Crystal is a Christ-follower, wife, mother, counselor, and friend. She is passionate about connecting others with the truth of God's miraculous power and sustaining presence. Biblical counseling allows her the opportunity to see the gospel impact lives, and bring beauty from ashes. Crystal has a background in women's ministry and Christian Education, and is the founder of Spirit & Strength, a Christ-centered weight training ministry. She has authored a repertoire of studies and conferences on topics including authentic faith, overcoming anxiety, attaching to God, engaged parenting, and battling lies. Crystal counsels with a focus on women, anxiety, and adoption.
In addition to her counseling work at Fieldstone, Crystal serves as FC's Director of Strategic Initiatives. In this role, she fosters relationships with individuals and corporations who support Fieldstone's unique vision for biblically-based, Christ-centered, clinically informed care. Crystal's blog pleasepassthemustardseeds. com, features faith builders for the real world. Crystal and her husband Jeff have been married 34 years, have three adult children, and one amazing grandchild. They make their home in Northeast Ohio.
B. A. Honors English, Indiana University
M.A. Pastoral Counseling, Liberty University
anxiety, women's issues, parenting (adoption)
Remote Counseling
I relish descriptive words, and the word surpassing is an excellent morsel. Surpassing applies to something that goes beyond, exceeding the constrictions of time and imagination. Humanity honors, and longs for that which surpasses normality.
One evening, after speaking at a church gathering in Akron, a woman came up to me with an unusual request. She said, “You seem to really like stories…would you mind if I shared one with you?”
Concatenation. When you learn a cool theological word like concatenation, you want to drop it in conversation all the time! Of course, there aren’t many contexts that concatenation fits right into. Throwing it around also sounds pretty pretentious, so I’ve contained my use of concatenation to sessions. As it represents a key aspect of growth in sanctification, it’s quite useful there.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus throws down all kinds of golden opportunities for faith. His disciples witnessed many wonders before this conversation took place. The demon-possessed man who lived among the Gerasene tombs had been freed. A woman whose twelve-year struggle with an issue of blood had been healed through a faith-filled touch. Jairus, a ruler in the synagogue, welcomed his dead daughter back to life. Christ’s disciples had seen many miracles happen. Now Jesus invited them to be part of one.
Purpose helps us move from the darkness of disease, trauma, loss, and heartache into the warm sun of God’s plan. It reminds us that each day we live God has accounted for. He keeps the plan, which involves people and perseverance, and leads us into something far deeper when we follow it, joy.
Musing about my hoary alyssum struggle reminds me of a recent conversation with a dear counselee. She fought a fierce battle to overcome a troublesome pattern of sin in her life. It was a significant struggle, but she fought hard with the weapons of truth, humility, and faith.
Crosses are places in our lives where we can give God great glory. Despite the pain and hardship they represent, we should keep on looking for them, picking them up, and through Christ, learning to carry them. Embedded deep in the texture of those crosses is life and hope.
I often refer to it in counseling sessions, prayers, and conversations with friends and family members. The “peace that passes understanding” (Phil. 4:7) is Christian-speak that flows freely through my heart and mouth. Yet, it has always mystified me. How can peace be present without understanding? How can calm come through chaos, or serenity shine through sorrow?
I often refer to it in counseling sessions, prayers, and conversations with friends and family members. The “peace that passes understanding” (Phil. 4:7) is Christian-speak that flows freely through my heart and mouth. Yet, it has always mystified me. How can peace be present without understanding? How can calm come through chaos, or serenity shine through sorrow?
Forgiveness: A Footpath to Freedom in an online, interactive workshop designed to help participants walk through the process of forgiveness with wisdom.
If we were to diagram the love Christ showed through his incarnational appearance in a manger and horrific death, we would draw a direct line from him to us. We are the direct object of his incredible descent into humanity, and his humiliation on a cross.
Often in life, I’m confronted by an immediate need. It’s the need to know Christ’s presence–the need to trust him in a hard place.
Our Counseling Team
Dave AbernethyCounselor
Melissa AffolterCounselor
Hyemin BahkCounseling Apprentice
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Karen BrooksCounseling Apprentice
Steve BroughtonCounselor
Richard BueschCounselor
Francene CandelariaCounselor
Joshua ConwellCounselor
Karen CorcoranCounselor
Barry CuretonCounselor
Rachel DunnCounselor
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Jonathan HolmesCounselor
Joy HuCounselor
Laura HudsonCounselor
Joseph HussungCounselor
Sarah KeeneCounselor
Crystal KershawCounselor
Jonathan KimCounseling Apprentice
Julie MacDonaldCounselor
Mandie MarshallCounseling Apprentice
Shannon McCoyCounselor
Clair NorthcuttCounseling Apprentice
Sarah QuayCounseling Intern
Elizabeth SelleCounselor
Sarah Shaw OjedaCounselor Apprentice
Bob ShullCounselor
Lori TanakaCounseling Apprentice
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Ian TullyCounselor
Marilyn VaughanCounselor
Anna WalkerCounselor
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Taylor WestCounselor
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