Hi, I’m Verena

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

Helping you create balance within through acupuncture, cupping therapy, herbal medicine and TCM lifestyle recommendations.

A person sitting outdoors on dark foliage, holding and inserting acupuncture needles into their left wrist with their right hand, wearing a bracelet and a ring, dressed in a checkered shirt and light blue jeans.

A woman with long, wavy brown hair smiling outdoors with greenery in the background.

Creating balance within.

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. I offer acupuncture, gua sha and facial wellness, cupping therapy, herbal medicine, and pregnancy support. You can find me at Aurora Health and Wellness in Langford, BC, where I offer direct billing to insurance providers like Medavie, DND, Pacific Blue Cross, Canada Life, Manulife, Greenshield, and Telus Health Insurances.

Offering support for:

Nervous system regulation
Stress management
Digestive Support
Sleep support/Insomnia
Body tension & pain
Facial wellness
General Wellbeing
Headaches
Hormonal Support & Menstrual Support
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.

Book a session

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.