There is not a day that goes by where I don't think about how lucky I am to have Cristal as my therapist. What I have learned in the last two years about myself and healing my trauma from years of elite sport training/body dysmorphia/unhealthy generational patterns of past and present has gone beyond anything I could comprehend, entering other parts of my past and my spiritual side I could never have gone without her guidance. Even things I thought were part of me forever that I had to live with, have a place and ability to change. 'Aware Aligned Awake' isn't just a name- I've come to realize that is what I've become and what I continue to become with every session, building more and more on that sentiment every time. What I love about Cristal is there is never any judgement, never a wrong answer, never any shame and only an open and welcoming place where I feel safe every single time. I've told many of my friends about Cristal and the absolute unicorn of an experience she and her practice is, and her name has become a common term among us… "It's like your Cristal", "It's like a Cristal moment", all to define positive and special life changing moments. I wish everyone could have a Cristal.
-Ren MacDonald Balasia
Pippa Galea - "I was broken beyond repair"
I've been working with Cristal for just over 3 years now I came to her after trying many different types of therapy and trauma work I even worked with 2 other somatic practitioners before I found her. If anyone had told me three years ago when I first started working with her where I might be right now I would have laughed.. I honestly thought I was broken beyond repair. I realize those thoughts were only a figment in my imagination, a conditioning I'd taken onboard and not MY truth. Cristal held me in my shame, sadness, grief and anger as I worked all these knots out of my system. Of course I'm still a work in progress but after spending so many years in therapy with nothing changing the work we have done together has been a blessing. Cristal is kind, compassionate, big hearted and most of all totally awesome !!!!!! Words can not express the gratitude I have for having found her !!
-Pippa Galea
Kristin Bovre - BEDRIDDEN WITH VERTIGO AND MIGRAINE
There is so much to say about the work I've been doing with the guidance of Cristal. I was stricken with a case of vertigo and migraine pain that had me bed ridden for over 60 days. Doing the S.E. work with my nervous system has been the utmost beneficial work I have done in my life. I have 35 years of sobriety and have had many years of talk therapy. I suffer from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Cristal had been able to help uncouple or unstick my issues at a cellular level. It is mind blowing for me to heal my nervous system so that I can slowly return to my life. I appreciate and love her even though I've never hugged her 😀 she is an amazing healer!
-Kristin Bovre
Colleen M. - "I WAS PREGNANT AND HAVING DAILY PANIC ATTACKS"
It's hard for me to put into words how much Cristal has changed - and saved - my life. When I first started Somatic Experiencing with her, I was pregnant and having daily panic attacks, completely overwhelmed and barely functioning, suddenly confronting feelings and memories I thought I'd long since processed. Since that time she's lovingly and skillfully guided me from some of my darkest days to my most precious ones - where I feel stronger, safer, and more at home in my body, and more deeply connected to those I love and the world around me. I am in awe of her intelligence and insight, and her capacity for holding space for whatever comes up. Whenever I fully take in and enjoy life - the sound of my baby's laughter, the breeze on my skin, a restorative afternoon nap - without worry, guilt, shame, or anxiety, I offer Cristal a little silent prayer of thank you.
-Colleen M.
Sylvia A. Carter - "I HAD NO OPTIMISM LEFT"
My journey with Cristal began with an email I sent with a subject line that read, "Please help." I had reached my trauma threshold of tolerance and I could no longer hide from it or suppress it. My relationships were failing, I was performing poorly at work, and I had no optimism left. I was raging with righteousness and without any couth. Cristal helped me to discover the amazing gift of feeling into my body and connecting with my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I used to think that there would always be some amount of suffering in my life. But somatic experiencing has allowed me to become released from horrific memories of my past. I no longer feel alone and can move through the pain to wisdom. Now, I am more centered and calm than ever before. I am grateful beyond words. Working with Cristal has been a miracle and I am excited to see what else life brings my way.
-Sylvia A. Carter
Sheri Gleason - "REGAINING MY LIFE FORCE"
Two years after completing surgery and finishing radiation and chemotherapy for breast cancer, I was eager to regain strength and function. My acupuncturist highly recommended Cristal. Cristal has been instrumental to me in regaining my life force. Cristal is an artisan bringing knowledge, versatility and intuition to her healing practice. One year later I can truly say I am better and stronger-physically, mentally and emotionally. With deep gratitude for the work we have done and continue to do.
-Sheri Gleason, RN, BSN
I feel like a new person! I am so grateful to have met Cristal!
-Lynne Jenson, Math Teacher Vancouver, B.C.
Kristin Hauser- "accupuncturist"Working with Cristal has been essential support for me as a mother of three and a business owner. With Cristal's support, I've recovered from post viral illness, moved through some big ancestral patterns and overcome many adversities around building a business alongside raising a family. Her approach is grounded and compassionate.
- Kristin Hauser
Katie Silcox - "I would highly recommend her"Cristal is one of the most skilled therapists I've ever met. Her capacity to contain both intellectual knowledge and seemingly endless compassion aids any transformation process immensely. I would highly recommend her for anyone who struggles with anxiety, depression, attachment issues, ptsd or any nervous system imbalance (so basically, everyone). Beyond her skills as a practitioner, Cristal is also a spiritual powerhouse, adept at weaving subtle energy work into science and method. I can't recommend her enough.
-Katie Silcox - Shakti School Founder