Krysttel Stryczek, MFT, CLC
Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Lactation Counselor
I’ve always loved working with families during pregnancy, postpartum, and the early parenting years, even before becoming a mother myself.
There’s so much excitement (most of the time...along with a bit of nervousness or fear).
You have so many dreams for what the future of your growing family might look like.
It can be really disappointing when the reality doesn’t live up to the dream.
There are highs and lows, just like other major transitions in your life. (Remember puberty? Getting married?)
Even if this isn’t your first child, it’s a little different each time. The surprises can shake your confidence.
This is where I come in to support families to find their own way. Wherever you are in your life and parenting journey, I offer a non-judgmental space for you to be open and real about what it’s been like becoming a parent and where you would like to be.
Even on the days when you’re tired, angry, covered in spit up, and got peed on while changing a diaper- I see you are trying your best to be a good parent and partner.
You’re not in this alone.
Let’s work together to help you build a better life for you and your family. Schedule a free consultation to talk with me about how I can help.
What I am like as a therapist
I’m an active therapist.
I won’t just sit and stare at you for an hour, saying mhmm and leave you wondering whether I am really paying attention or thinking about what I am making for dinner later.
I will ask you questions to help you dive deeper into your experience and thought process.
I will give reflections on what I am hearing and ask you if I got it right. I want you to tell me if I get it wrong.
Therapy involves trying new things and doing things differently--because the same old stuff just isn’t working anymore. We will practice new skills in session together.
I’m a therapist that wants to work with you:
I believe it’s important for you to make informed decisions, so I will share with you what I understand about research evidence and the different options available to you. This is to help you find what fits for YOU and YOUR family, whether that means you will continue working with me or need to work with someone else. I don’t expect you to take my word, I share information sources and give guidance so that you can draw your own conclusions. I want you to be empowered and confident in your decisions.
I value your expertise, the importance of your partner and family, and the other members of your healthcare team.
I welcome your feedback on what’s working well and what’s not working, so we can make adjustments to help you achieve your goals.
I’m the type of therapist that gives homework:
I wish there was a more exciting word for homework, but that’s it - I give you work to do outside of sessions.
Breaking out of the old patterns keeping you stuck takes work outside of our regular sessions. Completing work outside of sessions can help with this.
Everyone has different learning styles. So homework can include:
trying new activities to change your routines and interactions with your partner or baby,
reading an article or blog post,
watching a TedTalk or YouTube clip,
or completing worksheets to help you apply what we do during therapy to your life outside of sessions.
Clients who see results with me are engaged and motivated to make the changes necessary to get to where they want to be.
Change can be hard. We all get stuck. When you get stuck, we will slow down and uncover the blocks… and I will probably give you some homework.
We will visit your past, while staying grounded in the present to create a new future
We won’t talk aimlessly about the problem-of-the-week or your past childhood experiences. When we talk about the past, it will be to help you gain a new understanding of your patterns and relationships so you can take control of your present and build a more fulfilling family life.
My Story (and Why I LOVE to offer online therapy)
I am a Latina mother, wife of a veteran, and former military brat. Professionally, I wear just as many hats: I am a researcher, a therapist, and family educator.
After our first baby was born, we had a lot of medical appointments. We lived in an area with really bad traffic. Between seeing the lactation consultant, my doctor’s appointments, and our baby’s doctors appointments--It could take 45 minutes just to drive to and from appointments, and that’s not even counting the amount of time it took just to get ready to leave the house for the day. Of course that was after multiple changes of clothing because of pee, poop, or spit-up incidents before walking out the door.
As a new mom trying to figure out how to breastfeed and take care of a newborn, this was STRESSFUL. My husband and I needed help with all the stuff that happens outside of those appointments; we needed help putting all the planning and information into action when we were home. (Because we were sleep deprived, right?)
This is where having the option of getting in-home parenting support and therapy was a life-saver!
We needed the help of all of these amazing professionals during this time. And having the option to get help without leaving the house made it possible!
We have three children now, and a lot has changed. Yet, some things haven’t: someone always need to poop before we walk out the door, and even though there’s less traffic— the driving around to take care of everyone’s needs, even my own, is still daunting.
I offer online therapy, so you can have access to the help you need from home, no matter if you live in the city, suburbs, or country. I want to make it a little easier for you to fit self-care into your busy week.
All you need is an electronic device, an internet connection, and enough privacy to feel comfortable to talk with me about what’s going on.
Credentials
Marriage & Family Therapist, #M.1700037, State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board
Certified Lactation Counselor, ALPP #308558, The Academy of Lactation Policy & Practice (ALPP)
Education
Post-Graduate Certificate, Medical Family Therapy, Seattle Pacific University
Master of Arts in Psychology, Couples & Family Therapy, Antioch University Seattle
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Austin Peay State University
Select Presentations & Publications
Marshall V, Stryczek KC, Haverhals L, Young J, Au DH, Ho PM, Kaboli PJ, Kirsh S, & Sayre G (2021) The Focus They Deserve: Improving Women Veterans' Health Care Access. Womens Health Issues. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2020.12.011. Abstract.
Keddem S, Solomon P, Schapira M, Marcus S, Stryczek K, & Mattocks K (2019, Nov.) Disparities in breastfeeding among women veterans. Presented at the American Public Health Association's 2019 Annual Meeting and Expo (Nov. 2 - Nov. 6).
McGinn MM, Hoerster KD, Stryczek KC, Malte CA, & Jakupcak M (2017) Relationship satisfaction, PTSD symptom severity, and mental healthcare utilization among OEF/OIF veterans. Journal of Family Psychology, 31(1),111-116. doi: 10.1037/fam0000224. Abstract
For more information about my research and other professional activities, visit my LinkedIn profile and PubMed.
Activities & Affiliations
Continuing Education
Gottman Couples Therapy Level 1
Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy Externship
Gottman Seven Principles Program Leader
Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator
I regularly participate in trainings focused on women’s health, pregnancy and postpartum maternal and family mental health, military/Veterans and family, and more to help me improve the services I offer to you and your family.
Disclosures: I am licensed to provide mental health services under the supervision of an independently licensed, Ohio-approved supervisor. Supervision is only required for the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.My supervisor’s name is Zoey Holguin, IMFT-S (#F.1500009-SUPV). My supervisor is held to the same laws and rules I am to protect your confidentiality. A detailed description of my policies and practices for protecting the privacy of client’s health information can be accessed here, clients will also be given a copy when they begin services. The license of a Social Worker, Counselor, or Marriage and Family Therapist can be verified through the online license look up found at elicense.ohio.gov.
