Amber received her Masters in Counseling from George Fox University in 2009. Amber is Licensed as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in both Washington State and Oregon.
Amber provides counseling to Adults ages (18+) through telehealth and at the Waterfront Office (144 Railroad Ave #222, Edmonds, WA 98020).
One of my passions is helping to empower others to find their own creative “therapeutic” outlet, build positive supports, and learn to balance the needs of others with their own. Most of us need to be taught how to put ourselves first and learn healthy and appropriate boundaries. Together, we can explore your needs and deepest desires, your current experience of your life and ways to create healthy boundaries and balance.
My approach to therapy starts with building a safe and trusting relationship. I prioritize creating an environment that is comfortable and inviting where you can go at your own pace. Open dialog with one another throughout our counseling work is key, so that I may support you in the way that best meets your needs. I’m intuitive and empathic and I empower my clients to use their voice and be heard. You are important!
I have studied a multitude of counseling modalities and can help you find the right tools for your needs, as each individual is unique. I will help you set counseling goals and we will check in from time to time to assess progress and fine tune our work so that you can best meet those goals. Together we will explore the strengths that lie within you already and we will draw on them throughout our work together. I will help you learn additional tools offered through CBT and DBT when those skills would enhance your communication style, emotional regulation and relationship connections.
Beyond learning new skills, I am also interested in your gaining a deeper understanding of yourself and making meaning in your life. My primary lens as a counselor is based on Jungian theory as I seek to help each individual to look, listen, and honor what is true at the deepest levels within themselves. There are a variety of ways to do this. Awareness of one’s unconscious or intuitive self can be developed through symbolism uncovered in such forms as dreams, creative expression, story, and connection to nature. I encourage clients to be curious, rather than afraid of their dreams. I respect each client’s personal beliefs, values, and cultural traditions and am open-hearted to learn about You and in turn, guide you along your path. I look forward to meeting You!
Prior to pursuing her interests in Psychology, Amber studied the fine arts. She integrates creative expression of any sort into her work along with her deep interest in Jungian theory. Prior to bringing her practice to Bluestone, Amber spent 7 years in Salem, OR working with adults, elders and caregivers with a wide range of needs. She has worked in community mental health settings, collaborated with medical settings, and worked in nursing homes.
Amber first learned about Jungian psychotherapy during her Master’s program at George Fox University. From there, she sought to experience Jungian analysis firsthand and learned through her personal individuation experience about dream symbols, complexes, and archetypes. Amber received a majority of her clinical supervision and mentorship from Portland-based Jungian-oriented therapist, Gael Nance, LCSW. Gael being an artist herself, taught Amber some of the art expression tools she uses today such as soul collage, painting from dreams, and painting from the unconscious. Additionally, Amber has had over 7 years as a participant of a Jungian Education and Consultation group in the Portland area, lead by senior Jungian analyst, Martha Blake, MBA, NCPsyA whereby the group members studied Jungian concepts and further enhanced their understanding and practice of counseling from a Jungian perspective.
2016 EMDR, Level I – trauma-focused training
2012-2014 PASRR Level II Evaluator – assessing dementia in elders and appropriateness for independent living
2009 MA in Counseling, George Fox University
2004 BA in Psychology, University of Texas, El Paso, TX