kristoff’s suicide, he was known for struggling off the set with mental illness. Kristoff’s son committed suicide in 2014, which led to Kristoff’s grieving and silent suffering. Delayed grief of a loved one can manifest into a mental illness if untreated. Mental health therapy helps people improve their self-awareness. It can also help them reprogram their brain patterns to better process situations and develop solutions to problems. When people use both objective resources and therapy, it helps them conquer their mental health issues, improve their problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills, and manage their emotions. Down through the years, African American men and women have learned to suppress their pain and emotions and to “get over it” instead of discussing their troubles. The myth that one should “fake it till you make it,” distorts the reality of our problems. We become debilitated and internalize our problems by suffering silently. That behavior allows our internal suffering to be kept “under wraps.” Laura Anderson, a former archivist for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and author of the book Civil Rights in Birmingham believes there is a heavy local legacy of collective failure to deal with trauma. She recalls what one hears in interviews with Birmingham residents who shared their memories of the many bombings in Birmingham over the years. Of course, the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing that killed: Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins, and Cynthia Wesley stands out. “From scores of interviews, one comes to understand that adults went to work the next day, students and teachers went to school the following day, all without opportunity to process a highly traumatic experience.” This is a great example of how African Americans developed a tolerance for trauma. Many believe we must be strong and courageous, and that life must go on without processing trauma. However, without processing trauma, people continue to suffer in silence. Michael B. Jordan is another example of someone struggling with mental illness, but he was able to struggle less with the help of treatment. Michael B. Jordan played a character in the movie Black Panther and stated that he began to sync with his character both on and off the set. The character was portrayed as violent and resentful, with vindictive motives. Michael disclosed that therapy was helpful in processing uncomfortable emotions so that he felt comfortable and in sync with his character on the set, and was able to be himself off the set. Unfortunately, not all African Americans have access to mental health resources, and they also have to overcome barriers to access. Some reasons why African Americans have problems accessing mental health treatment are poverty, poor education, lack of insurance, and fear of being discovered. The myths ingrained in our culture also impair our judgment, which creates more stigma around mental health within our community. The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) collaborated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to launch an educational outreach program called “ Brother, You’re on My Mind .” According to NIMHD, “The focus [of the program] is to raise awareness about the mental health challenges associated with stress and depression that affect African American men and their families.” One of the program’s goals is to communicate the importance of seeking help for mental health problems and to encourage affected individuals to get information, possibly by talking with their health care providers, in order to obtain appropriate treatment. It is evident we have progressed as a culture economically and educationally. However, we still have great strides to make to improve mental health in our community. In the past, and still to this day, we are very comfortable wearing a mask with many layers of faces that we wear to appease others. By removing the mask, we can help ourselves achieve and reflect genuine peace of mind, happiness, and security. Who will you be when you remove the mask that hides your layers of trauma, depression, anxiety, marital discord, and stress? Find out by making an appointment at Strive Counseling Services with a therapist today. Crystal Mullen-Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist in Birmingham, AL with more than 14 years of experience in providing counseling. Strive Counseling Services is a private practice located in downtown Birmingham that offers therapeutic mental health services to children (play therapy), adolescents, and adults. Strive offers evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Visit these websites for mental health resources: · Strive Counseling Services— http://www.strivebhm.com · National Institute of Mental Health— http://www.nimh.nih.gov   · National Alliance on Mental Illness— http://www.nami.org   American Psychological Association— http://www.apa.org

Strive Counseling Services began as the vision of Crystal Mullen-Johnson, a dedicated professional driven by a deep passion for mental health and social work. As a second-generation business owner, Crystal drew inspiration from her family's entrepreneurial legacy and her own life experiences to establish a practice addressing the growing need for accessible, compassionate, and high-quality mental health services in her community. About Strive Mental Health Services Strive Counseling Services began as the vision of Crystal Mullen-Johnson, a dedicated professional driven by a deep passion for mental health and social work. As a second-generation business owner, Crystal drew inspiration from her family's entrepreneurial legacy and her own life experiences to establish a practice addressing the growing need for accessible, compassionate, and high-quality mental health services in her community. Crystal’s journey was profoundly shaped by personal experiences with grief, particularly the unexpected loss of her mother during her adolescence. These challenges instilled in her a commitment to create a safe and supportive environment where others could find the help she lacked during her own struggles. Armed with over 20 years of experience in social services, a robust educational background, and unwavering compassion, Crystal brings a unique blend of empathy, expertise, and resilience to her practice. In addition to her role as a therapist, Crystal is an accomplished author of *The 21-Day Journey to Strive for a Healthier You, a book that inspires and empowers individuals on their path to healing. She is also the founder of *Nurture of Alabama, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to mental health and support. Crystal meets each client where they are, fostering a safe and nurturing environment for personal growth. Her philosophy, Change begins with you. Strive with me,”* encapsulates her dedication to helping individuals take meaningful steps toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. Strive Counseling Services was built on a foundation of empowering individuals to overcome adversity and achieve personal growth. Its mission reflects Crystal’s unwavering belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, thrive, and reach their full potential. The name “Strive” symbolizes persistence, resilience, and the continuous pursuit of self-improvement. With a focus on serving adolescents and adults facing mental health challenges, Strive Counseling Services has become a trusted resource in Birmingham, Alabama. Its success has led to the planned opening of a second location in Demopolis, Alabama, in November 2024, further expanding its reach and impact on the community. Meet The Team Our team of mental health professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best care and quality service. Crystal Mullen-Johnson , the CEO/Founder of Strive Counseling Services in downtown Birmingham, AL, brings a wealth of expertise as an award-winning therapist with over 16 years of experience in mental health counseling.... Read Crystal's Bio Dr. Demechiko French, the owner of Mechi Mental Wellness is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, with training and experience treating patients with psychiatric disorders across the lifespan and practice settings, from hospitals to outpatient service and corrections. Dr. French is married to Monique Rusell French, and they have two wonderful kids, Harlee Elizabeth and Daxton Russell French. Read Dr. French's Bio Ashley Shivers was born and raised in Douglasville, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business from The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling... Read Ashley's Bio Angela Walker is a compassionate therapist who meets you exactly where life may have you at the moment... Read Angela's Bio Carliea Barckley is an Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC) with a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, addiction recovery, and developmental disabilities. With more than seven years of experience in the human services field, she has supported children, adolescents, and adults in diverse therapeutic environments—including residential homes, inpatient and outpatient clinics, and community-based programs. Read Carliea's Bio Jenalyn Santos is a Medical Virtual Assistant based in the Philippines, supporting healthcare practices with reliable administrative and operational services. She has experience in insurance verification, eligibility and benefits coordination, patient scheduling, and managing daily virtual office tasks. Read Jenalyn's Bio Amber Hendrix is an Associate Licensed Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor under the supervision of Waynette Smith Ed.S., LPC-S, NCC. Amber is passionate about supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and families through life’s challenges and transitions. Read Amber's Bio Jamette Goston is a Master’s-level therapist passionate about helping children, adolescents, adults, and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion, empathy, and evidence-based care. Her goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered to grow while enhancing their overall emotional health and wellness. Read Jamette's Bio Testimonials Angela Watkins, Birmingham, AL “Excellent presentation! Crystal Mullen-Johnson was a breath of fresh air for our staff at Smith Middle School. She left us with some devices to use to keep ourselves mentally well during the school year. I would recommend her expertise to anyone/team who needs a refresh or ways to deal with the day to day life and work stressors."

Strive Counseling Services, LLC is a mental health practice dedicated to helping children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families build resilience and improve their overall well-being. Our experienced therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, ADHD, and mood disorders. We also offer psychiatric medication management, play therapy and restorative yoga. Strive Mental Health professionals are dedicated to providing you with the best care and quality service Book a Session Birmingham, AL Click the link below to visit Strive Counseling Service's Birmingham, AL Location Explore Birmingham Services Demopolis, AL Click the link below to visit Strive Counseling Service's Demopolis, AL Location Explore Demopolis Services

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