Licensure

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Indiana (since 2012)

Education

• M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Concentration in Community Mental Health

  • Ball State University (2009)

• B.S. in Psychological Science, Concentration in Criminal Justice

  • Ball State University (2007)

• Associate Degree in Business Administration

  • Trine University (formerly Tri-State University) (2005)

Amber serves as a licensed clinician, consultant, and educator whose work bridges clinical expertise and community collaboration. She partners with clinicians, universities, and advocacy organizations to strengthen access to evidence-based and inclusive care.

Current roles include:

• Consultant & Facilitator, Clinical Education & Systems Collaboration

  • (Independent, 2025–Present)

  • Supporting professional education and program development initiatives across Indiana

  • Designs and delivers workshops, continuing education, and emerging programs that integrate systems thinking, cultural humility, and trauma-informed frameworks.

  • Collaborates with universities, grassroots organizations, faith-based groups, and advocacy partners to advance inclusive, evidence-informed mental health education.

• Regional Advocate & Partner, OCD Midwest / International OCD Foundation

  • (Indiana, 2023–Present)

  • Serves as Indiana State Lead for outreach, education, and advocacy within the IOCDF network.

  • Co-chair Indiana’s OCD Walk

  • Facilitates free monthly consultation groups for Indiana clinicians on complex OCD and anxiety cases.

  • Committee service: Education, Advocacy, and Inclusiveness & Representation.
    Active in the Autism & OCD and Faith & OCD Special Interest Groups.

Amber specializes in OCD and Anxiety-related disorders, supporting neurodivergent clients and those with complex or treatment-resistant presentations. Her approach blends Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and emotion regulation strategies, all delivered through a trauma-informed, culturally responsive lens that incorporates evolving research on Autism and neurodiversity.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) & all subtypes/presentations

• Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)

• Anxiety-related Disorders: Generalized Anxiety, Panic, Social Anxiety, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobias, Shy Bladder/Paruresis

• Neurodivergence & Executive Functioning: ADHD, Autism, and navigation of diagnosis, accommodations, recognition/recovery from Autistic Burnout, accessing/advocating within medical system for co-occurring health issues often experienced by neurodivergent individuals

• Posttraumatic Stress and PTSD: trauma-informed care supporting resilience and healing

• Family & Systems Work: supporting families, schools, and community members in navigating mental health challenges

Amber’s practice is grounded in evidence-based care while integrating holistic and systems perspectives. She has received specialized training through national organizations and continuing education in advanced treatment modalities. These are just a few:

• Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Cognitive Behavior Institute (CBI), University of Pennsylvania, Center for Treatment & Study of Anxiety (CTSA)

  • International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), Behavioral Therapy Training Institute: Advanced (BTTI)

• Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD

  • Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) at the Uniformed Services University (USU)

• Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)

  • Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions Yale School of Medicine: Child Study Center

  • SPACE for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and Supporting Adult Children

• Shy Bladder/ Paruresis

  • International Paruresis Association (IPA) Paruresis and Shy Bladder Workshop Leadership Training

Amber’s background spans private practice, community mental health, crisis response, school-based therapy, and multidisciplinary collaboration across healthcare, education, and advocacy systems. Her work reflects a commitment to accessible, coordinated, and person-centered care.

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Private Practice Owner, Amber Young, LLC (2016–2024)

• Independent Contract Therapist, Harmony Medical Associates (2014–2016)

• School-Based Therapist, Cummins Behavioral Health at Avondale Meadows Academy, formerly Challenge Foundation Academy (2010–2014)

• Crisis Specialist, Meridian Services & BDDS (2009–2010)

• Intern & Practicum Therapist, Ball State University Counseling Center (2008–2009)

Throughout these roles, Amber gained extensive experience working with diverse populations, navigating systemic barriers, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive client support. Each of these experiences has informed her ongoing mental health work.

Outside of clinical and consulting work, Amber enjoys reading, writing, gardening (with mixed success keeping plants alive!), crocheting, listening to music, and spending time with her family. She recognizes that not everyone has the space or safety to take time for rest, and that finding moments of joy often requires intentionally pausing to care for oneself and to stay grounded.

Writing is another one of her outlets, a way to reflect, process experiences, and explore ideas about resilience, observations about the world around her, and to navigating challenges creatively. Whenever possible, Amber seeks to draw inspiration from those who came before her, not to copy their experiences, but to learn from their wisdom and approach difficult moments with clarity and calm.

Amber’s personal philosophy mirrors her professional one: grounded in authenticity, empathy, and curiosity. By nurturing joy, creativity, and intentional reflection in daily life, she strives to live in alignment with these values. She welcomes restoration, growth, and whenever possible… a laugh along the way.