My name is Lisa McCraney, LPCC-S, and I am a native of Akron, Ohio. Although I have been a licensed Clinician since 2004, I began my journey with the Grief Recovery Institute in March 2020. When I showed up for my certification training I was broken, sad, and near the brink of a very tearful breakdown as I sat in my seat – because – just two weeks prior to showing up, my Dad passed away. My relationship with my father was filled with many hills and valleys. My feelings about him, our relationship, and everything connected to him and I were all over the place. My heart knew that participating in this process, already nearly raw in emotion, was going to change me, one way or another. I am very happy to say that although I cried many times in the training process, I cried more healing tears than sad. In 4 days, while learning the Grief Recovery Method, my heart for my Father began to widen, soften, and expand in grace and understanding. Written in my notes from training, and still expressed verbally by me today, I am learning to love and honor my Dad and his journey more in his passing than I ever knew how to do in while he was living. The Grief Recovery Method taught me how. I provide One-on-One Grief Recovery Method Support Sessions, Grief Recovery Method Support Groups, and Helping Children with Loss Groups.

Professionally, I serve as Chief Clinician at Healing Hearts Counseling & Consultation Services, a nonprofit counseling services I founded in 2014. We are primarily located in Akron, but also provide services in Canton and Cleveland, Ohio. While clients of every demographic is welcomed, I have a specific passion for helping to normalize counseling as a safe and needed resource within the African American community in general, as well as the African American faith-based communities. Additionally, I am the Founder of Lisa Speaks Too, LLC, where I serve as an Emotional Wellness Coach, Motivational Speaker, Workshop and Group Facilitator, and Author. As a Wellness Coach, I am able to come alongside clients who want to work on achieving goals and overcoming barriers that do not require a clinical diagnosis. I provide support for Women and Wives, College Students, and those seeking Grief Support. My Grief Recovery Method Support program, "Grace Beyond Grief" has become a very necessary and useful resource for my community.

I am a graduate of Kent State University, attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and a Master of Education in Community Counseling. My heart's passion in the work that I do is to partner with individuals as they choose healing as a part of their life's journey, coming along side of them to provide support as they identify and do the hard work that healing encompasses.

When I am not working, I am home with my Husband of nearly 20 years, and our 3 children. I am mostly a homebody who enjoys staring out the window when nature is doing her "big" moving, and walking on trails when she invites us to join her on quieter days. I serve on the Prayer Team for my church ministry, and I serve on several committees within the ranks of my Sorority. I also enjoy reading, singing, and watching mindless television - that is, when I'm not trying to solve the cases on Dateline, The First 48, Law & Order, and Chicago PD.