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Amber is a Registered Provisional Psychologist working at our Red Deer location.
She works with couples, adults, and adolescents (14+) who may be experiencing interpersonal issues, life transitions, burnout, anxiety, depression or trauma.
Amber is passionate about integrating holistic mind-body healing into her counselling practice. Amber facilitates emotion regulation groups to support individuals in their mental health journey.
Amber also brings 12 years of experience as a behavioural consultant working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This has allowed her a unique perspective and skill set in dealing with particularly vulnerable populations.
"I believe in creating a safe therapeutic environment for my clients to explore their emotions and build skills to increase their well-being." - Amber
Amber's Education and Training
Amber has a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She is registered as a Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists.
Core Advanced Training
For more information about a specific training, please click on the bolded words.
Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
The EFT model uses attachment theory and prioritizes emotion and emotional regulation as the key components of a relational interaction.
EFT focuses on negative communication patterns and takes direct steps to develop trust, create a more secure bond, and move the relationship in a positive direction.
Gottman Couples Therapy
Amber is trained at Level One of the highly effective couples method by Drs. Julie and John Gottman. Their couples model is based on five decades of research with more than 3000 couples. This method can help couples compassionately handle conflicts, deepen their friendship and intimacy and share their life purpose and dreams.
Amber can help couples gain skills in communicating about the most painful issues, process fights, heal hurts, and deepen intimacy.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
The ACT model is based on mindfulness and values, to maximize human potential to create a rich, meaningful life. ACT focuses on cultivating health and vitality through mindful, values-based living while accepting that pain is a part of life.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an evidence-based practice that supports people who have difficulties with emotional regulation and is considered the gold standard for the treatment of borderline personality disorder. DBT’s primary goals are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships through four core skills (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness).
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Amber is currently trained at Level One of Janina Fisher's CCTP. CCTP is a complex trauma treatment that includes effective Sensorimotor, Internal Family Systems parts-work, and mindfulness strategies used to help clients connect to their minds, bodies, emotions, and their traumatic events without feeling overwhelmed and avoidant.
Integrative Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal Theory emphasizes the role the autonomic nervous system - especially the vagus nerve - plays in regulating our health and behavior. Created and developed by Stephen Porges, PhD, the theory describes the physiological/psychological states which underlie our daily behavior as well as challenges related to our wellness and mental health.
Amber is trained to help clients work with their nervous system and understand how safety, co-regulation, and connection are paramount to a healthy human experience. She will help her clients integrate this understanding to process trauma, manage anxiety, and improve self-regulation.
Continuing Education
Amber strongly believes in advancing her education and improving her practice as a therapist. She is actively engaged in the learning process, taking courses and continuing education to deepen her knowledge in areas related to her client’s needs.
Here is a list of the continuing education courses she has taken:
New Era Anxiety Treatment: Enhanced Applications of ACT, CBT and Logotherapy
Clinician's Suicide Prevention Course: Treatment Strategies to Inspire Hope and Save Lives
View Amber's Profile on Psychology Today