Hi, My name is Crystal Duncan and I’m a psychotherapist in Solana Beach, CA. I work with individuals, couples, adolescents, groups, and provide support to other therapists as well.
If you’re considering therapy you might be feeling stuck, or wondering why life is not more manageable, maybe you are even in crisis. First of all, You’re not alone, we all have adversity in life and struggle in various ways. Sometimes the struggle is beyond our skills and capacity to tolerate alone, or maybe friends and family are unsure how to be of support. Therapy is a powerful way to get support in your healing, learn more about yourself, obtain new more healthy ways to cope, and strengthen your relationships with yourself and others.
I admire the courage it takes to ask for help, and I believe investing in yourself is the greatest gift you can give yourself, your child, and or your relationships.
I am a relational therapist. This means I believe we are wired for connection, and that emotional healing happens most successfully in the context of a safe relationship with a skilled therapist, secure partner, and or open friends. I am passionate about helping people work through the healing of early attachment trauma. We hurt in relationship and we heal in relationship. My work with individuals is heavily influenced by my training in Neuroaffective Relational Model, interpersonal neurobiology, somatic experiencing, mindfulness and attachment theories. Brené Brown, PhD is also a huge influence in my life personally and professionally and much of her research informs my practice.
I have training in several couples therapy models. My work with couples is strongly influenced by Sue Johnson's Emotional focused Therapy, and Dr. Stan Tatkin’s PACT model (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy). PACT attunes to attachment, neuroscience, and nervous system regulation and helps couples develop a relationship that is secure, mutual and connected. I have also trained in the Gottman Method and find their research very informative. Esther Perel's work on desire, novelty, consistency, and infidelity is also very helpful in understanding the struggle that couples face in maintaining long term commitment.
My approach with group therapy is grounded in the idea that group is a relational workshop – an opportunity to practice expressing and tolerating emotion states, connecting with others, seeing and be seen, and more. Please see my The Daring Way page for more information on upcoming groups being offered.
My aim in working with you is to support you in fulfilling your therapeutic goals. I am committed to your personal evolution , helping you strengthen the quality of your life, improve your interpersonal relationships, improve your emotional intelligence, gain insight and understanding around your core wounds and help you to implement the necessary tools for you to be in control of your life.
I look forward to working with you and helping you to create a life that is aligned with your authentic self.
See my ABOUT page and if one of the scenarios sounds close to why you are looking for a therapist, viewing this website OR currently have those feelings: You are in the right place to begin!
Sanctuary By The Sea Counseling Services respects all persons.
Crystal Duncan, LCSW
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