Licensed to practice in Kentucky and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, LGBTQ, Addiction and 9 more.

Crystal Cundiff-Franklin

(she/her)

LCSW, 5 years of experience
No reviews yet

New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

Hello, and welcome! My name is Crystal, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges with compassion, authenticity, and evidence-based care. I am passionate about working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other life stressors. My goal is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard, valued, and empowered to explore your experiences at your own pace. Together, we will identify your strengths, develop effective coping strategies, and work toward meaningful, lasting change. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I believe every person deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and live a life that aligns with their values. Whether you are working through past trauma, managing overwhelming emotions, or facing difficult life transitions, I am committed to helping you build resilience, establish healthy boundaries, strengthen self-confidence, and create realistic goals that support your long-term well-being. My approach is personalized to meet your unique needs because no two individuals share the same journey. I strive to create a welcoming environment where you can safely process challenges, celebrate progress, and develop the tools needed to become the healthiest and most authentic version of yourself. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to face life's challenges alone. I would be honored to walk alongside you as you move toward healing, personal growth, and a more fulfilling future.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Beginning therapy is a meaningful first step toward healing and personal growth, and I understand that reaching out for support can feel overwhelming. My goal is to make your first session a comfortable, welcoming, and judgment-free experience where you feel safe being yourself. During our first session, we will take time to get to know one another and begin building a therapeutic relationship based on trust, respect, and collaboration. We will discuss what brought you to therapy, the challenges you are currently experiencing, and the goals you hope to work toward. This is your opportunity to share your story at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I will also ask questions about your background, personal experiences, relationships, strengths, coping strategies, and any areas of life that may be impacting your emotional well-being. This helps me better understand your unique experiences and develop an approach that is personalized to your needs. Together, we will begin identifying goals for therapy and exploring the strategies that may best support your growth and healing. Depending on your needs, sessions may include learning coping skills, exploring patterns of thoughts and behaviors, processing difficult experiences, developing healthier boundaries, and building tools to help you navigate life's challenges. You do not need to have everything figured out before your first appointment. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we will work together to determine the best path forward. My hope is that you leave your first session feeling heard, supported, and encouraged that positive change is possible. Your journey begins with a single step, and I would be honored to support you along the way.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I believe that meaningful change happens when clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and accepted without judgment. My approach is rooted in building a strong therapeutic relationship where trust, authenticity, and collaboration are at the center of every session. I strive to create an environment where you can be completely yourself while feeling supported as you navigate life's challenges. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor therapy to your unique experiences, strengths, and goals. Every individual has a different story, and together we will develop a treatment plan that reflects your specific needs and helps you make meaningful, sustainable progress. My sessions are interactive, supportive, and goal-oriented. While I provide a compassionate space to process difficult emotions and experiences, I also believe therapy should equip you with practical tools that you can apply in your everyday life. You can expect to leave sessions with greater insight, effective coping strategies, and tangible steps that move you toward the life you want to create. I am especially passionate about helping clients heal from trauma, manage anxiety and depression, strengthen self-worth, establish healthy boundaries, and develop confidence in advocating for themselves. I believe healing is about more than reducing symptoms—it's about rediscovering your strengths, building resilience, and creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. Above all, I want every client to know that they never have to face their struggles alone. My goal is to meet you where you are, celebrate your progress, and provide consistent support as you work toward becoming the healthiest, most confident version of yourself.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal client is anyone who is ready to take the first step toward understanding themselves, creating change, and investing in their own personal growth. You do not have to have everything figured out before beginning therapy. My role is to meet you exactly where you are in your journey and help you explore what feels most challenging, overwhelming, or difficult to navigate. Together, we will identify your biggest struggles, recognize the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop tools and strategies that support your goals and overall well-being. I will walk alongside you through your most difficult moments, providing support, encouragement, and a safe space to process your experiences. I believe every victory deserves to be recognized, whether it is a major milestone or a small step forward. Therapy is not only about working through challenges—it is also about celebrating growth, resilience, and the progress you make along the way. Sometimes, therapy means actively working toward change. Other times, it means having a safe person who can simply sit with you while you vent, cry, reflect, or process what you are experiencing. I will provide a compassionate space where you can slow down, be heard, and begin to understand what you truly need. Wherever you are in your journey, my goal is to support you with empathy, acceptance, and collaboration as you work toward becoming the most authentic and empowered version of yourself.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

ADHD

Grief

Trauma and PTSD

I identify as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

When we begin therapy together, my goal is to first understand you—your experiences, your challenges, your strengths, and what brought you to therapy. CBT is not about changing who you are or telling you that your thoughts and feelings are wrong. Instead, it is a way to better understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected and how they may be impacting your daily life. During our first sessions, we will take time to explore what you are currently struggling with and identify patterns that may be contributing to stress, anxiety, depression, or feeling stuck. We will look at situations that are difficult for you and gently explore questions such as: What happened? What thoughts came up for you in that moment? How did those thoughts make you feel? What did you do in response? By understanding this connection, we can begin identifying patterns and finding healthier ways to respond. As we continue working together, I will help you learn how to recognize thoughts that may be creating additional stress or making situations feel more overwhelming. Together, we will practice challenging unhelpful thoughts, developing new perspectives, and building coping skills that fit your individual needs. CBT is a collaborative process, meaning we work together as a team. You are the expert on your own life, and my role is to help guide you, provide support, and offer tools that can help you better understand yourself and create meaningful change. Depending on your goals, CBT may include learning ways to manage anxiety, improve confidence, set healthier boundaries, communicate more effectively, process difficult experiences, and develop skills to handle life's challenges. My goal is for you to leave therapy not only feeling supported and understood but also feeling more confident in your ability to navigate challenges, make choices that align with your values, and continue growing outside of our sessions.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

When using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), my focus is on helping you better understand your emotions, build healthier coping skills, and create a stronger sense of balance in your life. DBT recognizes that life can be incredibly challenging and that it is possible to accept where you are while also working toward meaningful change. In our first sessions, we will begin by exploring what you are experiencing, what situations feel overwhelming, and what emotions or challenges you would like support with. I will provide a safe, supportive space where you can be honest about your struggles while we work together to identify what you need to feel more in control and confident in managing life's difficulties. DBT focuses on developing practical skills that can help you navigate intense emotions, stressful situations, relationships, and difficult decisions. Together, we may explore areas such as: Emotional regulation: Learning to understand your emotions, identify triggers, and develop healthier ways to manage intense feelings. Distress tolerance: Building skills to cope with difficult moments without becoming overwhelmed or reacting in ways that may not support your goals. Mindfulness: Learning how to slow down, stay present, and become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and needs without judgment. Interpersonal effectiveness: Strengthening communication skills, setting healthy boundaries, expressing your needs, and building healthier relationships. DBT is not about eliminating emotions or avoiding difficult experiences. Instead, it helps you learn how to respond to challenges in ways that support your well-being while honoring what you are feeling. My role is to walk alongside you as you learn these skills, practice new ways of coping, and build confidence in your ability to handle life's ups and downs. We will celebrate your progress, recognize your strengths, and work through setbacks with compassion and understanding. The goal of DBT is to help you create a life that feels more balanced, meaningful, and aligned with who you are while giving you the tools to navigate challenges with greater confidence and resilience.

Couples Counseling

Couples counseling is a space where both partners can feel heard, understood, and supported while working toward a healthier and more connected relationship. My goal is not to take sides or determine who is right or wrong, but to help both individuals better understand each other, improve communication, and work together toward meaningful change. In our first sessions, we will focus on understanding your relationship from both perspectives. We will explore what brought you to counseling, the challenges you are currently facing, patterns that may be creating conflict, and the strengths that already exist within your relationship. Together, we will work on identifying communication patterns, understanding each other's needs, and creating healthier ways to navigate disagreements. Many relationship struggles come from feeling unheard, misunderstood, or disconnected, and therapy can provide the tools needed to rebuild trust, improve emotional connection, and strengthen the partnership. Depending on your goals, couples counseling may include learning how to: Communicate openly and effectively while feeling respected and understood. Express thoughts, feelings, and needs in healthier ways. Navigate conflict without becoming stuck in harmful patterns. Establish and maintain healthy boundaries within the relationship. Rebuild trust and emotional connection. Better understand each other's perspectives, experiences, and needs. I believe every relationship has its own unique story, and therapy should be tailored to the needs of each couple. Some couples come to therapy during times of conflict, while others seek support to strengthen an already meaningful relationship. Wherever you are in your journey, I will provide a safe and supportive environment where both partners can be honest, vulnerable, and willing to grow. My role is to help you and your partner create a stronger foundation built on understanding, respect, communication, and teamwork. Together, we will work toward developing the skills needed to create a healthier and more fulfilling relationship.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing is an approach that focuses on helping you better understand your own goals, values, and the changes you want to make in your life. It is based on the belief that you are the expert on yourself, and my role is to support you as you explore what matters most to you and what steps feel right for your journey. In our sessions, I will provide a supportive and nonjudgmental space where you can talk openly about your struggles, concerns, and hopes for the future. We will explore what may be keeping you from moving forward, identify the strengths you already have, and discover what motivates you to create the changes you want to see. Motivational Interviewing is not about someone telling you what you should do or pressuring you to change before you are ready. Instead, it helps you explore your own reasons for change and build confidence in your ability to take meaningful steps toward your goals. Together, we may explore questions such as: What changes would you like to see in your life? What is important to you and what values guide your decisions? What obstacles are making change feel difficult? What strengths and resources do you already have that can help you move forward? Through this process, we will work on increasing self-awareness, building confidence, exploring options, and creating realistic steps that align with your goals and personal values. My role is to walk alongside you, help you recognize your own strengths, and support you as you make decisions that feel meaningful and authentic. Whether you are feeling stuck, uncertain about your next step, or ready to make a change, Motivational Interviewing provides a space to explore your journey at your own pace. The goal is not perfection—it is progress. Together, we will focus on helping you gain clarity, strengthen your motivation, and move toward the life you want to create.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.