Amber J. Ratcliffe, LPC, ATR-BC, RPT

Credentials

• Licensed Professional Counselor

• Board-Certified Art Therapist

• Registered Play Therapist

Education

Nazareth College, Rochester, NY (2013)
M.S. in Creative Arts Therapy

University at Albany, State University of New York (2008)
Completed 16 graduate credits in Sculpture

State University of New York at Fredonia (2006)
B.A. in Art History & Drawing (double major); Anthropology (minor)

University of South Florida, MUMA College of Business, Tampa FL (2021)
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate

Experience

Amber’s theoretical approach as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC), and registered play therapist (RPT), is rooted in a strengths-based, person-centered, psychodynamic foundation. Born with a passion for creativity and having benefited from the healing powers of nature and play herself, she dedicates her clinical service to fostering authentic living in people from diverse backgrounds and all stages of life.

Since 2011, she has provided creative arts therapy, behavioral therapy, and psychoeducation to patients in diverse settings including inpatient psychiatric, community outpatient, public education, rehabilitation, residential nursing homes, the medical arena, and more. Her specialized training in art and play therapy has been applied to treat a range of neurological and psycho-social challenges including but not limited to anxiety and depression, suicidal ideation, self-injurious behavior, eating disorders, autism, psychosis, traumatic brain injury, addictions, physical illness and cancer, as well as grief and trauma caused by violence, death of a loved one, abuse, abandonment, or stress triggered by a myriad of other life experiences and/or transitions. 

Amber earned a Master of Science degree in creative arts therapy that included internships at a treatment center for rehabilitating war veterans, an after-school program for children with special needs, three public schools, and a play therapy center for children and families. Additionally, she studied in Kerala, India to research and present on multiculturalism and ethics in art therapy, and completed a thesis on “Combining Art and Wilderness Therapy to Explore the Well-Being of Adults from Divorced Families.” 

After relocating to Colorado, she continued on to complete over 3,000 postgraduate supervised client contact hours in counseling and alternative therapies, over 150 hours of clinical supervision, extensive specialized postgraduate training and education in play therapy, and multiple exams for board certification. Amber has worked for a number of reputable organizations and has been a reviewer for PlayTherapy™ Magazine since 2013.