Complex Trauma Therapy in Texas
Dr. Crystal Benjamin, PhD., CFLE, LMFT - Associate
(Supervised by Julia Wesley, LMFT-S)
I’m an autoimmune disease survivor who understands how long-term stress and early experiences live in the body, no matter how long ago they were.
Are you overwhelmed on the inside?
Do you know something is off, but can’t fully explain why?
Complex trauma often develops quietly over time. Many clients are outwardly successful, capable, and responsible, while privately struggling with anxiety, burnout, or emotional swings.
Clients Come to Me When They Experience
Anxiety, burnout, or overthinking
Trouble sleeping
Their relationship with money
Distrust of others
Body dissociation
Feeling stuck
If you’re ready to understand the root of these symptoms, turn to complex trauma therapy.
How Complex Trauma Therapy With Me Works
Complex trauma therapy is not about reliving the past. It’s about understanding how earlier experiences shaped you, and helping you respond differently.
In our sessions, you’ll get tools, emotional education, and body-based awareness because this change can’t just happen intellectually.
Modalities I use
Somatic Techniques
Helps you tune into your body’s cues so you can respond instead of dissociate or react.
Solution Focused Therapy
Keeps therapy grounded in what you want to change now, not just what happened then.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Identifies patterns of thinking that maintain guilt, shame, or unrealistic expectations.
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Supports you in making room for difficult thoughts while choosing actions aligned with your values.
Mindfulness And Breath Techniques
Helps regulate your nervous system and reduce chronic stress responses.
Emotional Education
Builds language for emotions so you can connect the dots between triggers, reactions, and choices.
“Healing complex trauma is about responding to life with intention instead of from your survival instincts.”
Redefine Your Life
Therapy helps you feel more grounded and confident.
After Complex Trauma Therapy, My Clients Report
Patterns stop repeating
More motivation and level headed
Sleeping easier
Understand + control emotions better
Increased confidence, less rumination
Better at choosing partners
About Dr. Benjamin
Dr. Crystal Benjamin, PhD., CFLE, LMFT - Associate (Supervised by Julia Wesley, LMFT-S)
I‘m a therapist, professor, and scholar, and do this work because I genuinely enjoy people and want to help others come out on the other side of the struggle.
My work is shaped by both clinical training and lived experience. I understand how chronic stress, illness, and early emotional wounds influence how we move through the world.
Therapy with me is thoughtful, honest, and relational. We explore patterns, slow things down when needed, and build skills that help you move from reaction to choice. Some sessions are reflective. Others are direct and practical. All are grounded in respect and curiosity.
Outside of therapy, I like staying active, especially with the gym and crossfit. I’m a self admitted “big shopper” and also have the travel bug - including hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to rim and I’ve recently returned from riding the trains in the Swiss Alps.
I’m originally from Trinidad and Tobago and know firsthand how major life changes reshape identity and relationships.
Availability: I provide online sessions for clients in Texas and Trinidad & Tobago
Education
Ph.D. in Family Studies, Loma Linda University
M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy, Loma Linda University
B.S. in Behavioral Sciences with an Emphasis in Psychology, Andrews University
A.S. in General Business, Andrews University
Credentials
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate – Texas License No. 206086 (Supervised by Julia Wesley, LMFT-S)
Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)
Trainings
Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1 & Level 2
Gottman Method: Treating Affairs and Trauma
Youth Mental Health First Aid USA
Education & Credentials
Contact Me
Fill out the contact form. If I am not the right fit, I will help guide you toward next steps.
Brief Consultation
We’ll connect briefly to see if this work feels like a good match.
First Session
We begin building safety, understanding patterns, and identifying goals for therapy.
You don’t have to carry this alone.