Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Foster.
Hi Amber, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey began when I left the small town in Wisconsin where I grew up and moved across the country to Austin, Texas. One of the first things I did after settling in was volunteer at the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Shortly after that, I began working part-time at a local women’s shelter. That experience inspired me to pursue a degree in social work.
I attended Texas State University, where I earned my Bachelor’s in Social Work. During that time, I realized I wanted to do direct practice, though I wasn’t yet sure what that would look like for me. About a week after graduation, I moved to Arlington to begin my graduate studies at UT Arlington. I completed their advanced standing program and earned my Master’s in Social Work in just one year.
My first job after graduate school was with Child Protective Services, where I discovered my calling to become a clinical social worker and provide trauma therapy to survivors of abuse. I wanted to offer people hope and remind them that even in the darkest times, light still exists.
After CPS, I worked for Dallas County providing substance abuse counseling for women on probation for prostitution. It was there that I saw how deeply flawed the system was. Many of these women were victims of intimate partner violence and human trafficking who turned to drugs to cope with the trauma they had endured since childhood. That experience led me to Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, where I finally found my place. I worked as a Women’s and Children’s Therapist and later as the Assistant Clinical Director.
After four years with Genesis and in the midst of the pandemic when mental health needs were skyrocketing I took a leap of faith and started my own private practice. Infinite Hope Counseling, PLLC was born. What began as just me has now grown into a small team as I have two other counselors who work with me and share the same heart for trauma-informed care.
While I continue to work with survivors of abuse, my practice now serves a broader range of clients. I specialize in relational trauma, including intimate partner violence, family of origin trauma, racial trauma, religious trauma, and sexual trauma.
My approach is holistic and client-centered, integrating polyvagal theory, attachment theory, Adaptive Information Processing (AIP), mindfulness, and trauma informed yoga. I’m certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), as a 200-hour yoga teacher and trained in the Trauma Conscious Yoga Method. I also have training in Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as well as Theraplay.
In addition to my clinical work, I serve as an EMDR Consultant and Board-Approved Licensing Supervisor for social workers. I also enjoy public speaking and raising awareness to the issues I specialize in. I’ll also be launching a blog focused on mental health and healing in the coming months.
I am so very grateful to my mentors, my colleagues, and especially the clients who continue to trust me with their stories. Every one of them has shaped the therapist and person I’ve become.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve been very blessed along the way, but there have certainly been obstacles and challenges that have taught me resilience and perspective. One of the most significant came in 2021, just months after leaving Genesis to run my private practice full-time. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that not only impacts the joints but also causes symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, anemia, skin rashes, and malaise.
It was a major shift. I went from having PTO and excellent insurance to being self-employed, trying to navigate healthcare on my own. Around the same time, I relocated back to Austin briefly, which added another layer of transition.
The diagnosis hit hard. I struggled with pain, chronic fatigue, and medication that made me sick for hours each morning. I’d wake at 4 a.m. to take my meds early enough to be functional for my first client. There were moments when I questioned my decision to leave the stability of my previous job for the uncertainty of private practice.
Nevertheless, I adapted. On days when the pain was too much, I rescheduled. When it was manageable, I worked. I created a schedule with built in breaks and a three day weekend. Being able to work from home really helped. Life became a rhythm of working and resting. Over time, my body adjusted to the medication, and I regained strength. I also sought therapy to process the impact of chronic illness on my lifestyle. Therapists need therapists too!
Ultimately, RA made me a more compassionate and understanding therapist. I noticed how chronic illness and trauma often intersect. Even when clients didn’t come to me for medical issues, my experience allowed me to better understand their struggles and meet them with even more empathy.
Today, my RA is well-managed. I’m active again, mindful of my limits, and grateful for the balance I’ve found. That experience reinforced a lesson I carry into my practice every day: walking through challenges alongside someone whether it’s illness, trauma, or loss deepens connection and opens the way for genuine healing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Infinite Hope Counseling, PLLC?
Infinite Hope Counseling, PLLC is a small group practice offering virtual therapy across Texas and in person sessions in Addison. We provide individual psychotherapy for adults and teens. My team includes two amazing therapists: Alejandra Ramirez, LMSW, and Kristina Kirwin, LCSW. Both are EMDR trained and have experience supporting survivors of intimate partner violence. Together, we share the goal to be a light in the darkness and offer hope through healing.
While we all specialize in trauma, each of us brings something unique. Alejandra is bilingual, has a background in school social work, and is passionate about supporting first-generation Americans. Kristina began her career working with refugees and has found passion in perinatal mental health, recently became certified as a Perinatal Mental Health professional (PMH-C). As I mentioned earlier my focus is on various types of relational trauma, mentoring other clinicians, and raising awareness to these issues in the community.
Our approach is inclusive, trauma informed, and holistic. We don’t do not do cookie cutter therapy; every client has a unique story and deserves treatment that is tailored to their needs. We operate within the ethical framework of the National Association of Social Workers and uphold its standards in every session. We are committed to lifelong learning and ensure that we continually improve and provide the highest quality of care.
We also offer a free phone consultation for all prospective clients. Beginning therapy can be an overwhelming experience and we want to ensure that we are the best fit for our clients. If a client’s needs fall outside our expertise, we refer them out to ensure they receive the best care.
I am so proud of the work we do at Infinite Hope. We strive to help clients feel heard, empowered, and supported on their journey to healing.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
There are many things I enjoy about the city. I appreciate the diverse neighborhoods, museums and the selection of restaurants. I also enjoy the outdoors so I appreciate all of the parks, trails, lakes, and of course The Arboretum. Dallas feels like home to me, this is where my career started and where I have created amazing friendships. I feel like there is always something new to explore. I think we can all agree that toll roads and traffic are the worst parts of the city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.infinitehopetx.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findinghopewithamber/
