Our Team
At Planted to Bloom, collaboration is one of our core values—and something we do exceptionally well. From the start of our internship, we connected that we connected deeply and in a different way than with the other interns on staff. We discovered we shared similar values, goals, and worldviews - we were way more alike than we were different. Our bond grew stronger through yoga teacher training and close collaboration on internship coordination. Over time, our friendship evolved into a shared dream: starting a practice together. Now we operate under the belief of being “better together” and it shows in our daily work. As John Maxwell said, “Teamwork makes the dream work”—a sentiment we live by as we lead our practice with respect, gratitude, and passion for the counseling profession and one another.
Get to Know Us!
Alana McCraw
LPC, RYT
“When you can’t look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark.”
I identify as someone who grew up on the Island of Misfit Toys because I've always "felt different." I did not realize it at the time, but this was likely my empathic ability showing up in ways I just could not appreciate as a youngster. It did not help that I moved around a lot in a military family. As someone who has also spent time on their own mental health journey, I know what it is like to feel "different" and the limitations (real and perceived) that this can create for individuals themselves and their relationships.
I have always been someone who likes to "give back" and for me, therapy is one of the ways I can do that. There is a quote from Alice in Wonderland that says "When you can't look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark." I love this phrase because it suggests that life is sometimes dark--that is just the reality. However, having someone to just be on your side can be so powerful. I am here to be a support in the dark while clients learn the skills they need to understand their emotions and behaviors. Once there is comprehension there, we can explore and collaborate together on creating therapeutic goals.
I've always thought that listening was my super power, and after numerous years of training and my own journey in life thus far, I have the privilege of listening and witnessing people's experiences for a living. I am motivated by a keen desire to empathize and understand each person so that they truly feel seen and heard. It is this profound empathy that allows me to bring curiosity and compassion to the work that I do together with individuals in therapy. Then, through close collaboration with my clients I use pscyho-education, skills development for emotional regulation, and tools for processing old wounds to help them find a way forward.
Amber Ambriz
LPC, RYT, SEP
“Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people.”
Amber works with adolescents and adults, especially those individuals struggling with body image issues and eating disorders. Additionally, she works with stress-management, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, life transitions, spiritual identity and other identity development wonderings. She helps her clients tackle multiracial and multicultural challenges, pre- and peri-natal trauma, overall trauma and chronic pain and uses Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, expressive arts, mindfulness, psychotherapeutic yoga, ACT and DBT to help facilitate change. She thrives when working with people who feel stuck, uncertain, and frozen in life.
Amber has been passionate about helping individuals have a fulfilled life since she was very young. Influenced by her parents - and quite honestly Mr. Rogers - she saw the importance of acceptance, really listening, and valuing the feelings of others, no matter their age. She has always been someone others could confide in and has a passion to be present for others when they believe they have no one else. She believes the relationship between the counselor and client is of utmost importance so Amber strives to create a space where clients feel safe, welcomed, and understood without judgment.
Amber believes the counseling relationship is central to meaningful change. Her role is not to give answers, but to walk alongside you as you gain insight and discover what works best for you. Together, you will focus on personal growth, positive change, and overall well-being. If you’re ready to take that step, Amber looks forward to beginning this therapeutic journey with you.
The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.
- Phil Jackson