We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Crystal Adkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Crystal, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

In 2009 my initial certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner allowed me to provide care to individuals age 13 and up. As an Adult Nurse Practitioner my first job was in Radiation Oncology though my passion was mental health. While I gained a great sense of fulfillment working in Radiation Oncology, I eventually transitioned my career to psychiatry. Working in mental health allowed me to work in different settings, including outpatient and inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation.

By 2016 my Adult Nurse Practitioner certification board decided to retire this track which meant if I did not complete the mandatory requirements to maintain my certification I would need to return to school to pursue another nurse practitioner certification. With my career focus being in mental health my long-term goal was to become certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. At the time, I was trying to find balance between my career and my large blended family.

My defining moment in my professional career was in 2018. My boss called me to her office to reduce my hours from full-time to part-time. I knew our company was downsizing however, I still found this change shocking and disappointing. After I had time to process my feelings, I was able to see the silver lining in my situation. I could embrace my part-time position and return to school to complete my post-master’s certification in psychiatric mental health.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was introduced to nursing as a career option in high school. I lived in a small town just West of Gainesville, Florida called Bell. My high school offered the Academy of Health Related Professions which is a career and technical education program that provides hands-on training in healthcare-related fields to help students prepare for careers in entry-level healthcare positions. In high school I became a Certified Nursing Assistant. I was also a member of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) which is an international student organization dedicated to preparing and empowering young people interested in pursuing careers in the healthcare industry. By the time I graduated high school and entered college, nursing seemed like a great path for me.

At the age of twenty-two I graduated from nursing school and passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (RN). I started working for Shands Hospital, a major teaching hospital in Gainesville, Florida on an orthopedic med-surg unit. I remember being so terrified by everything I didn’t know as a brand new nurse. My greatest fear was making a mistake that could cost someone their life. Thankfully, I was blessed to have an amazing preceptor with a lot of experience guide me. The biggest lesson she taught me was to never be afraid to ask questions. This is a lesson that I still embrace today.

After working in med-surg for a few years I transitioned to the psychiatric hospital. At the time it was called Shands at Vista. This is where my passion for psychiatric nursing blossomed. In my mid-twenties I loved my job but life happened and I moved from North Florida down to South Florida. I took a position as a travel nurse working in oncology because my nursing recruiter advised against working inpatient psych in South Florida. I was not excited to leave my career as a psychiatric nurse but looking back, I gained so much from my time working in oncology including many life long friends.

Fast forward to my career advancement as a nurse practitioner, I was able to jump back into my preferred niche of psychiatry. Over the years I dreamed of having a boutique-style psychiatric practice aimed at providing exceptional mental health care. With the encouragement of a colleague from the substance abuse treatment industry I decided to take the steps to make my dream become my reality!

On May 4, 2021 I opened my private pay psychiatric practice! With the support of my mentors and collaborating psychiatrist my goal is to tailor treatment to the needs of my clients rather than allow insurance companies to dictate their plan of care. I offer psychiatric evaluations and medication management across the lifespan. I enjoy working with individuals struggling to live the life they desire. My ideal client is someone who is motivated to make sustainable change. Helping individuals move from contemplation and awareness to taking action and maintaining positive changes in their mental wellness is a valuable and rewarding endeavor.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I believe my efforts at being authentic with my clients has helped me succeed in my private practice. People are feeling vulnerable and often at their worst when they reach out to me. They are looking for someone to connect with on a personal level, free of judgement. I strive to create a safe place for my clients to feel comfortable while sharing their innermost thoughts, feelings and concerns. I do my best to be empathetic and validate their emotions and struggles. I find this also helps to reduce the shame and stigma around seeking treatment. I am frequently told by my clients that I am relatable and not intimidating, making them feel better about opening up with me. I believe this enhances communication and treatment outcomes. I work with my clients to establish a plan they believe in. I like to consider myself their mental health cheerleader!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I was 29 years old life seemed perfect. I was married with a 13 month old daughter and six months pregnant with a little boy. My husband was an attorney with big dreams of being the first Cuban-American president! Without warning everything changed when he died at age 29 from Sudden Cardiac Death. One minute everything was “perfect” and the next my entire world shattered. My husband’s sudden death left me feeling scared, alone, even hopeless. How was it possible for me to be a mother, pregnant and widowed? The early months following his death were so bleak and dark. I wanted to give up on everything to be with my husband. However, I had my little girl and baby boy on the way. I had to focus on getting out of bed for them. I eventually started working with a grief therapist who helped me on my journey of life after loss. When my husband died I was working in radiation oncology. I found it difficult to be around death and dying and decided I need to change my career path. This was my segway back into psychiatry. Now, several years later I look back in amazement at my resilience. I am so proud of myself for pushing on when I felt like my world was over. I am now remarried to a widower with children of his own. While this is not the life I imagined so many years ago, it is still a beautiful life full of hope and promise. I named my practice Brighter Life Psychiatry because no matter how devastating life seems, if you are committed to change; a Brighter Life is possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brighterlifepsychiatry.com/
• Instagram: @brighter.life.psychiatry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brighterlifepsychiatry/

Image Credits
Barbini Photography