Hello, I am Amber, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a graduate from John F. Kennedy University where I studied Holistic Counseling Psychology, an experiential program that went beyond the traditional clinical nature of becoming a therapist, where I developed skills and enthusiasm needed to attune to the whole person and not just a list of symptoms or diagnosis. My education and training amplifies the traditional therapeutic work by also incorporating expressive arts, play, nature and somatic interventions. Prior to having my private practice, I worked for county programs with those who have moderate to severe mental health issues, community based non-profits, residential treatment centers and in schools with children whose mental health impacts their ability to learn and have quality relationships with their peers and families.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our first session is not just about me getting to know what brings you to therapy and developing goals with an individualized plan to get you there, but also a chance for you to gauge your comfort with me as a provider. This meeting is an opportunity for you to ask questions, and learn what style of therapy may or may not feel right to you. We will explore what has led you to seeking support and identify what your most immediate needs are and plan together for what comes next. I work in collaboration with you, I may be the therapist, but you are the expert of your life and my planning is always done with your input.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Having worked with adults and children who do not always feel at home in traditional settings, struggle to fit in with peers, family and even in close relationships, and a sense of not belonging, one of my greatest strengths is helping you feel safe, secure and present in your own mind and body before we dig deeper. When we are able to have more self-compassion, we can then work on making changes with how we see the world, the feelings we have when facing adversity or stressors and the actions we take that can move us along towards our long term goals. My personal and lived experiences, including being survivor of Trauma and part of the LGBTQ+ community, gives me a unique ability to relate to and speak from a place of experience about the the realities that these areas, and other life changing experiences, can have on us. This lived experience paired with my clinical and holistic education, I mindfully and intentionally provide interventions that are nuanced to treating Trauma and provide resources that are unique to the LGBTQ+ population.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I love working with individuals who may see themselves or have been labeled as an outsider, feel they don't belonging or fit in. I enjoy not just acknowledging what makes us different, but to CELEBRATE the unique traits that make you feel different. I am always excited to work with those who bring curiosity, vulnerability and all shades of humor to session, as these traits help us heal or wounds, improve our relationships with self and others and lastly have hope for the you in the future. My experience working with children and families extends far beyond my experience as a therapist, every part of my professional experience starting at age 19, has been working with children and their families, including Foster, adoption, single parent, blended and kinship caregivers. As a therapist, helping children who are currently, or are at risk of experiencing life changing or traumatic events is one of the most cherished parts of being a therapist, as children are the most vulnerable to negative and lasting impacts not to just their psyche, but their health and wellbeing across their lifespan.
About Amber Smith
Amber Smith offers therapy covered by Blue Shield of California - Medi-Cal, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Medi-Cal), CalViva Health (Medi-Cal), Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Health Net (Medi-Cal), Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Orange County Mental Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
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Address
222 West Lockeford Street, Lodi, CA 95240, Suite 5Appointments
Virtual & in-personMy treatment methods
Attachment-based
Developing an authentic and attuned relationship with my clients is central to my approach with clients, especially when working to repair, heal and develop healthier relationships in the clients life.
EMDR
Attachment Focused EMDR, currently in process of in-depth training from the Parnell Institute, focused on treating C-PTSD, PTSD and early attachment wounds.
Strength-Based
In every story, there is hope, strength and success, evidenced by the storytellers resilience and ability to retell the details. It comes naturally for me to highlight the strengths and skills the client already possesses and help them build additional positive qualities.
Eclectic
I work to meet the individual needs of every client and this requires an integrative approach to selecting a therapeutic treatment modality. Ditching the rigidity and manualized style that many therapist rely on, I focus on the here and now of what my client can benefit from, a truly Client Centered way of working together.
Play Therapy
I incorporate sandtray, music, movement, and dramatic play into Play Therapy, to honor the child's unique perspective based on their development and to communicate, process, and resolve difficulties they are experiencing and to increase their resiliency and ability to regulate their emotions.