Photo: Clear & Quiet Photography
What is Art for me?
To me, art making is self-expression, comfort, connection, and a way to attempt to make meaning of the world around us. I have used art throughout my life to explore and express personal experiences, both positive and negative, learning first hand the power that lies in art to heal and transform. I value art, play and curiosity in my own life and try to offer these things in my work with others as well.
Amber Burns
MS, ATR, LPC
Art Therapist
I work with participants across the lifespan to support them in achieving personal healing, growth and overall well-being. I draw from existential and person-centered theories to support my offerings of art therapy, as well as body-based approaches; mindfulness, somatic experiencing, and trauma-conscious yoga. I strive to offer participants a safe environment to feel, express and explore what they need to. Through grounding and collaboration, I work with participants to create the environment they need from session to session.
There are two aspects of being which have always been present: the need to be creative, and the desire to care for others. These two things shaped not only who I am and how I interact with the world but also led me on my path to becoming an art therapist. This path was encouraged and nurtured by family who also identify as creative-types, and friends and chosen family who believed in me.
I work with…
Adolescents, teens, emerging adults
Neurodiversity
Art based regulation and expression
Attachment, Adoption & foster placements
LGBTQIA+ Affirming
Strengths based support
My relationship with Yoga…
Additionally, I have been practicing yoga in some capacity for nearly 20 years. What began as an opportunity for exercise through my college rec center, has shaped itself into another integral part of my identity. My relationship with my own yoga practice has motivated me to continue pursuing opportunities for training in order to provide more offerings to my participants. I am continuing to develop my knowledge and relationship with somatic experiencing, the trauma-conscious yoga method, and mindfulness breathing and exercises.