Counseling for high-achieving women in Los Angeles
Helping the “strong friend” who’s exhausted from people-pleasing, overgiving, and carrying everyone else’s needs.
From the outside, you look like you have it together. We both know the inside is a different story.
You're thoughtful, dependable, and the person others count on. You genuinely care about the people in your life—but somewhere along the way, you've started putting everyone else's needs ahead of your own.
You replay conversations, worry about disappointing others, and say yes when you wish you could say no. Setting boundaries feels uncomfortable, and prioritizing yourself often brings guilt. On the outside, you appear calm and capable. Inside, you're exhausted, anxious, and wondering why caring so much feels so heavy.
These patterns are common among women struggling with people-pleasing, anxiety, burnout, and chronic stress. The good news? They can change.
Therapy can help you quiet self-doubt, set healthy boundaries without guilt, strengthen self-trust, and create relationships where your needs matter, too.
How I Can Help
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Anxiety & Overthinking
For the high-functioning adult whose mind never fully clocks out. We work to quiet the mental noise, break the perfectionism loop, and build a relationship with your thoughts that doesn't exhaust you. Using evidence-based approaches including CBT and somatic techniques, we address the root — not just the symptoms.
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Burnout & Boundaries
For the person who has been everyone else's resource for so long, they've lost track of their own needs. This isn't about adding a self-care routine — it's about restructuring how you communicate and how much of yourself you give away. We rebuild your capacity from the inside out.
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Couples Therapy for High Achieving Partners
For the couple who has mastered everything except each other. When two driven people share a life, the relationship often becomes the last thing that gets tended to. Using Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we move you from logistics partners back to genuine partners — without asking you to sacrifice ambition to do it.
Hi, I'm Crystal!
I’m a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (#145886) employed by Finding Guidance Behavioral Services, practicing under the clinical supervision of Dr. Jennifer Vargas Pemberton, Licensed Psychologist (#PSY15438). My expertise is working with creatives, helping professionals and entrepreneurs.
In my work as a therapist, I focus on helping clients reconnect with a sense of agency, clarity, and self-trust as they navigate life’s challenges. I take a collaborative approach—working alongside clients to clarify goals, understand underlying patterns, and develop supportive strategies that feel both practical and sustainable. My style is grounded, compassionate, and nonjudgmental, creating space for meaningful insight and real-world change.
Get in Touch
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, online therapy is available to California residents. All sessions take place using secure, HIPAA-compliant technology to ensure confidentiality and privacy.
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I am currently only accepting private-pay clients.
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The consultation is a space for you to learn more about how I work and to ask any questions you may have. We’ll briefly talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, your main concerns, and what you’re hoping to gain, so we can decide if working together feels like a good fit.
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Each session is scheduled for 50 minutes.
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Every therapy journey is unique. We will periodically check in on your goals and progress to ensure therapy continues to meet your needs. The goal is for you to feel confident using the tools and insights gained in therapy so that, over time, sessions can become less frequent and you can move forward independently.
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Sliding scale fees may be available on a limited, case-by-case basis. For more information, please contact the office directly at (818) 408-9284.
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Finding Guidance Behavioral Services request cancellations for scheduled appointments 24 hours in advance. If you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment you will be charged a $75 fee.