Meet Crystal D’angora

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Crystal D’angora. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Crystal below.

Hi Crystal , so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

Being an effective trauma therapist, mother, partner, and business owner means prioritizing daily and weekly practices that support my mental and physical health, and putting non-negotiable creative play, social connections, and rest in my calendar. For me, this looks like taking hikes with my husband, son, and friends several days each week, using breath work and meditation to center between clients, taking dance classes, and cooking at the end of a busy day, and writing in my journal when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a licensed Marriage and Family therapist and trauma therapist in private practice in Mar Vista, CA. I began my career as a therapist working with children in an elementary school-based program, at the Culver City senior center, seeing adults and couples s in Antioch University’s counseling clinic, as well as in addiction treatment facilities. My approach with clients is relational and integrative, founded in Attachment and Family Systems theories and utilizes Mindfulness, Somatic Experiencing and EMDR.
I am a certified yoga instructor and have been teaching yoga and meditation since 2002. I ran my own yoga and Pilates studio from 2006-2012 and co-founded Light Leaders children’s yoga, a program geared toward bringing yoga to children across socio-economic and developmental lines.
I received a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in literature and child development, with a minor in world dance in 2003. My childhood dream of being an actress and dancer and years of theatrical training inform my integration of play and creativity into my work as therapist and yoga instructor. As a dedicated trauma therapist, teacher, and mother, I use wellness, meditation, and yoga to foster my ongoing education, experience, and self-care practices to renew my commitment to sharing these powerful and transformational tools with others.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Entering a performing arts school for dance and theater 7th-12th grades offered me tremendously important outlets for creative expression and ways to find connection during difficult teenage years. Performing in several plays and musicals taught me how to work together with peers and better develop communication and collaboration.
A solo trip all across Europe when I was 17 years old helped me to trust my instincts and resourcefulness, and taugt me how to take calculated risks to gain more independence, as well as to meet new people.
Practicing and studying yoga and meditation have been crucial in helping me to maintain balance, flexibility, and strength on and off the mat.
I recommend that everyone find their own creative outlets. Whatever it looks like for them – find ways to play!
Travel! It’s so important to go outside of your comfort zone and learn about other cultures, see new places, and find new parts of yourself.
Find daily practices to connect with a still, quiet place inside of yourself. It’s so essential for us to learn how to control our breath to regulate our nervous systems and witness our thoughts from a healthy distance.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal clients are adult individuals and couples who are ready to work on healing trauma, and receptive to learning tools for growth. I appreciate guiding courageous and curious people who are interested in self-exploration and discovery.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Crystaldangora.com
• Instagram: the.light.enters
• Youtube: @crystalwellness