Cristal Garcialobato, LMFT is a therapist at Little Otter with eight years of experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, caregivers, and foster families. Her career has spanned a variety of clinical settings, including intensive outpatient programs, Substance Use Disorder inpatient and outpatient care, DCFS foster family programs, and crisis intervention through an Urgent Care Behavioral Health Center. She has also worked extensively in school settings, directly supporting students in grades K–8 as the lead of a Social Emotional Learning Department. Through these diverse experiences—as well as personal growth and learning—Cristal strives to provide others with the tools to foster self-acceptance and personal development. Her approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), all tailored to each individual’s unique assessment, treatment plan, and therapeutic goals. She believes that a client-centered approach, tailored to fit each individual’s needs, offers a supportive environment where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered to engage in self-discovery and growth. Cristal's therapeutic work is guided by the belief that clients, caregivers, and families are the true experts of their journey. She is committed to creating a space where individuals feel heard, respected, and supported, grounded in compassion, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. Through a strong and positive therapeutic relationship, she collaborates with clients and their families to define treatment goals that support meaningful and lasting change. Outside of her work as a therapist, Cristal finds great joy in being a mother and partner. She has two beautiful daughters who keep her on her toes and a loving partner who supports both her personal and professional goals. She reconnects with herself through self-care activities like exercising, trying new restaurants, spending time in nature, and indulging in sweet desserts. Cristal is a first-generation college graduate and proudly identifies as Mexican American. She is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish, and brings a culturally attuned lens to her work with individuals and families.