Meet Your Provider

I am Dr. Amber Collins a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 20 years of nursing experience. I founded Wayfinder Psychiatric Wellness with a simple belief: mental health care should honor the whole person and be accessible to those who need it. I am deeply committed to providing compassionate, person-centered psychiatric care where you feel seen, heard, and supported.

I have spent more than two decades in nursing across various settings, giving me an extensive background in caring for people with a variety of health concerns. After repeatedly seeing the impacts of mental health and the interconnectedness with physical health combined with my first-hand experience with mental health care, I decided to specialize in psychiatry. I understand that medication management is just one part of mental health care which is why my approach is functional, integrative, and holistic.

When not in the office you can find me in nature walking a trail, hiking, or just sitting under a tree with a book. I enjoy being active and rarely turn down a yoga class or a sound bath to bring me back to a calm grounded state after a busy day. I enjoy coloring and playing games of kinds. I am an animal lover and share my home with 2 dogs, a cat, a bearded dragon, guinea pig, and rabbits. I volunteer at the SPCA of the Triad when time allows.

Let’s get a little personal…
My first-hand experience, referenced above, is complex and layered just like many of my clients. And like too many “late-diagnosed” autistic parents my own diagnosis came after my oldest child’s. Yes, I am autistic. AuDHD actually and no that is not in the DSM but I do not pathologize my client’s diagnoses or my own. My lived experience gives me another perspective to mental health care and allows me to have deeper insight to the experiences of many of my clients.

Credentials & Education

Doctorate in Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health
– University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bachelor in Science of Nursing
– University of Phoenix

Certifications:
– Nutritional Therapist
– Fitness Nutritionist
– Personal Training (expired)
– Reiki Master Teacher

Continuing education in developmental disabilities, pediatric behavior and assessment, holistic nursing and integrative psychiatry.

In progress:
– Functional Psychiatry Certification

My Philosophy & Approach

Healing is not one-size-fits-all. My care is:

Personalized & collaborative — we build your treatment plan together, guided by your values and goals.
Evidence-informed & integrative — I blend traditional psychiatry with lifestyle, mindfulness, and complementary options when helpful.
Compassionate, neuroaffirming, & trauma-informed — I create a safe, respectful space for self-discovery and growth for all.

I draw from a range of therapeutic frameworks, including strength based, solution focused, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness, ACT, DBT, Family Systems, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and trauma-informed care.