Meet Crystal James

About

Hi, I’m Crystal (she/her) - a registered clinical social worker raised on the unceded territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) as well as the WSÁNEĆ peoples, also known as Victoria, BC. I was born in Trinidad and Tobago and have lived in Montreal and Japan. My life’s journey across cultures has deeply shaped my commitment to authenticity, diversity, and decolonization in healing.

I completed my Master of Social work at UVic in 2015 then spent seven years working in a community child and youth mental health setting. Prior to joining the counselling team with Student Wellness in the fall of 2026, I worked as a practicum coordinator and sessional instructor for the School of Child & Youth Care.

I enjoy spending time in nature, meditation, community building, connecting with friends and listening to music as well as mothering my two children and snuggling with my sweet little dog Spencer the Chiweenie!

Counselling approach

I bring in systems, attachment theory, and a somatic lens to my work. My approach is person-centered and rooted in anti-oppressive practice and social justice frameworks. I often incorporate mindfulness and compassion practices in sessions with clients I see.

I greatly value authenticity and have found that, when I’m able to show up in a way that is genuine, it gives others permission to do the same. So often we feel a need to hide our true selves due to fear of judgment and a desire for validation. When you meet with me you are free to bring your whole perfectly imperfect self.

I believe that diversity is a community’s strength and I have been privileged to work with diverse populations including Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, immigrants and refugeespeople with diverse abilities including neurodiverse individuals, as well as LGBTQ2S+ individuals.

I am committed to decolonization. Ways I try to decolonize my practice include prioritizing reading and learning from Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) as well as valuing non-Western approaches to healing.

I draw on a number of modalities with clients I see including:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Somatic Informed Therapy

Areas of interest

Some areas of interest:

• Stress and anxiety
• Low mood or depression
• Trauma
• Relationship challenges
• Grief and loss
• Emotion regulation