Amber Stiles-Bodnar, MSEd, LPCC-S, LCDC III, is a Licensed Supervising Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-S) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC III) in the state of Ohio I specialize in working with trauma, abuse, codependency, and the intersection between trauma, addiction and high risk lifestyles. She is drawn to working with AOCAs, 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. She earned a Master of Science in Education in Clinical Counseling from Youngstown State University and is a contributing faculty instructor at her alma mater in both the College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences & Education, Department of Psychological Sciences and Counseling and the College of Health and Human Services in the Social Work Department providing course instruction to graduate level students. She, as a trauma expert, has extensive experience with special projects, program development, and integrating trauma informed care standards throughout agencies and organizations including supervising a high fidelity treatment foster care program.  

Amber is the Clinical Director of Blue Star Family Counseling Services, Inc., a non-profit comprehensive trauma counseling agency in Cortland, Ohio where she provides trauma therapy and oversees treatment of individuals and families. Her distinctive background includes 12 years of law enforcement experience allowing her a unique insight when helping those in specialized occupations such as police, fire, EMS and the armed forces. Amber is a member of her local county’s Critical Incident Stress Management Response Team. She is a volunteer on her county mental health and recovery board’s Trauma Steering Committee, an initiative to create change and ensure trauma informed care and treatment within community mental health and countywide services. 

Amber is a Certified Master EMDR Therapist, Approved Consultant and Trainer through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). She is also a member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and volunteers for the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP). Amber is a Senior Faculty Trainer with the Institute for Creative Mindfulness where she provides EMDR Therapy basic trainings. She also provides clinical supervision to counselors and mentorship to those in the helping professions providing guidance and instruction to improve their clinical mastery. She provides individual and group consultation for EMDR therapists working on developing their expertise within the EMDR field. 

Amber has dedicated herself to improving the lives of those faced with trauma and hardships which is evidenced in her clinical work with adults, children and families. She provides numerous trainings focusing on trauma, addiction, mindfulness, generational based trauma as well as EMDR advanced topics courses. Her trainings provide an emphasis on the effects of trauma and the treatment needs of individuals, including children, military and other specialized occupations at the local, state and national level.