Teacher-turned-author, Mental Health Advocate, Big-Sis Friend.
Hi! I’m Amber,
I didn’t always have this hope.
I grew up in a Christian home, but faith didn’t protect me from suffering.
I’ve lived with anxiety for as long as I can remember. And as a child and teenager, my home became unsafe in ways I didn’t yet have words for.
By the time I was 10, my life had already been threatened by a family member.
By 14, mental illness was quietly unraveling my family—and I was just trying to survive it.
meet Amber
I learned to cope the only way I knew how.
As a teenager, I tried to control the chaos around me through a vicious eating disorder and an addiction to exercise. For seven years, those unhealthy coping mechanisms felt like the only way to stay afloat.
From the outside, I looked like a “good Christian kid.”
On the inside, I was anxious, hyper-vigilant, and exhausted.
When I finally asked for help, I was met with silence.
In college, I realized I couldn’t do this alone. I turned to my church, hoping for guidance, wisdom, or support.
Instead, I was told:
- “Give your worries to God.”
- “Pray more.”
- “Trust Him harder.”
And that’s where the help ended.
Those spiritual prescriptions left me feeling confused, ashamed, and broken, like my anxiety meant I lacked faith.
And I Hit Rock Bottom.
After graduating college, I became incredibly sick. My body finally said what my soul had been carrying for years: something is wrong.
- At 23, I walked into therapy for the first time.
- At 29, I started medication for anxiety and depression.
This wasn’t a failure of faith.
It was the beginning of healing.
Healing hasn’t happened overnight.
But it has come slowly, gently, and imperfectly through:
- Therapy sessions that helped me name my trauma
- Learning healthy coping skills
- Medication (yes—really)
- Boundaries and rest (The Sabbath)
- Prayer and Scripture
- Safe friends and family
- A healthy church community
- And God’s grace, over and over again
I learned that having anxiety doesn’t mean you lack faith—it means you’re human.
Today, I share the hope I’ve found.
I still live with anxiety and depression, but I’ve learned that what I struggle with is not who I am.
My mission is to help Christians find hope that goes beyond clichés, quick fixes, and spiritual bypassing. I believe deeply in the power of God, and in the practical, biblical, and holistic tools He uses to bring healing.
If there’s a thread running through my life, it’s this: hope is fierce. It’s not passive—it’s active. And that hope is available to you.
If you’re hurting, doubting, or exhausted from trying to “pray it away,” you’re not alone. It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay there without hope. I’d be honored to walk with you toward healing, one honest step at a time.
Get to Know Amber
Granola Girl at Heart
I love Jesus, long walks, good workouts, and anything that feels adventurous— hiking, dancing, or traveling somewhere new. Movement is one of my favorite ways to care for my mental health.
Dog Mom Energy
I share life with my husband, Ben, and our goldendoodle, Oso—who is equal parts comfort animal and dinosaur. favorite ways to care for my mental health.
Flexible
(Literally)
You might be surprised to learn I can do the splits. Years of dance and movement will do that.
Forever a Student of Jesus
Everything I do comes from a deep desire to keep growing closer to Jesus—His heart, His ways, and how faith and mental health actually intersect.
Called to Write
Becoming an author has been the most rewarding, and refining, journey of my life. Every page has stretched my faith and deepened my purpose.
Counselor at Heart
If I weren’t a writer, I’d be a Christian counselor. Helping people heal, feel seen, and find hope has always been the calling beneath the calling.
The Best Advice I Can Offer
Love God. Love people. And don’t forget to extend that same grace to yourself.
The Resources
Ambers Credentials
Did you go to college?
Yes! I attended Ohio Christian University from 2014-2019.
I have a B.S in English for AYA (Adolescent to Young Adult) and an A.A. in Biblical Studies.
I attended the Author Conservatory from 2021-2025. I have certificates in Professional and Creative Nonfiction Writing, Mental Health, Business, Research, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship. Use my referral link here if you’re interested in joining the Conservatory.
I am certified as a PRS for the State of Ohio, and a Board Certified Master Christian Mental Health Coach through Light University.
What are you certified to do?
I’m certified by Ohio Christian University to teach English Language Arts/Reading to grades 7-12, including, but not limited to Creating, Professional, and Technical Writing, Journalism, Yearbook, Editing, Research, Advanced English, General English, British Literature, American Literature, Special Topics in Literature, and more. My Biblical degree also enables me to teach all Bible classes and curriculum.
I’m certified by the Author Conservatory in Professional and Creative Nonfiction Writing, Mental Health, Business, Research, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship. This means I’m certified to write and teach professionally and help others with multiple skill sets.
I’m certified by Light University to act as a bridge between family and the mental healthcare system. As a Master Christian Mental Health Coach, I can offer 1-1, virtual, in-person, or group sessions. My goal is to provide individuals with serious mental disorders (like anxiety, depression, etc.) access to resources easily, and quickly. I help you manage your symptoms and disorders more effectively, grow closer to God, and develop hope.
Please note: Christian Coaching is not the same as a Licensed Clinical Counselor.
As a PRS (Peer Recovery Supporter), I’m certified to:
- Support people with mental health conditions (Mental health peer specialists).
- Connect with young people experiencing mental health challenges (Youth peer supporters).
- Help families navigate mental health systems (Family peer advocates).
What's your experience?
I’ve spent 10+ years in Educational classrooms. I’ve taught grades 6th-12th in a variety of private and public school settings (including a JDC), and the last five years teaching sophomores.
I’m the 1st place winner of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (BRMCWC) 2024 Young Adult Christian Nonfiction Foundation Award.
I’ve been publishing articles on faith and mental health since I started blogging at 16. I’ve published thousands of articles for platforms like Ohio Christian University, Southern Ohio Today, Daughter of Delight, The Rebelution, Kallos Magazine, Crossmap, and Servant Hearted Sisterhood. I’m also a regular contributor for Salem Web Network (iBelieve) where my articles are consistently ranked among the most popular on the site and have received tens of thousands of likes, comments, and shares on Facebook, as well as Whole Hearted Quiet Time, where I have thousands of additional likes, comments, shares, and saves.
I am certified by the AACC (Light University) as a Master of Christian Mental Health Coaching, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in Youth Mental Health First Aid USA, and PRS by the state of Ohio.
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