Your trusted partner in child and family support
Partnering with families to nurture connection, resilience, and emotional well-being
We partner with families to foster emotional health, resilience, and belonging — honoring each child’s unique voice and each family’s path to healing.
Before my career evolved to counseling, I was a teacher, a mentor, an advocate - navigating complex systems alongside children and the adults who love them. I have the lived experience of parenting and understand the relentless, beautiful, and messy reality of raising children.
On a personal level - I feel most alive when I’m connected to the natural world, hiking a forest trail, swimming with honu, playing fetch with my dog, laughing with loved ones, witnessing the sun rise or set across the ocean. I am an imperfect human who knows that mistakes are a part of learning.
My work sits at the intersection of education, advocacy, and clinical mental health. Because I have stood in these different worlds, I understand the specific layers you are navigating. I know the path to healing is unique to each person and family.
Hi, I'm Amber Ashford
"I believe that every child is doing the best they can with the tools they have. And I believe the same is true for you. Whether you are looking for support for your child, yourself, or your organization, there is a space here for you. My practice is fully inclusive of all ages, genders, ethnicities, religions, and sexualities. Come as you are and let’s collaborate to get you where you want to go. It is an honor to do this work."
- Amber
Professional Credentials
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) – State of Hawai'i
(Washington and California licensure coming soon)
Promising Minds Fellowship, Association for Infant Mental Health, Hawaii (AIMHI)
Trauma-Informed Care, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Child-Parent & Child-Teacher Relationship Training
Educators for Peaceful Classrooms & Communities
Positive Discipline Parenting Education
Educators for Peaceful Classrooms & Communities
National Board Certified Counselor
MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
BA Child & Adolescent Development
Child Centered Play Therapy
Expressive Arts & Nature Based Therapy
Yoga Kids International
Specialized Training
The Roots of My Approach
My practice is grounded in diverse traditions that honor the dignity of the child and the human need for connection:
Respectful Caregiving (RIE) & Reggio Emilia Philosophy: I believe children are capable, resilient, and deserving of respect from birth. I view the environment as the "third teacher", value “the hundred languages of children”, and prioritize agency over compliance. Relationships are at the heart of learning & healing.
Nature & Sensory Connection: the systemic reduction of outdoor, free-play, and movement opportunities for children as technology has advanced leaves many children dysregulated and many families feeling more connected to their screens than to each other. When we reconnect with the natural world and our own bodies, we experience a greater sense of belonging and health.
Democratic Education & Advocacy: I work through an anti-oppressive lens, recognizing how race, culture, and systemic barriers impact mental health. I believe in advocating for children's rights within the systems they live in.
Notable Team Member: Barbara Blue
Our Thera-paws in Training
Empower caregivers. With insight, compassion, and practical guidance, caregivers gain confidence in responding with intention instead of uncertainty.
Support your child’s inner world. Play creates a safe space for children to explore fears, questions, and experiences at a pace that feels right for them.
Build emotional regulation. Through play and attuned support, children develop the skills to navigate big feelings and life’s challenges with greater confidence.
Strengthen connection. When children feel truly seen and accepted, trust grows and relationships become a source of safety rather than stress.
Make sense of challenging behavior. By understanding what children are communicating beneath the surface, responses become clearer, calmer, and more effective.
Together We Can...
