Verena McCrae

Growing up in the tropics of Venezuela, South America, I learned to value our innate connection to nature from an early age. As a kid, my family and I explored the wild, visiting places like the Amazon Rainforest, the mountains as well as many days spent on the many beaches surrounding us. Feeling the ways in which we are connected to the natural world instilled a deep sense of appreciation for the nature from an early age. Now, as a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this appreciation has become central to my practice; just like in the wild, our bodies, organ systems and emotions are intertwined, and when we fall out of this connection, we start to feel unwell and see signs of an unhealthy internal environment. Despite leaving my homeland for Canada at age 11, Venezuela left a lasting impression on me and taught me the importance of connecting with the land. This reverence for nature led me to find my passion for health and wellness; first, I studied my bachelor of psychology at McMaster University. Then, upon moving to Vancouver Island to be closer to the mountains and ocean, I received my acupuncture license in 2010. Discovering TCM made me feel like my world made more sense. This new lens—one which reinforced the intuitive knowing that we are part of nature—inspired me to continue my studies at Pacific Rim College in Victoria, BC, where I became a doctor of TCM in 2015. I relate to this way of health and wellness with every single part of me. I love how this ancient approach to medicine supports the mind, body, and spirit—helping to address not only physical ailments, but their emotional and spiritual roots, too. Each of us has the ability to heal, and I am honoured to facilitate this process of healing within my patients. I work with those who are invested in their health and want to feel a greater sense of ease, balance, and connection in their bodies and in life.