Institute for Creative Mindfulness

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 specializing in PTSD, issues related to abuse and trauma, addiction treatment (chemical and behavioral), co-occurring disorders, issues specific to military, law enforcement, first responders and their families, LGBTQ and women and children’s issues. She earned a Master of Science in Education in Community Counseling from Youngstown State University and is a contributing faculty instructor at her alma mater in both the College of Education, Department of Counseling and Special Education and the College of Health and Human Services in the Social Work Department providing course and class instruction to graduate level students related to clinical mental health counseling.Amber has worked in mental health and chemical dependency treatment providing therapy as a residential, outpatient and dual diagnosis counselor. She is the Clinical Director of Blue Star Family Counseling Services, Inc., a non-profit comprehensive trauma counseling agency in Cortland, Ohio which specializes in the treatment of military personnel, first responders, law enforcement and their family members. 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, where she assists in debriefing law enforcement, police, fire, EMS and 911 Dispatch personal after they have been subjected to a potentially traumatic event within the community. 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 works at Homes For Kids, Inc. as a trauma expert, assisting with special projects, program development, and integrating trauma informed care standards throughout the agency. As the former Supervisor of Foster Care, she has extensive experience treating and overseeing the treatment of children and families.Amber is a Certified Master EMDR Therapist, Trainer and Approved Consultant through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). She is also a member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, the American Counseling Association, the Ohio Counseling Association 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 and EMDR advanced topics courses. 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, and crisis intervention. Her trainings provide an emphasis on the effects of trauma and the treatment needs of individuals, including children, military and other specialized occupations such as police, fire and EMS at the local, state and national level.