Krystal Boothe, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Wings of the Future, a mental health organization dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome their past and build a brighter future. Krystal’s personal journey is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the unwavering desire to help others.
Born and raised in Detroit, MI, Krystal grew up in an underprivileged family within an abusive home where her father had two wives. The tumultuous environment significantly impacted her education, leading to her placement in special educational classes. Despite these challenges, Krystal’s early experiences instilled in her a deep understanding of the effects of trauma and a strong desire to change her life trajectory.
As an adult, Krystal found herself caught in a cycle of abuse, becoming a victim in an abusive relationship for nine long years. “I was in an abusive relationship for nine long years, but no one could tell. I covered my pain…and suffered in silence,” she recalls. However, Krystal’s indomitable spirit led her to leave her abuser and eventually marry her current husband in 1999. Though they divorced after 14 years of marriage, their reunion three years later marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Together, they founded Wings of the Future, a symbol of hope and recovery for many.
Krystal’s professional journey began in minimum wage jobs, where she quickly realized the limitations of such positions. Determined to create a better life for herself, she utilized her 90 college credit hours to apply for a Substitute Teacher Position. For nine years, she worked in the education field, finding immense fulfillment in helping students learn and grow.
However, Krystal’s path took a significant turn when a friend recommended her for a role in the mental health field as a Case Manager for GLASS Family Services. She eagerly embraced the opportunity to work with at-risk youth, discovering her true calling in the process. This role ignited her passion for mental health and set her on the path to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Krystal’s goal has always been clear: to transform her own life and help others do the same. Through Wings of the Future, she provides crucial support and guidance to individuals, couples and families struggling with the impacts of trauma, empowering them to break free from their past and build a hopeful future.
Krystal Boothe’s life story is a powerful narrative of overcoming adversity, breaking cycles of abuse, and dedicating oneself to the betterment of others. Her work continues to inspire and transform lives, embodying the essence of resilience and the transformative power of compassion.
OUR JOURNEY
Krystal founded Wings of the Future in 2016 as a Private Practice to make a significant impact on the lives of families involved in child protective services. The positive impact Wings of the Future had on families in Los Angeles County inspired Krystal to expand the services in her community to meet the ongoing mental health needs of the population she serves.
OUR EXPANDED SERVICES
In addition to mental health services, Wings of the Future has grown to include a range of Social Responsibility programs. These programs provide essential support such as clothing, food, emergency shelter, long-term housing, educational assistance, job readiness, and case management services. Our goal is to address the multifaceted needs of our community, ensuring that families have the resources they need to thrive.
OUR MISSION
At Wings of the Future, our mission is to help families heal from trauma and transition into functional family systems. We achieve this through community psychoeducation on the correlation between attachment trauma, domestic violence, addiction, and dysfunctional family relationships. Our goal is to assist clients in developing skills for healthy and rewarding relationships, believing it is crucial for individual growth and the well-being of the families we serve.
Thank you for joining us on this journey to create a healthier and more supportive community.
CAREER EXPERIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY
My journey in mental healthcare has been deeply rooted in a commitment to assist the adolescent population in my community, a goal that I have tirelessly pursued through various roles over the past decade. My professional trajectory began with GLASS, where my focus was on supporting the youth in our community. This experience propelled me to join Optimist Mental Health as an FSP Case Manager, allowing me to extend my services to families within the same community.
The foundation of my philosophy is built on the understanding that early intervention is crucial. During my tenure at Optimist, I was fortunate to be accepted into USC, where I completed two pivotal internships. One was with Juvenile Corrections for the Department of Mental Health, and the other was with the Children’s Bureau as a therapist for families and children. These experiences underscored the significance of addressing mental health issues and trauma from a young age, thereby preventing the escalation of these issues into adulthood.
Subsequently, I worked with DMH and Juvenile Corrections as a Psychiatric Social Worker I in Lancaster for over four and half years, where I honed my skills in dealing with severe mental health issues in a challenging environment. My role as Director of Social Services for the Chronically Mentally Ill in Los Angeles allowed me to broaden my scope, culminating in my licensure as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). In this capacity, I worked as a Forensic Social Worker at Gateway Hospital’s Forensic Community Conditional Release Program, where I further developed my expertise in forensic mental health.
I then serves as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, working with dual diagnosis clients. This position propelled me to start my own private practice serving families involved int he legal system thus I founded Wings of the Future Private Practice and Wings of the Future, NFP. Over my 17 years in the mental health field, I have come to understand that the root of many emotional and psychological issues lies in unresolved childhood trauma. This trauma often manifests as emotional dysregulation in adulthood, impacting various aspects of an individual’s life.
My philosophy is centered around the belief that addressing and resolving trauma is paramount to achieving mental well-being. Through my extensive experience, I have seen firsthand how identifying and overcoming childhood trauma can transform lives. It is this transformative power of trauma-informed care that fuels my dedication to the mental health profession.
I invite you to read my interview with Relationships Are Complicated for a deeper insight into my approach and experiences in mental healthcare. Through my work, I strive to bring hope and healing to those who have been affected by trauma, and I remain committed to making a positive impact on the mental health of my community.
