The Hope and Healing Center and Institute in Houston, Texas, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Crystal Collier as the Murphy-Petersen Behavioral Health Fellow effective July 3, 2018.  Behavioral health encompasses behavioral factors in chronic illness care, care of physical symptoms associated with stress rather than diseases, and health behaviors, as well as mental health and substance use conditions and diagnoses.

Dr. Crystal Collier specializes in working with adolescents and adults suffering from mental illness, behavior disorders, and substance abuse.  She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a doctorate in counselor education.  Her area of expertise includes adolescent brain development, prevention programming, independent living skills training, parent coaching, and training new clinicians.  Dr. Collier created a comprehensive prevention model to teach the neurodevelopmental effects of risky behavior to children, teens, and parents which was selected for the 2015 Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.  In addition, Crystal teaches counseling skills and addiction classes as an adjunct professor and was awarded the Torch Bearer of the Year award in 2018 by the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals.  Her work as the new Murphy-Petersen Behavioral Health Fellow will include a publication called The Whereabouts Book to help parents understand high risk behavior which arises during different developmental stages of children and prevention tools which can be implemented.

“We are very excited to have Dr. Collier join us at the HHCI.  Her research into the prevention of high-risk behaviors in adolescents as well as her training as a licensed therapist will be a great addition to the Center,” said Dr. Matthew Stanford, CEO, Hope and Healing Center & Institute.

HHCI’s research fellows are involved in transformative research that bridges the gap between mental health and faith.  Current fellowships include:

• The Lumpkins Fellowship in Serious Mental Illness Treatment and Recovery studies the viability of new solutions for Houston’s mental health network, which should welcome all kinds of people, aspirations, families, budgets, and lifestyles.
• The McGee Fellowship in Bioethics and Aging develops programs, training and resources for health care professionals, pastors and caregivers to provide humane and compassionate care for those who are ill and/or aging.
• The Zorich Fellowship in Mental Health Policy researches local, state, and national policies and other structural factors that affect mental wellbeing within underserved communities.

Hope and Healing Center & Institute

The Hope and Healing Center & Institute is a comprehensive mental health resource dedicated to transforming lives and restoring hope through education, training, clinical services and research.

To learn more about Crystal’s Fellowship, please click here.