Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Quintero.
Hi Crystal, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My spirituality takes place within generations of soul searching, assimilation as means of survival, the Pentecostal church, and spirituality found in many different spaces. Somehow, I’ve survived religious dogma, walked away in my early twenties, and am raising two daughters along the way.
Born x raised in Compton, Bellflower, and ultimately SELA x LBC . . . all of which shaped me. What I can say of my path to liberation is it isn’t self-made. I am nothing without community. And so I’m grateful to my own for joining this one. It’s a long time coming. Spirit Well exists because of the gap between mental wellness and physical wellness.
Our holistic health also includes spiritual wellness. One’s spirit is not religious or related to any one belief system.
Your spirit is your spark, your inspiration, the place where your ability to dream comes from.
Many of us work to protect our mental well being and physical health, but tend to suppress spiritual abuse because it’s too painful or invalidated.
I offer events, one on one offerings, and nature support groups.
I may have left my ministers license behind, but I’m more concerned about affirming those whose value has been put into question than being validated by an institution.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’d say the biggest struggle was my bipolar diagnosis. The summer of 2023, I felt incredibly destabilized and physically/emotionally going through it.
I was hospitalized twice and eventually given an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder the second time.
Black women, women of color, mothers of color. It is so scary to get intensive help. Talk therapy? Super normalized now.
The psych unit? Not so much.
Admitting myself was scary, I was terrified of how I would be treated as a Black woman experiencing psychosis.
My first hospital stay proved that to be a valid fear, but my second was a 180.
I felt my soul reattaching itself to my body.
I felt stronger and braver than I ever had. But a critical truth that came to light is, I am a much better mother because of it.
This taught me you can spiral out of control or you can spiral up toward growth.
In the psych unit, you don’t get flowers, visitors, get well soon cards.
People may even be too embarrassed to share about their connection to your experience.
But you do get those few folks whose numbers you write down and call them up on the hospital phone because you don’t have yours on you.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Events / Community building
I host healing events that are accessible to the community and partner with local businesses and vendors in the process! I also offer individual Aura Readings, complete with aura photos. I am available for workshops regarding community building, healing from spiritual abuse, and intercultural studies, specifically Los Angeles history and cultural intersectionality.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up as an only child, but have four older siblings. My mom and I were very involved in church, and she raised me to be community oriented, shopping local, committing to public school education, and bringing folks together. It’s one reason I am so passionate about accountable leadership and helping my community thrive. My dad was a Black Panther, so recognizing injustice and believing I could do something about it also came pretty naturally to me.
Pricing:
- Individual Aura Readings: $40
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @spiritw.ell
- Other: Email: [email protected]
