Ana Bolling Cruz

Hi, my name is Ana (she/her) and I am a clinical social worker providing therapy services to individual adults. I know starting with a new therapist can be daunting. I have over ten years of experience in the field and have had the honor of working with people during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. I honor this space.

I am passionate about supporting you with your goals to optimize your overall health. I strive to foster a level of safety and center your story and experiences. I believe in understanding how your challenges and concerns are impacted by a variety of factors. As a social worker, I believe in being an advocate both in the clinical space and in the community.

I will work collaboratively with you to identify your strengths, challenges, and goals. My goal in our work together is for you to feel heard, supported and empowered.

My goal is to foster a level of safety, where you feel deeply seen and where your story and lived experiences are honored so you feel understood and respected. I work with adults and am especially passionate about working with people of color.

My style is warm and collaborative.

I support clients through anxiety, explore racial and ethnic identity, and navigate the ups and downs of major life transitions. I often work with young adults, college students, and athletes as you balance independence, expectations and uncertainty about the future. I also walk with people coping with grief, loss, and the emotional weight of chronic illness.

I use strengths-based and person-centered approaches that centers you and the abilities and capabilities you have. I also use CBT approaches to support understanding the connection between physical responses, feelings and thoughts and the impact on our actions. I use mindfulness approaches to support grounding and emotional regulation. I also use the liberation health model to support understanding into the personal, cultural and institutional factors that weigh on your concerns and troubles. I adapt my approaches to align with you.

I strive to create a therapeutic space that feels grounding, compassionate and culturally sensitive. - a place where you can reflect and heal to build your ability to navigate life's challenges.

During our first session, we’ll simply start getting to know each other. I’ll ask a few gentle questions about what is bringing you to therapy.

I’ll also gather some background information that helps me understand your story. I'll discuss the intake process and what you can expect from working together while being open to any questions or concerns you may have.