Hi, I’m Crystal

I was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and grew up on the beautiful traditional unceded territory of the Lkwungen speaking people known as Victoria, BC. As a mixed-race teenager and member of the African diaspora growing up in Victoria, I struggled to feel a sense of belonging and connection to this place, so decided to move to a more diverse Montreal after finishing high school. I completed my undergraduate degree (Honours Psychology/Sociology Major) at Concordia University in 2006 before moving to Japan, where I lived and taught English for three years. Since returning to Victoria in 2010, I have been fortunate and humbled to strengthen my sense of home and belonging through building meaningful relationships with land, community, spirituality, and most importantly myself.

In my spare time you can find me caring for my two small children and dog, going for walks and hikes, practicing meditation, listening to live music, connecting and laughing with friends, building community and sharing my favourite quotes.

I have worked with children, youth, families, and communities for two decades in a number of areas:

  • mental health including anxiety, depression, emotion regulation challenges, trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder

  • individuals with diverse abilities and neurodiverse individuals

  • across cultures and with newcomer immigrants and refugees

  • with 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals

  • teens struggling with substance use, homelessness, and involved with child protection

  • survivors of sexual assault