Motivational Interviewing – Tools to Engage Clients and Evoke Change

Marginalised communities struggling with trauma, human trafficking, and systemic oppression need clinicians who understand both lived experience and evidence-based healing approaches. Crystal Rozelle-Bennett brings a unique perspective as both a professional trauma expert and self-proclaimed "Trauma Thryver" - someone who has transformed her own experiences of childhood trauma and familial human trafficking into powerful advocacy and clinical expertise.

As founder and CEO of THRYVE, LLC, and adjunct professor at Florida State University and Southwestern College, Rozelle-Bennett has spent over 20 years working with marginalised youth and families. Her deep commitment to anti-oppressive healing, cultural humility, and trauma-informed care stems from personal experience with systems that often retraumatise the communities they're meant to serve. She was the first in her family to attend college, transforming her lived experience into professional expertise that bridges clinical knowledge with authentic understanding of marginalised communities.

Rozelle-Bennett's expertise spans human trafficking, racial trauma, suicide prevention, child welfare, DEI initiatives, and culturally responsive therapy approaches. Her work addresses the intersection of individual trauma and systemic oppression, showing clinicians how historical trauma, racism, and marginalisation compound personal healing challenges. She specialises in training professionals to recognise when traditional therapeutic approaches may miss or inadvertently harm clients from marginalised backgrounds.

What sets her training apart is authentic integration of lived experience with clinical wisdom. Rozelle-Bennett doesn't just teach about trauma - she demonstrates how personal healing journeys inform professional practice. Her approach helps clinicians understand the difference between resilience myths that blame survivors and genuine trauma-informed care that addresses systemic barriers to healing.

For your practice, expect to gain specific skills in working with trafficking survivors, tools for addressing racial trauma, and frameworks for providing culturally responsive care to marginalised communities. Her methods particularly benefit clinicians working with clients who have experienced systemic oppression, complex trauma, or those who distrust traditional mental health systems.

Quick Win: Rozelle-Bennett's "cultural trauma inventory" helps clinicians quickly assess how clients' marginalised identities intersect with their presenting concerns - often revealing treatment barriers and strengths that traditional assessments miss.

Qualifications

• MSW, Social Work/Child Welfare, Florida State University, 2015
• BA, Psychology, Wells College, 2003
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• 20+ years experience working with marginalised youth and families
• Specialised training in human trafficking, suicide prevention, motivational interviewing

Teaching & Roles

• Founder & CEO, THRYVE, LLC, Menifee, CA, 2014–present
• Adjunct Professor, Florida State University, 2022–present (Trauma Informed Social Work Practice)
• Adjunct Professor, Southwestern College, NM, 2022–present (MultiCultural Counseling)
• Executive Director, The Lantern Project, 2021–2022
• Executive Director, Seattle Against Slavery, 2021

Professional Experience

• Director of Human Services, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, 2021
• Associate Executive Director, Cornerstones of Care, Leavenworth, KS, 2020–2021
• Training Specialist, Cornerstones of Care, Kansas City, MO, 2018–2020
• Youth Director, Navy Region Southwest Fleet, Family & Child Programs, San Diego, CA, 2016–2018
• Health Science Specialist - Crisis Hotline Responder, VA Medical Center, Topeka, KS, 2018

Speaking & Training

• Keynote speaker nationwide on trauma, human trafficking, and DEI topics
• POWER Conference presenter (2021)
• Professional trainer with 20+ years experience
• Educational content creator and workshop facilitator
• Expert in lived experience/survivor advocacy

Ready to serve marginalised communities with cultural responsiveness and authentic understanding? Discover how Crystal Rozelle-Bennett's trauma-informed, anti-oppressive methods can transform your ability to create healing spaces for clients who have been failed by traditional systems.