Hi, I’m Verena

Dr. TCM, RA.C, B.A.

I help you reconnect with your body’s natural wisdom through a holistic approach to wellness.

When we create balance within, we create balance collectively.

The deeper I study Traditional Chinese Medicine, the more this makes sense.

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—often referred to as the lungs of the planet.

Feeling the ways in which we are connected to the natural world instilled a deep sense of gratitude for the earth from an early age. Now, as a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this gratitude has become central to my practice; just like in the wild, our bodies, systems, organs, and emotions are intertwined, and when we fall out of this connection, we start to feel unwell and see signs of an unhealthy 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, not separate—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 remembrance.

I work with those who are invested in their long term health and want to feel a greater sense of ease, balance, and connection in life. I welcome all ages in my practice, offering acupuncture, gua sha and facial wellness, herbal medicine, and pregnancy support to those who are ready to transform. You can find me at Westshore Massage in Langford, BC, where I offer direct billing to insurance providers like DND, Pacific Blue Cross, Canada Life, Manulife, Greenshield, and Telus Health Insurances.

If you’re curious about how TCM can help you, don’t hesitate to reach out. Or, if you’re ready to connect, go ahead and book a session.

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client testimonials

What people are saying

Testimonials

Incredibly knowledgeable and in tune with the patient’s needs. Caring, excellent bedside manners. She has become and important member of my health care providers.

— David B-A.

Verena is amazing for Acupuncture treatments. Extremely warm and friendly, and very experienced - even other Acupuncturists go to see her. Highly recommended!

— K.W.

Verena is a caring and supportive TCM practitioner with years of knowledge. She creates specific treatment plans and explains what we are trying to do. She checks in and answers emails promptly. She is always aware of where my comfort level is at during and between treatments. I recommend her wholeheartedly.

— Laura H.

Doctor McCrae is intuitive, professional, kind and she knows what she’s doing. She has assisted me through multiple injuries particularly shoulder and low back. She’s earned my trust and loyalty. Highly recommended. I should also mention I am, ahem, a bit apprehensive of needles. That should speak volumes to how much I value Doctor McCrae.

— Michael A.

Verena always goes the extra step to make you feel supported, heard and comforted during her sessions. She has supported me through both acute and chronic issues over the past few years and is absolutely wonderful.

— Meghan K.

I have been seeing Dr Verena for acupuncture/TCM for a few years to help support both my physical and emotional body. She is an incredible practitioner and human. She has an obvious intuition and innate knowledge of the body and how everything is connected and wants to heal.

Most recently I have been seeing her for pregnancy support with baby number 2. She was one of the first people I told I was pregnant. Over the past 9 months I have felt seen and heard as I navigated the emotional and physical aspects of pregnancy through treatment with her. She brings in a level of professionalism with a deep compassion and an ability to be so present with you that you feel like you're speaking with your best friend.

From prenatal anxiety, morning sickness, back aches, acid reflux to preparing for labour and all that falls in between, Verena has been able to support with both needles, cupping, ideas for home care as well as just allowing me to feel heard. I can not say enough good things about Verena and her approach to TCM/acupuncture. No matter what you are working with (emotional or physical), especially if you are expecting or trying to conceive I encourage you to add her to your team of support.

— Danielle G.

Verena has been my practitioner for a decade now. She helped me through anxiety while studying. She helped me bring about labour with the birth of my first child and she has been an abundant wealth of knowledge through the years. She has such a gentle caring touch, a gentleness that I have never encountered in any other practitioner. The peacefulness I have felt thanks to her treatments are something so special that have acted like a beacon, a still point that I tune to even years later. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough.

— Carmen B

I have been seeing Verena for herbs and acupuncture for the past year and a half. She is a truly amazing practitioner that creates a safe space for her patient’s to be heard and understood. She has a calm demeanour and gentle approach with the needles - a true needle ninja! As an Acupuncturist myself, I know that the treatments she provides are getting to the core of my concerns and I always leave feeling so much better than when I arrived. Regular treatments are important for my own self care and critical to keep me feeling like my best self. Thank you Verena!

— Samantha B., R.Ac

Verena is so incredibly passionate and knowledgeable when it comes to practicing Acupuncture & TCM, I always know I’m in the best hands with her. I can feel the difference in my body after each treatment. As we target stress reduction and liver function I always know I’m going to sleep and feel better after seeing her.

— Natalie M.

I've been seeing Verena since 2016, first for an injury and now for general relaxation. She is the most welcoming, kind and professional practitioner I have ever met. I believe that her treatments were one of the only things to help me heal from my injury and I have always felt relief after having a session with her. Verena is amazing and you will be so happy that you went to her!

— Danijela B.

Learn More About The Modalities

An Introduction To TCM

Introduction to acupuncture

Acupuncture is the ancient practice of inserting tiny, thin needles in various points on the body to alleviate pain and remedy various ailments and discomforts.

Introduction to pregnancy support

From conception until birth, this is a safe, natural, and effective way to ensure that you and baby have a smooth and nurtured experience.

Introduction to gua sha and facial wellness

A natural way to reduce fine lines and brighten the complexion, gua sha is a gentle stone massage used to help gently revive the face, reduce inflammation, and drain toxins from the tissue.

Introduction to cupping

As a form of myofascial decompression, cupping helps to decompress your muscles and fascial tissue, creating space for increased blood flow and healing.

Introduction to herbal medicine

A wonderful way to support your health, Chinese herbal medicine involves using a combination of herbs, known as a formula, to help you heal and rebalance from within.