Student Affairs Staff Spotlight: Spring 2025

Dr. Crystal Gonsalves

Interim Assistant Director / Psychological & Wellness Services (PAWS)

Dr. Crystal Gonsalves has weathered numerous leadership shifts in the past ten years and has never lost her sense of optimism or pride in the shared purpose of Psychological & Wellness Services (PAWS) on our campus. While continuing to serve in her role as Staff Psychologist and Group Therapy Coordinator, Crystal asked to take on even more responsibility this year in the absence of a senior leader, serving PAWS as the Interim Assistant Director.

One marker of Crystal’s passion for students is how she always completes initial intakes wishing she could “keep” clients for herself, rather than assign them to other clinicians for individual therapy. When she does make the assignment, she tells the clinician she has “gifted” them someone, as she truly views UWT students as special and feels honored to work with them. Her warmth immediately disarms students who are not sure what to expect from therapy. Her ability to forge deep connections enables students to dig deeply into personal issues important for their healing.

Crystal has elevated us all with enthusiasm for what students can learn from one another in a group therapy setting that they cannot get through individual therapy. While there are certainly serious topics discussed, and tearful moments during group, we can personally attest to the amount of laughter coming from our Group Therapy room during some of the sessions! Students who previously wondered if they would fit in find themselves requesting to join group again.

Crystal truly shines during New Student Orientation and other resource tabling events. While most of us speak with students from behind a table full of brochures, Crystal walks out in front of the table, smiling and waving students over to chat about what they are studying and how they are orienting to campus. She humanizes our clinical staff. Indeed, before they know it, after talking to Crystal, students are downloading the Timely Care app to their phones, committing to contacting PAWS for a Same-Day Appointment, and leaving with a discrete paper bag full of safer sex supplies…along with a smile on their faces!

Crystal is both a natural and deeply self-reflective leader. She approaches her work with humility, integrity, and a genuine commitment to inclusion and care. She thoughtfully considers others’ needs and perspectives, actively checks her own biases, and consistently works to elevate the voices of those around her. One clear example of this is the time and intention she devotes to supervising doctoral psychology trainees - upwards of 6.5 hours per week. Through thoughtful guidance, clinical insight, and genuine mentorship, she helps shape the next generation of student-centered mental health professionals.

Through her everyday actions, Crystal exemplifies the mission and core values of Student Affairs - advocating for students, fostering belonging, and creating meaningful, equity-centered impact.