Smiling woman in yellow blazer sitting with her chin on her hand, and a woman with curly hair and a girl with braided hair and braces smiling on a beige couch in a cozy room.

Helping you heal from trauma, strengthen your relationships, & live with authenticity & ease.

As a clinical psychologist and trauma expert, I help parents + adults heal from generational trauma and cultivate emotionally healthy families built on connection, peace, and intention.

LETS WORK TOGETHER

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Based in Washington, DC, and serving clients across 40+ PSYPACT states.

A young girl with braces and braided hair smiling while talking to a woman with curly hair, who is smiling and touching her shoulder. They are sitting on a couch in a warmly decorated room.

My approach is simple:

to help you reconnect

with joy, peace, and a

deeper sense of self.

You deserve to show up as the person, partner, and parent you want to be—grounded, whole, and emotionally present.

I work with adults who are ready to heal old wounds, release survival-mode patterns, and create lives that feel balanced and emotionally fulfilling. Together, we focus on helping you prioritize your own wellness, so that you can experience more ease, connection, and joy in every part of your life.

A smiling woman with curly hair sitting by a window, holding a pen and a notebook.

As a wife, mom of two, and clinical psychologist, I understand how easy it is to pour into everyone else while running on empty yourself. I know what it feels like to juggle responsibilities, strive for balance, and wonder where your own needs fit in.

I’m passionate about helping parents and adults—especially high-achieving women and Black mothers—redefine wellness on their own terms. My work combines clinical expertise with lived experience, offering compassionate, culturally responsive therapy that honors both your resilience and your humanity.

Here’s what you can expect when we work together:

1

A licensed psychologist with active credentials and trauma-informed training.

2

A therapist who understands the realities of modern parenthood, career demands, and identity stress.

3

A holistic approach that centers your emotional wellness, helping you build a life grounded in balance, connection, and authenticity.

A woman with dark curly hair and a white lace sleeveless top sitting at a desk with a laptop, smiling at the camera, with a green plant on a woven shelf behind her.

As both a psychologist and a person, my work is rooted in helping you create lasting emotional wellness through therapy that feels both grounded and human.

I help parents and adults heal from relational and childhood trauma so they can live with more ease, joy, and connection in their daily lives. My work centers emotional wellness, conscious parenting, and breaking generational cycles with compassion and intention.

I’m the author of A Parent’s Guide to Self-Regulation and a nationally recognized expert in parenting, trauma, and family mental health.

Based in Washington, DC, I provide virtual psychotherapy and parent support across 40+ PSYPACT states.

SEE HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER

core values

The foundation of my therapy approach is rooted in these core values — each one shaping the kind of safe, transformative space we’ll build together.

I create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and accepted—without shame, guilt, or fear of judgment. Healing starts when you can finally exhale and just be.

non-judgement

My work is grounded in helping you break intergenerational cycles, nurture your inner self, and build emotional wellness that lasts. Healing is both a process and a homecoming.

healing

I show up with honesty and realness, honoring the truth of every person’s story—mine included. Authentic connection is the foundation of meaningful change.

authenticity

I guide people toward reclaiming their voice, power, and agency—especially in spaces where they’ve felt unseen or silenced. Empowerment is learning to take up space with confidence and compassion.

empowerment

vulnerability

I believe healing begins when we allow ourselves to be open and human, even when it’s hard. Vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s courage in motion.

joy

I center joy as both resistance and restoration. It is a reminder that pleasure, laughter, and rest are essential parts of emotional well-being. Joy is medicine, and you deserve it.

When you’re ready to begin your healing journey, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

Let's Work Together

work with me

THERAPY & PARENT COACHING

I offer trauma-informed therapy and parent coaching for adults who want to feel emotionally balanced, confident, and connected. Together, we’ll explore what’s beneath the stress — healing old wounds, improving relationships, and learning to care for yourself as deeply as you care for everyone else.

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, burnout, or family challenges, this is a safe space to grow with intention and compassion.

Book A Therapy Consultation

SPEAKING

I deliver engaging keynotes, workshops, and presentations that bring psychology to life in accessible, empowering ways. Audiences walk away with a deeper understanding of emotional wellness, trauma healing, and conscious parenting—along with practical tools they can use immediately.

From intimate groups to corporate events, I bring warmth, expertise, and storytelling that inspires lasting change.

Inquire About Speaking

A PARENT’S GUIDE TO SELF-REGULATION

Discover practical tools for managing emotions, reactions, and behavior—in both yourself and your children.

A Parent’s Guide to Self-Regulation is a compassionate, research-based resource designed to help overwhelmed parents nurture emotional balance and connection at home.

Get the Book

“Before working with Dr. Amber, I felt like I was drowning. It changed my life and reminded me of all things that gave me joy. I was doing so much for everybody around me but was not doing anything for me.”
"I recently attended Dr. Thornton’s workshop, From Reactivity to Response: Equipping Parents with Effective Emotional Regulation Skills, and it exceeded my expectations. Dr. Thornton's clear and engaging style made complex concepts easy to understand and apply. The well-structured session included real-life examples, interactive exercises, and personalized feedback, all of which deepened my understanding and skills. The practical tools I gained from this workshop are invaluable both professionally and personally. It’s an experience I highly recommend for anyone looking to enhance emotional regulation, especially parents, caregivers, mental health providers, educators. "
"Dr. Amber has a strong ability to support and connect with mom's seeking solutions. She is respected both as a clinician and a colleague. Overall, she provides a wealth of solid clinical knowledge!"
"Dr. Amber Thornton delivered a dynamic, insightful presentation on parent dysregulation for the Adolescent and Family Services team at The Family Institute. Grounded in the principles of her book, A Parent’s Guide to Self-Regulation, she offered a clear, practical framework for understanding and addressing emotional dysregulation in parents. Her engaging style, clinical expertise, and use of real-world examples empowered therapists with actionable strategies to support parents in managing their emotions and improving their parenting. The presentation was highly valued for its relevance, clarity, and immediate applicability in clinical practice."
“When you work with Dr. Amber for Parent Coaching, you’ll find a supportive, non-judgmental space to explore the challenges and questions that come with raising children. With authenticity, warmth, and deep clinical expertise, Dr. Amber helps you untangle patterns, understand your stress responses, and respond to your child with more calm and clarity. These sessions are not about perfection — they’re about healing, growing, and becoming a more empowered and joyful version of yourself as a parent. Together, you’ll uncover tools and insights that honor both your vulnerability and your strength.”
"Dr. Thornton is a very skilled and intentional Psychologist aiding clients to reach treatment goals. She is amazing to collaborate with when working with adolescents and families. Dr. Thornton is a great resource for client-centered trauma-informed care."
“Dr. Amber’s Monthly Parent Workshop Series is a supportive, judgment-free space for parents who want to raise emotionally healthy children while also doing their own healing work. Each month, Dr. Amber guides parents through real conversations about emotional regulation, breaking generational patterns, and building strong, connected relationships with their children. Rooted in authenticity, empowerment, and joy, these workshops offer practical tools, meaningful reflection, and community with other growth-minded parents. Whether you’re navigating everyday stress or deeper family dynamics, you’ll leave feeling seen, supported, and more equipped to parent with intention.”

DISCLAIMER: The information provided throughout www.dramberthornton.com is for educational and informational purposes only. Using or seeking information from this website does not establish a therapeutic relationship between you and Dr. Amber Thornton. Communication of any form with Dr. Amber Thornton does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Therefore, communication with Dr. Amber Thornton or any information you provide via this website is not privileged or confidential. Any and all services rendered by Dr. Amber Thornton Consulting, LLC should not be considered therapeutic services and do not establish a therapeutic relationship.