Affirming and Compassionate Care
Virtual Therapy
Individual psychotherapy is available for adults ages 18 and older. Dr. Amber Parker is licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in Virginia and offers convenient and accessible sessions virtually in any PSYPACT state.
Fill out the contact form below, schedule a free 15-minute consultation, or contact the office to learn more.
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Areas of Practice
I specialize in treating anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and mood disorders such as depression and bipolar. Common areas of focus include life transitions, identity, and overwhelm.
Complex presentations are accepted here. If you have a chronic illness and anxiety or OCD and depression, welcome! If you are a person in their 30s who has been diagnosed with ADHD for years but wonders if you are autistic and whether your anxiety is actually OCD and maybe you’re also queer… therapy can be the place to explore all of those parts of yourself without judgment.
I am passionate about providing neurodivergent affirming therapy and welcome individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Therapeutic Approach
My approach to therapy is deeply relational and focuses on authenticity and honoring your lived experience. Growth occurs within the context of building a secure, compassionate, and respectful connection between therapist and client. My style tends to be a good fit for clients who are analytical, high achieving, and perfectionistic but interested in developing their emotional depth and self-compassion.
I do not follow a strict treatment regimen or throw a predetermined list of coping skills at you. I believe healing begins within the therapy session. As we work together, we can uncover not only what you’re feeling but the reasons why you respond that way. I enjoy helping people develop a clearer sense of their identity with an awareness of how their brain and body operate in tandem. My goal is not to change you. It is to help you learn how to accept yourself as a whole. From there, we can determine what responses are harming you more than helping, what perspectives or narratives are keeping you stuck, and how acting in accordance with your values can lead to a meaningful life.
In practice, this can look like:
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Helping the people pleaser understand when they assumed responsibility for others’ emotions before learning how to set firmer boundaries in their relationships.
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Helping the person with depression understand the difference between their voice and the depression before learning how to actively support themselves through the dark days.
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Helping the anxious person understand why their brain is trying to protect them with constant rumination and anticipating danger before learning how to create a mental distance from those thoughts and instead take action based on their personal goals and values.
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Helping the ADHDer understand why and when they started labeling their behavior as “lazy” before learning to accept their differences and build systems to compassionately accommodate their needs.
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Helping the person who recently connected with their queer identity understand why they feel more lost now before exploring how to gently lean into this new recognition of their true self.
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Helping the perfectionist understand why they value achievement and productivity as signs of self-worth before learning how to practice self-compassion and set aside time to rest.
Treatment modalities I utilize include Humanistic Existential, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness. For OCD specifically I apply Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), and ACT.
If you are interested, I welcome various forms of self-expression into the session. This could include journal entries, art pieces, spiritual practices (ranging all the way from Bible passages that resonated with you to your recent Tarot pull), autistic special interests, a song that is meaningful to you, and much more. If something opens a door to your understanding, bring it to the session!
Still have questions? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn more.
Follow the links below to learn more about different types of therapy with Dr. Amber Parker.
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Anxiety
Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, ruminations, and more. Learn to craft a life based on your personal values instead of your fears.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Effective treatment with Exposure and Response Prevention, a first-line treatment for OCD.
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Mood Disorders
Learn to recognize your mood rhythms and how to apply effective strategies for both recovery from episodes and maintenance of stability.
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Neurodivergent Affirming Therapy
Support for navigating the world with your neurodivergent identity as the roadmap. Addressing masking, environmental accommodations, relationships, and your unique needs in a society that assumes we are all neurotypical.
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LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy
Incorporating the intersection of your queer identity with your mental health. Treatment of you as a whole person and acknowledgement of the stress inherent in navigating a heteronormative world.
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Life Transitions
Support for all of the stages of life, especially the dramatic hormonal shifts accompanying transitions during the reproductive years. Includes the perinatal, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause periods.
Conditions Dr. Parker Does Not Treat
Dr. Parker does not provide targeted therapy for eating disorders, substance or alcohol abuse, anger management, or trauma*. These experiences often require specialized expertise.
*Many people have experienced trauma in their lives, but enter therapy for broader or different reasons. Dr. Parker is competent in addressing any of the concerns listed above as part of a larger constellation of experiences that includes traumatic events. If you are seeking specifically trauma-focused treatment, Dr. Parker recommends securing a therapist trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or another evidence-based trauma therapy modality.
What is on-line therapy like?
On-line therapy works much like in-person therapy does. The content of the session will be the same. Your privacy is protected thanks to the HIPAA-secure telehealth app. Prior to your session with Dr. Amber Parker, you will log in to the Client Portal using your chosen username and password. Downloading the Therapy Appointment app is optional, as the session will work in your internet browser as well. A blue LAUNCH button will appear on the screen, and clicking on it will admit you to the virtual waiting room. Dr. Parker will start the session at your appointed time. Many people appreciate the convenience of on-line therapy, as they can access sessions from home or work (if they have a private office).
What equipment do I need to participate in telehealth sessions?
To attend telehealth appointments with Dr. Parker, you will need a reliable internet connection. A computer or cell phone with audio and video capabilities is also required. It is important to find a comfortable, private location for your sessions so you can speak freely.
Is virtual therapy as effective as in-person treatment?
Yes! Research has demonstrated that virtual therapy and in-person therapy yield similar results. In fact, the therapeutic relationship is often cited as the most powerful indicator of a positive therapy outcome. Both virtual and in-person options have advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to consider which option is the best fit for you. For example, if the idea of traveling to an office or sitting in an unfamiliar waiting room could be a barrier to attending therapy, then virtual treatment could be more desirable. In addition, some people prefer on-line sessions because it allows them to attend therapy in a comfortable and familiar environment. You can select your seat, wrap up in a blanket, and easily have water or snacks close by. Meeting on-line from your home provides opportunities to sit, stand, walk around, or stim as needed.
Who is not a good fit for on-line therapy?
Individuals in need of more intensive treatment are not a good fit for on-line therapy. If you have recently been hospitalized for a psychiatric reason (in the past year) or if you are experiencing a high risk of self-harm, then in-person therapy is recommended. Also consider your personal level of comfort with meeting virtually.
What happens if I lose internet connection in the middle of a virtual therapy session?
Dr. Parker has a series of steps to follow in the event of internet disruption or connection issues. First, she will attempt to restart the session. If that is unsuccessful, she will call you on the phone to troubleshoot the problem. If the telehealth platform is experiencing a loss of service, you may transition to an alternative platform (a backup HIPAA-secure platform called Doxy.me). If internet connectivity is an issue on either end, you may transition to a telephone call for the duration of the session.
