Her Story
About Amber
Amber Hurst serves as a Care Manager in the psychology and behavioral health field, where she specializes in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), care coordination, and supporting children and families through individualized services. In her role, she helps connect children and their families with essential resources, including speech therapy and occupational therapy, while providing recommendations and guidance to support developmental and behavioral goals. Her passion for this work comes from a lifelong desire to help others, particularly children during critical developmental years between ages 2 and 8, which she believes play a significant role in shaping confidence, emotional growth, and future success.
Amber earned her B.A. in Psychology from Claflin Univ. and is currently completing her M.S. in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on child developmental psychology and evidence-based mental health practices. Throughout her career, she has gained experience in behavioral health, case management, special needs support, and ABA services, working alongside families and multidisciplinary teams to improve outcomes for children. She has further strengthened her professional expertise through certifications in HIPAA compliance and nurturing-focused training programs, while also achieving academic excellence through five terms of honor roll recognition. Amber maintains professional memberships with the American Psychological Association (APA) and Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society, reflecting her commitment to continued learning and advancement in the field.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Amber is dedicated to serving her community through volunteer work with Respite Care, a nonprofit organization in San Antonio that supports children with special needs. She also contributes to local outreach efforts by donating clothing to shelters and assisting those in need. Amber attributes her success to her commitment to creating positive change by helping children develop healthy coping skills, communicate their emotions effectively, and reach their full potential. Guided by values of honesty, compassion, and personal growth, she believes authenticity fosters meaningful progress and strives to maintain a healthy balance between her professional dedication and personal well-being.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amber
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for making a positive difference in the lives of children and helping them build a strong foundation for their future. I am driven by the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow in a healthy environment, develop meaningful skills, and learn effective ways to understand and express their emotions. My commitment to supporting children’s emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs continues to motivate me to grow professionally and provide compassionate, impactful care to the families I serve.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering the psychology and behavioral health field to be patient and compassionate with themselves throughout their journey. Building a successful career takes time, dedication, resilience, and continuous growth. Many people expect that earning a degree will immediately lead to their dream position, but professional development is a process that requires experience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. The work in mental health can be deeply rewarding, but it can also bring challenging experiences that require emotional strength and self-care. I encourage women entering this field to trust their journey, continue developing their skills, and remain committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the psychology and behavioral health field is navigating the evolving educational and professional requirements while working toward long-term career goals. When I began my academic journey, many opportunities emphasized the need for a bachelor’s degree, but as I progressed, I found that many positions required advanced education and specialized experience. I have learned the importance of being patient with myself, embracing each step of the process, and recognizing that meaningful career growth takes time. I view each opportunity as a chance to gain experience, develop my skills, and build a strong foundation that will allow me to achieve my long-term goals in the field.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, integrity, and maintaining a healthy balance. In the mental health field, I believe honesty is essential because meaningful growth and positive change can only happen when individuals receive genuine and constructive feedback. While it can sometimes be easier to tell people what they want to hear, I believe being truthful with compassion allows individuals to better understand themselves, overcome challenges, and continue growing. I also value maintaining a healthy work-life balance by being fully present and dedicated during working hours while making a conscious effort to disconnect from work after clocking out, allowing time for personal well-being and continued growth.
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