Amber May Dugas

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Amber works with clients who are ready to look beneath the surface-those who sense there’s more to them than what’s currently accessible, even if they can’t quite name it yet. Much of her work is rooted in Imago Relationship Therapy, which means we often explore how early relationships and caregiving experiences continue to shape emotional patterns, attachment, and self-connection today. Even when someone believes their childhood “was fine,” She is deeply curious about what was modeled, missed, or silently carried forward.

 

Amber is especially drawn to clients who are seeking meaning, purpose, or a deeper sense of connection—to themselves, others, and the world around them. Spirituality doesn’t have to look any one way; it might show up as curiosity about intuition, nature, cycles, symbolism, or simply a desire to live with more intention, and alignment.

 

Her approach is nervous-system-informed and body-aware. She works with clients who are open to learning how their body holds information, communicates needs, and signals safety or threat—rather than relying solely on logic or insight. Amber will teach you how to slow down, build awareness, and develop the ability to listen inwardly, fostering a more secure and grounded relationship with the self.

 

Nature is an essential part of her counseling work. Amber often invites clients to notice how human experiences mirror natural cycles—growth, rest, loss, renewal—and how reconnecting to these rhythms can bring clarity, self-compassion, and regulation. Therapy becomes a space not just for understanding, but for integration. Incorporating nature elements into sessions also aids the client in finding a safe space to explore their feelings openly.

 

This work is best suited for clients who are curious, reflective, and willing to explore the parts of themselves that feel fragmented, undeveloped, or unseen. You don’t need to arrive with all the answers—just a willingness to look honestly, listen deeply, and reconnect with what’s already within you.

 

Amber strives to create a safe, affirming space where all people feel seen, heard, and valued just as they are.  All individuals are welcome from every background, identity, and lived experience, and she is committed to fostering an environment free of judgement. She believes that both the challenges and joys we experience shape who we are, offering opportunities for growth, resilience, and deeper self-understanding. A single moment in life does not define you. Amber works alongside her clients to help them build insight, reconnect with their inner-strength, and move towards healing in a way that feels authentic to them. 

 

Amber primarily works with adolescents (13 years of age and up), adults, and couples within a holistic framework in the areas of anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, divorce, inner child healing, self-empowerment, trauma, and spirituality. Amber also has play therapy training and will often use unique interventions and sand tray techniques to help the client find new ways to understand and express themselves. She finds this is even helpful with adults! Amber’s therapeutic approaches usually center around existentialism, person-centered, strength-based, and Jungian modalities, including dream work. 

 

Amber earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education in 2006, and her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2023 from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) and is in the licensure process with the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselor’s Board of Examiners. In addition, Amber is also a Level 1 certified Ecotherapist and in the process of becoming a Level 2 certified Ecotherapist from the Earthbody Institute of California. 

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Outside of work, Amber enjoys connecting with nature, this is where her heart smiles the most! You will find her hiking, kayaking, cooking, fishing, traveling, camping, reading and watching the birds! She has a huge love for being creative and designing intentional spaces too. Amber loves spending time with her family and coming home to her three big dogs!  She is a Cajun girl, and her culture is important to her. 

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Amber is allied with the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities and culturally diverse populations. She makes a vigorous effort to continue building upon her knowledge of equity, inclusion, and diversity. She works with clients of diverse cultural, religious and spiritual backgrounds, incorporating the client's unique values and practices upon request.

 

Amber is a climate change aware therapist and enjoys supporting clients in coping with anxiety, grief, and any other feelings surrounding macro-level ecological stressors our world is facing.

 

Nature-Based Therapy Sessions

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Amber offers outdoor sessions that take place in natural environments around Acadiana or on the grounds of The Therapy Garden. They focus on building mindfulness, presence, meaning, and connection to ourselves through building relationship with more than human nature (plants, animals, earth, the cosmos, etc). When a person is able to find safety, connection and meaning in the present moment, especially with natural beings, they often report an increased sense of peace and clarity with the unknowns of the larger world.

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Therapy Modalities:

Imago Relationship Therapy (Level 1 Trained)

Brainspotting Trauma Therapy (Level 1 Trained)

Ecotherapy (Level 1 Trained)

Dream Processing & Jungian

Play Therapy Informed

Sandtray Therapy

Hormonal Health Informed

Polyvagal Theory and Somatics

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