Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Stretcher
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our journey into the mental health field has taken us across various settings throughout Texas, from community mental health centers to eating disorder treatment facilities and private practice. Through these experiences, we saw firsthand the deep need for compassionate, specialized care, especially in a fast-paced city like Dallas, where stress, trauma, and relationship struggles can feel overwhelming.
Our paths crossed in an eating disorder treatment center, where we worked closely with individuals navigating some of the most challenging mental health battles. We quickly realized that we shared a deep belief in the power of growth and change. Later, we worked together in private practice, further refining our skills and supporting clients in healing not just from disordered eating, but from trauma, anxiety, and relationship difficulties.
It was this shared vision that led us to launch Crescent Counseling. We wanted to create a space where individuals and couples could find support, not just in addressing past wounds but in learning how to live fully in the present and cultivate hope for the future. Mental health is the foundation for everything, our relationships, our careers, our sense of self, and we are passionate about helping our Dallas community access meaningful, transformative care.
At Crescent Counseling, we’re not just therapists. We’re advocates for healing, growth, and self-discovery. Whether through individual therapy, Gottman Method focused couples work, or nervous system-focused modalities like Brainspotting and the Safe and Sound Protocol, we’re here to walk alongside our clients on their journey toward lasting change.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any meaningful endeavor, the road to building Crescent Counseling hasn’t always been smooth, but every challenge has reinforced why we do this work. One of the biggest struggles we’ve faced is the ongoing need for mental health advocacy, especially in the wake of the pandemic. While mental health awareness has grown, the stigma surrounding therapy still exists, and access to quality care remains a major barrier for many. We’ve had to find ways to not only provide excellent clinical care but also educate and advocate for the importance of mental health support in our community.
Beyond that, learning to navigate the business side of running a practice has been a journey in itself. We’re therapists first, and stepping into the roles of business owners, handling logistics, marketing, and operations, has been a steep learning curve. Balancing the emotional demands of therapy with the practical realities of running a business has required us to be intentional with our time, energy, and resources. We’ve had to learn (and re-learn) boundaries, practice what we teach, and lean into support systems to ensure that we don’t burn out while doing this important work.
Despite the challenges, every obstacle has strengthened our commitment to Crescent Counseling. We’re incredibly proud of the space we’ve built, one that prioritizes healing, growth, and connection, and we’re excited to continue expanding access to quality mental health care in Dallas.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Crescent Counseling, we provide therapy for individuals and couples in Dallas. We specialize in working with anxiety, trauma, attachment wounds, and relationship challenges, offering approaches that support deep, lasting healing.
What sets Amanda apart is her focus on brain-body therapies, including Brainspotting (a powerful, brain-based therapy for trauma processing) and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) (a listening intervention that supports nervous system regulation). Amanda believes that true healing happens not just in the mind but in the body as well, which is why she integrates somatic and neuroscience-informed techniques into her work.
Allison brings extensive training in the Gottman Method, one of the most research-backed approaches for relationship counseling. Allison works with couples facing communication breakdowns, betrayal trauma, life transitions, and disconnection, helping them move from cycles of frustration to a place of understanding and support. What sets her work apart is the structured, skill-based approach she brings to couples counseling. Instead of just talking about relationship struggles, she helps partners develop concrete tools to change how they interact and support one another.
Our practice is not just about therapy sessions. It’s about creating a community where healing and growth feel accessible, validating, and empowering. Mental health care should be deeply personal and tailored to the individual, which is why we take the time to truly understand our clients’ needs and guide them in ways that feel safe, supportive, and effective.
For readers who may be considering therapy, we want them to know that healing is possible. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, relationship struggles, trauma, or just feeling stuck, we’re here to support you. We offer in-person and virtual therapy, brain-body based intensives, and innovative approaches that help you reconnect with yourself and move forward with clarity and confidence.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The Covid-19 crisis reinforced just how vital mental health care is and how much the field must continue to evolve to meet new demands. The pandemic created an unprecedented wave of anxiety, grief, and isolation, and we saw firsthand how crucial it was for people to have access to therapy and support systems. It also highlighted the importance of flexibility and innovation in mental health care, with many clients seeking virtual therapy for the first time, realizing how essential mental health support is during times of uncertainty.
One of the most profound challenges was helping clients navigate struggles that we, as therapists, were also facing, ncertainty, isolation, and adjusting to a constantly changing world. It was a reminder of the power of shared humanity and how therapy is about collaboration and connection rather than having all the answers. We also saw the impact of burnout, work stress, and shifting relationship dynamics, reinforcing our commitment to helping people develop resilience and regulation tools for navigating both personal and collective challenges.
Coming out of the pandemic, it’s clear that mental health care is more essential than ever, and our field continues to evolve to meet these needs. Whether it’s addressing the long-term emotional effects of the crisis, workplace burnout, or relationship stress, we remain dedicated to helping our Dallas community heal, adapt, and thrive in this new landscape.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crescentcounselingdallas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crescentcounselingdallas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crescentcounselingdallas/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crescent-counseling-dallas/
- Twitter: https://x.com/crescentcdallas
Image Credits
Alexis Wright Photography
