Amber Dalzell (she/her)

Being a therapist who is an LGBTQ+ ally goes beyond being in favor of gay marriage. It’s about being trained specifically to support you! Together we will find ways to safely set aside the mask, embrace your authentic self, and find connections to communities that are affirming. I strive to embrace a positive view of all LGBTQ+ identities and relationships while addressing the negative influence that homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism may have had on your life.

That uncomfortable feeling, the knot in your throat, the sinking in your chest that creates a tight barrier around the words you wish you could say… The ability to speak can temporarily shut down during high amounts of stress. Symptoms associated with anxiety are frustrating and hard to explain to friends and family. Together we will explore techniques uniquely suited to you and your lifestyle so that you can regain control.

Our brains are wired for response to intense situations. But what do you do if your brain continues to react to minimal threats in everyday life? For instance, a slamming door, a certain smell, or that specific time of year can cause a response similar to what you experienced from a major trauma or stress. You don't have to live your life in fear of reliving the emotional pain you had to endure. This is where therapy can help to resolve these symptoms and begin living free.

The goals of art therapy do not involve creating a beautiful masterpiece, because here there is no “right” or “wrong.” Together, we will use art materials as tools to communicate. If you are being honest with yourself, even about the painful and uncomfortable stuff, it won’t look “pretty.” But you will soon find that you no longer judge yourself with terms such as “good or bad” and “pretty or ugly.” You start to see these thoughts from a distance and replace them with “openness” and “curiosity."

EMDR therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that helps people of all ages heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. Eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation can activate problem-solving processes and your brain’s own natural healing abilities. By focusing on the negative and positive emotions associated with a specific problem or memory, bilateral stimulation can help your brain begin the process of problem solving and healing.

We seem to replay the same patterns of communication, the same types of conflicts stuck on a loop in our relationships. Our thoughts, our emotions, our intentions, all real and valid but so often it is the fear of rejection or abandonment that throws us into fear, shame, or forced reactions. Let's explore your sense of safety, where it comes from, and how it can increase your feelings of satisfaction in relationships and with yourself.