Meet Crystal Nesfield of Desert Heart Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Nesfield.

Hi Crystal, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After graduating with my undergraduate degree in 2008, it was quite difficult for me to find a job. The first job I was offered was working in mental health at an entry-level position working with at-risk youth. I then started working in different rehab centers and with people struggling with serious mental illnesses. During this time, I became sober and began working on my own past trauma.

I realized that working with people was something that I wanted to do. While working as a tech, I completed my Master’s Degree. I then completed my internship at Gentle Path at the Meadows, an inpatient unit in Wickenburg for men struggling with compulsive sexual behaviors. After completing my internship, I worked as a trauma therapist at Gentle Path and was trained in EMDR and Somatic Experiencing work. I was able to work intensively with people on trauma and addiction issues.

I was at the men’s unit until they opened a unit for women, struggling with sex compulsivity, relationship issues, and trauma, Willow House. I worked as a trauma therapist there for a couple of years, but decided that I no longer wanted to drive to Wickenburg from Phoenix every day and so began working at the Meadows Intensive Outpatient. During this time, I also began doing private practice work.

I began to realize that working with people on trauma and addiction issues in private practice is where my passion is and so moved to doing that full time.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One major struggle that I faced was stressors outside of work. While working at Willow House, my family was told that my brother had been murdered.

He had been missing for 11 years and his remains were found by hikers in the mountains of Colorado. My family and I had to face the trauma and grief associated with this and also with an investigation into his death. We have had several years of dealing with police and his killer working his way through the court system, all while trying to live our lives and take care of ourselves.

Luckily, I was already sober at this time and had many people supporting me, like my friends and my husband.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I offer individual therapy to those wanting to work on trauma issues and addiction issues.

I take a non-judgmental approach when it comes to addiction work and try to meet people where they are at, whether that means sobriety or not. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, DBT skills, and Somatic Experiencing to help work through trauma.

I work especially well with people from the LGBTQAI+ communities and women.

What do you think about happiness?
There are a lot of things that make me happy. I have actually done a lot of work on integrating things every single day to increase happiness and have researched what makes people happy quite a bit, as I used to really struggle with happiness.

I try to focus on the present and the positive in my life. I actually write down three positive things that happen every single day and write down what I am grateful for daily. I have a strong connection to my family, friends, and especially my husband. I love spending time with my dogs.

I ride my bike with friends and my husband and exercise. I love to read sci-fi novels. I also have a side business making different stuff out of wood and other materials, like jewelry, men’s accessories, planters, and wind chimes. It is a great creative outlet for me.

Pricing:

• 50 Minute Session – $140

Contact Info:

• Email: crystal@desertheartcounseling.com
• Website: www.deserheartcounseling.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desertheartcounseling
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertheartcounseling1

Image Credits:
Lauren Peachie