crystal Oehlers, M.Ed, LPC, EMDR

Licensed Professional Counselor, Trauma Therapist, & Professional Education Advocate

Call: 940-294-7061

My specialties:

Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, School Issues & Advocacy, ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder), Parent Coaching, & Family Issues, Neurofeedback

Who I work with:

Children (starting at 7 yrs old), Adolescents, Adults & Families

More about me:

At Harvest Counseling and Wellness, I believe that healing happens in the context of safety, connection, and embodied resilience. I provide compassionate, evidence-informed therapy to individuals ages 7 and up, helping children, teens, adults, and families move toward greater peace and stability.

Many people who find their way to my office, whether they are high-achieving adults, overwhelmed teens, or parents of struggling children, are experts at appearing okay while feeling completely depleted. On the outside, you are handling the chaos. On the inside, there is a persistent hum of anxiety, a fog of exhaustion, or a body that feels like it is constantly bracing for the next challenge.

If you feel like you are in a permanent state of survival, I want you to know this is not a character flaw. It is a biological response. Your work with me is grounded in the understanding that emotional and physical health are deeply interconnected. For many, chronic anxiety and dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system feel like invisible barriers to feeling calm or fully engaged in life. My job is to help you move out of survival mode and back into a life that feels authentic and manageable.

My Approach

We do not want to just focus on changing your thoughts. We want to focus on changing how your body processes stress.

I use Polyvagal Theory to help you map out your stress responses. We look at where you are spending your energy. Are you stuck in "Fight or Flight," characterized by anxiety and irritability, or have you drifted into "Shutdown," which often feels like numbness, brain fog, and chronic fatigue?

By integrating Somatic Experiencing with EMDR, we communicate directly with your nervous system. We are not just talking about the past. We are clearing the physical charge it left behind. When we resolve the stress stored in the body, the mind finally has the space to rest and heal.

Specialized Focus and Clinical Methods

I work from an eclectic therapeutic model grounded in a person-centered lens. Our work is always collaborative and tailored to you as a whole person rather than a diagnosis. My therapeutic focus includes depression, mood dysregulation, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and ASD, as well as educator and parent coaching. I also provide ADHD testing for children, teens, and adults.

Depending on your goals, I integrate a diverse range of evidence-based practices:

• Trauma and Somatic Work: EMDR Trauma Therapy (with a somatic focus), Somatic Experiencing Therapy, and Polyvagal-informed approaches to restore a sense of safety in the body.

• Neurological Interventions: Neurofeedback and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). These help the brain learn more efficient patterns and use filtered music to gently stimulate the social engagement system.

• Behavioral and Cognitive Tools: DBT skills for emotional regulation, CBT to shift unhelpful thought patterns, and Solution-Focused strategies for practical forward movement.

• Relational Support: Person-Centered Therapy and Mindfulness to support both insight and real-world change.

A Personal Journey Toward Healing

My passion for nervous system regulation is deeply personal. In 2019, I faced a health crisis that left me bedridden for two months. Diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and a vagus nerve disorder, I discovered how deeply stress and the nervous system influence overall well-being.

While pursuing my counseling education, I encountered Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, which helped me understand the connection between the body, mind, and healing. This journey inspires me to explore tools to support my own recovery and deepens my desire to help others facing difficult life challenges. My experience has shaped my understanding of the complexities of stress, and my approach is grounded in practices tailored to each client’s unique capacity.

Working Kids, Teens, and Adults

Whether a child is learning to manage big emotions in school, a teen is navigating transitions and identity, or an adult is trying to quiet chronic worry, I create a supportive, mask-free environment.

• For Kids and Teens: We focus on building a foundation of regulation early, helping them understand their "engine" before shame-based habits take root.

• For Adults: We address the complexities of adult life, including the "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents" dynamic. If you grew up taking care of everyone else’s feelings, we work on reparenting those parts of yourself that never felt heard.

Background and Personal Note

I hold a Master of Education and am a Professional Education Advocate. Both provide the foundation for my understanding of how systems like schools and families shape our development. With my background in special education and additional certifications as an ADHD Educator and Autism-Informed Professional, I have cultivated a deep understanding of the unique needs and diverse challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. As a school mental health counselor, I have had the opportunity to support students, families, and educators, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of compassionate guidance.

My work as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and EMDR Trauma Therapist allows me to take this systemic knowledge and apply it to deep, clinical healing. I have transitioned from navigating the external structures of the classroom to helping individuals navigate the internal structures of their own nervous systems. Whether I am working with a child in the middle of a school struggle or an adult processing years of systemic trauma, my approach is both clinically rigorous and deeply empathetic.

I am originally from the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Tennessee but have lived in Texas for 13 years. I have been married for 19 years and have a blended family with my husband and two adult sons, an amazing daughter-in-law, and a sweet little granddaughter who is the light of my life. It is not always easy, but love and understanding help us overcome challenges. My faith and family are very important to me and are a large part of who I am. When I have time, my hobbies include researching psychology, baking, jewelry making, knitting, drawing, painting, and many other creative activities.

Are you ready to stop pushing through and start healing?

Contact Crystal