Chrystal Hamilton-Dorelien

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and co-founder of The Pineheart Center, with nearly 20 years of experience supporting adults through trauma, attachment-related concerns, relationship challenges, and life transitions. My professional background spans nonprofit, clinical, and healthcare settings, which informs a grounded, compassionate, and relational approach to therapy.

I hold a Master’s degree in Social Work and am also a Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator. In addition to traditional clinical training, I am a Certified Narrative Enneagram Practitioner, and I thoughtfully integrate this framework when helpful to support self-understanding, emotional awareness, and relational insight.

I primarily work with adults and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, complex trauma, identity exploration, relationship dynamics, and stress related to caregiving or high-responsibility roles. I value creating a space where clients feel seen as whole people—honoring both their struggles and their strengths.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and curiosity-driven. I believe meaningful change happens when clients feel emotionally safe, deeply understood, and empowered to explore their inner experiences without judgment. Therapy is a shared process—one where we slow things down, notice patterns, and make sense of experiences together.

I draw from trauma-informed, psychodynamic, humanistic, and mindfulness-based approaches, and I often incorporate narrative and reflective practices. For clients who are interested, I may integrate Enneagram-informed insights as a tool for increasing self-compassion and awareness—not as a label, but as a way to understand motivations, coping strategies, and relational patterns.

Rather than focusing only on symptom reduction, I support clients in developing insight, emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of agency and connection to their values.

In our first session, you can expect a welcoming, grounded, and supportive space. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what feels most important right now, and what you hope to gain from our work together. There’s no pressure to share everything at once—we’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

I’ll ask thoughtful questions to better understand your experiences, strengths, and current challenges, and I’ll also invite you to ask any questions about therapy or my approach. Together, we’ll begin identifying goals and what support may be most helpful moving forward.

My aim is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, respected, and clearer about whether I’m the right fit for you.