Amber L. Stiles-Bodnar, LPCC-S, LCDC III

EMDR Certified Therapist

EMDR Consultant

EMDR Trainer

Online Therapy

About Me

I have a passion working with people to help them become who they truly are instead of who they had to be. I view therapy as a partnership, a collaboration where you are able to feel comfortable but challenged, a space for individuals, seeking a higher level of self-exploration, to do hard but rewarding and beneficial work. You deserve to heal. I specialize in working trauma, abuse, codependency, and the intersection between trauma, addiction and high risk lifestyles. I am drawn to working with ACOAs, professionals in high-risk occupations such as military, law enforcement, first responders, medical professionals and their families, LGBTQIA+ identified individuals, ​and those with developmental and generational based trauma. My distinctive background includes 12 years of law enforcement experience allowing me a unique insight when helping those in specialized occupations such as police, fire, EMS and the armed forces. In co-founding Blue Star Family Counseling Services, I wanted to create a space where specialized trauma based therapies would be provided to individuals and families. I am also devoted to helping people help people. I provide trainings that focus on the effects of trauma, addiction, mindfulness, generalization trauma, and crisis intervention, including EMDR Therapy on the local, state and national level. I offer clinical supervision to counselors and mentorship to those in the helping professions providing guidance and instruction to improve their clinical mastery and expertise in treating trauma survivors. I welcome the opportunity to walk with you in your journey.

Education & Experience

I am a Licensed Supervising Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-S) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC III). I earned a Master of Science in Education in Community Counseling from Youngstown State University. I have worked in residential, outpatient and dual diagnosis counseling settings. I specialize in working trauma, abuse, codependency, and the intersection between trauma, addiction and high risk lifestyles. I am drawn to working with ACOAs, professionals in high-risk occupations such as military, law enforcement, first responders, medical professionals and their families, LGBTQIA+ identified individuals, ​and those with developmental and generational based trauma. My distinctive background includes 12 years of law enforcement experience allowing me a unique insight when helping those in specialized occupations such as police, fire, EMS and the armed forces. I am an adjunct faculty member teaching at Youngstown State University in the Counseling Department and Social Work departments,

Professional & Volunteer Affiliations

Amber is a member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, the American Counseling Association, the Ohio Counseling Association, and volunteer for the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP). Amber also volunteers with various children's organizations and local animal rescue and rehabilitation groups. Volunteer with Give An Hour.

Specialty Area

  • Abuse/Neglect
  • ADD/ADHD/Disruptive Behavior Disorders
  • Addictions
  • Alcohol/Substance Abuse
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety/Panic Attacks
  • Attachment Disorders
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Birth Trauma/Pregnancy Loss
  • Chronic Illness/Medical Issues
  • Chronic Pain
  • Depression
  • Dissociative Disorders
  • Domestic Violence
  • Eating Disorders
  • Family Issues
  • Gender Identity
  • Grief/Loss/Mourning
  • Marriage/Relationship Issues
  • Mood Disorders
  • Moral Injury
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Performance Enhancement
  • Personality Disorders
  • Phobias
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Race, Culture, Ethnicity Issues
  • Schizophrenia
  • Self-Harm
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Somatic Issues
  • Stress Management
  • Suicide Risk
  • Survivor's Guilt
  • Traumatic Incident

Population Served

  • Adolescents (13-17)
  • Adults
  • Children (4-12)
  • Community Mental Health Center
  • Families
  • First Responders
  • Group
  • LGBTQ+
  • Seniors
  • Underserved
  • Veterans/Military

Language

  • English

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • BlueCross BlueShield
  • Cigna
  • Coventry
  • Highmark
  • Humana
  • Medicaid
  • Sliding Scale
  • TRICARE
  • UnitedHealth

Medical Mutual Care Source United Behavioral Health Anthem