Dr. Crystal Hernandez, PSY.D.

Dr. Crystal Hernandez, Psy.D., MBA, is a psychologist by training and a seasoned administrator with decades of leadership across complex mental health systems. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Crystal Hernandez Consulting LLC, where she provides expert analysis, drafting, and strategic guidance for private attorneys, law firms, and public entities on individual cases, policy development, and system implementation. Her work centers on forensic mental health, justice, and crisis response systems, with a particular focus on large-scale structural reform.

Dr. Hernandez has led historic efforts to build and modernize forensic mental health systems within Tribal Nations following McGirt v. Oklahoma, including the development and implementation of statutes addressing emergency detention, juvenile justice, criminal responsibility, insanity, and adjudicative competency. Her work spans crisis response within law enforcement and justice systems, the creation of justice-based mental health programming, specialty court development, and the design of inpatient psychiatric hospitals, stabilization systems, and Tribal justice centers, including jails and juvenile detention facilities. She also supports law enforcement wellness initiatives, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program launches in Tribal law enforcement, and provides ongoing assistance related to officer-involved incidents. She is recognized for her expertise in behavioral health operations, forensic mental health, and autism advocacy, with a career dedicated to strengthening access, equity, and quality of care for diverse and underserved populations. In her current role, she provides strategic advisement to Tribal nations, governmental entities, justice systems, and behavioral health organizations, focusing on systems improvement, policy development, competency processes, crisis frameworks, and person-centered service design.

Additionally, Dr. Hernandez is a respected advocate for individuals with autism and neurodevelopmental differences, emphasizing culturally responsive and lifespan-oriented supports. She is a frequent speaker and educator on mental health equity, disability inclusion, trauma-informed systems, and cross-jurisdictional collaboration. Dr. Hernandez holds a Psy.D., MBA, and multiple credentials supporting her interdisciplinary work. Her leadership continues to advance resilient, accountable, and inclusive behavioral health systems.