Cristal Lake-Sanders

Cristal Lake-Sanders  (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with extensive experience
working in a variety of settings over the past 20+ years, including transitional housing programs for
women and their children, therapeutic school programs, intensive in-home services, and, of course,
providing outpatient counseling/therapy services. Her history also includes the facilitation of
family-building support groups, presenting workshops on a variety of topics related to adoption and
donor-conceived children, leading parenting classes, and leading groups on adjusting to life-changing diagnoses. 

Specialties

Cristal will offer individual counseling for Adults who are experiencing grief/loss, life transitions, chronic
illness/pain, adoption-related issues, and/or have a Trauma history. She is a passionate advocate for
Women’s Health issues, including infertility and perinatal mood disorders as well as working with those
who are going through Perimenopause and Menopause. Cristal also has experience working with couples
going through infertility treatment and is able to provide evaluations related to using donor gametes
(Self-pay).

Modalities

Cristal’s therapeutic approach is eclectic, meeting each client where they are. She draws from
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Therapies, Mindfulness, Guided Imagery and Exploration,
Narrative therapy, Solution-Focused and Strength-Based approaches, and is also interested in becoming
trained/credentialed in Brainspotting. Cristal is LGBTQIA+ affirming and an Ally.

Education

• B.A., Psychology, Elon University
• M.Ed., Counseling, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Post-Graduate Certificate for Licensure, Medical College of Virginia

Licenses and Certificates of Completion

• Licensed Professional Counselor, since 2007
• Certificate in Integrative Therapies through the Integrative Music Institute
• Trained as an Adoption-Competent Mental Health Provider through C.A.S.E, Center for Adoption Support and Education.
• Certificate of Completion – Perinatal Mood Disorders through PSI

Professional Memberships

• VCA/ACA
• ASRM and the Mental Health Consortium
• Postpartum Support International
• RESOLVE