LCSW, 7 years of experience
Hi there! I’m Amber, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Virginia. I’m passionate about helping people find balance, healing, and connection in their lives. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and my Master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts. Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and groups throughout the Virginia area. My background includes a range of community-based mental health settings, giving me a deep appreciation for each person’s unique story and strengths. In my practice, I take a person-centered and culturally sensitive approach. My goal is to create a supportive and nonjudgmental space where you can explore challenges and discover healthy, meaningful ways to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
During our first session together, we’ll start with a relaxed introduction and a chance for you to share what brought you to therapy. This time is about getting to know you—your goals, challenges, and what you hope to gain from our work together. We’ll explore what feels most important to you right now, which helps me tailor a plan that supports your unique needs moving forward. We’ll also take a few minutes to review any necessary paperwork and talk about what the structure and frequency of our sessions might look like. My goal is for you to leave the first session feeling comfortable, heard, and supported as we begin this process together.
A big strength of mine is ensuring that each client feels heard, and is provided a safe and supportive environment throughout their session. It is important to me that each client feel respected and provided a safe space to express themselves and their vulnerabilities.
I am best positioned to support adults who may be navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship concerns, family stressors, or the impact of trauma. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by daily stress, struggling with difficult emotions, or seeking healing and growth, I strive to provide a safe and supportive space where we can work together toward your goals at a pace that feels right for you.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective approach that helps individuals explore the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By identifying and challenging unhelpful thinking patterns, CBT empowers individuals to gain a healthier perspective on themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. While this process can be challenging at times, it is a powerful tool for managing anxiety, reshaping negative thought patterns, and fostering lasting change. In my experience, clients who actively engage in this process—both during sessions and in their daily lives—experience the greatest growth and progress. My goal is to provide a supportive and collaborative environment where you feel empowered to challenge limiting beliefs and develop strategies for a more fulfilling and balanced life.
In therapy, I take an evidence-based and personalized approach, drawing from a variety of effective therapeutic methods to best support your unique needs. I incorporate techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Reality Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, and EMDR. I also use trauma-informed care, strength-based strategies, and multicultural perspectives to ensure therapy is tailored to you. Depending on your goals, I may integrate art therapy, play therapy, or other creative and holistic approaches. My goal is to provide a supportive, collaborative, and empowering space where you feel heard, understood, and equipped with the tools to navigate life’s challenges.