Empowering Change in Mental Health
Education, advocacy, & systemic change across communities & sectors
Advancing mental health for all by empowering communities, shaping policy, and building knowledge through education, training, and partnerships.
Welcome! I’m Amber Young, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and advocate with over 15 years of clinical experience. I partner with communities, organizations, and leaders across fields to address critical challenges in mental health. I’m passionate about bridging treatment gaps, addressing factors that impact mental health, and improving outcomes through training, workshops, and strategic partnerships.
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Advocacy & Training
Programs, workshops, policy initiatives for professionals and communities.
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Speaking & Media
Keynotes, interviews, and public storytelling to elevate awareness and change.
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Resources, Writing, & Research
Articles, guides, and tools bridging science, lived experience, and advocacy.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Ongoing, 1st Friday
Virtual
12 pm EST
Indiana Clinician OCD Consult Group
Whether you are brand new to treating OCD or you are a seasoned provider, you’re welcome to join. A service provided free and in coordination with OCD Midwest, our regional affiliate for International OCD Foundation, we meet monthly to consult about complex cases, further develop clinical skills, get to know one another, and to help each other grow.
To request an invitation, reach out via the contact form below.
January 26
Virtual
9 am - 12 pm EST
"Misdiagnosed, Misunderstood, and Mistreated: What Every Clinician Should Know About OCD"
In partnership with Ball State University, Department of Counseling Psychology, Social Psychology & Counseling (CPSY)
For: Mental Health Professionals & Graduate Students
Description: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects about 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children, yet individuals often wait 14–17 years on average before receiving an accurate diagnosis and effective care. Misunderstanding and misdiagnosis frequently lead to well-intentioned but counterproductive interventions that reinforce symptoms. This workshop helps clinicians recognize the many faces of OCD, distinguish it from related disorders, and understand the principles behind effective, evidence-based treatments like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Participants will also learn what common therapeutic approaches can inadvertently worsen OCD symptoms and how to guide clients toward appropriate care and resources.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Identify at least three common clinical missteps or misdiagnoses that contribute to delayed or ineffective OCD treatment.
2. Differentiate OCD from related conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, trauma-related disorders, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
3. Describe key principles of evidence-based treatment for OCD and summarize referral, consultation, and continuing education resources for effective care.
Cost: Free for Professionals and Graduate Students, on behalf of Ball State University
Light it Up Teal for OCD, OCD Awareness Week 2025, MLK Jr Memorial Bridge, Ft Wayne, IN Click on the photo to learn more about IOCDF's international advocacy effort.
I had the privilege of sitting down with WRTV's Nicole Morris to share why advocacy efforts like Indiana's 1st OCD Walk and Light it Up Teal for OCD Awareness Week are important steps in furthering access to effective treatment. Click on the photo to watch myself and colleagues in the OCD Community share.
OCD Family Podcast Interview Season 4, Episode 149, "We Walked for OCD" Along with many in the Indiana OCD Community, I was interviewed about my involvement planning Indiana's first OCD Walk. Click on the photo to listen.
OCD Walk 2025: Indiana's 1st OCD Walk Click on the photo to learn more about the outcome of Indiana's 2025 Walk. It was fantastic seeing it all come together.
“Mental health is more than a personal journey; it’s a societal responsibility. Deep healing is possible when coordinated action takes place across individuals, communities, and systems.”