Kate Amber MSc

Creator of The Quicksand Model® of Coercive Control

Speaker • Trainer • Consultant • Expert Witness • Researcher

A research-informed framework helping professionals and systems identify, assess, and respond to coercive control.

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DOWNLOAD KATE’S CV

Most Innovative Service
2022

Student Achievement Award, University of Salford 2023

Outstanding Community Presentation or Education 2023

Domestic Violence Training Program 2024

Speaker & Trainer of The Year 2025

Outstanding Multi-Agency Partnership 2025

First 100 Plus Honoree, CCADV 2026

Speaker & Trainer of the Year 2026

ABOUT

Kate Amber MSc

Kate is an internationally recognised expert on coercive control. With more than 150 cases across 36 U.S. states, federal courts, and four countries, she provides research-based insight to help professionals, courts and organisations better understand and respond to coercive control.

She holds an MSc in the Psychology of Coercive Control from the University of Salford and is the creator of The Quicksand Model®, a practical framework grounded in peer-reviewed research.

RESEARCH
EDUCATION
TRAINING
SYSTEMS CHANGE

The Quicksand Model® is a brilliant educational tool that not only explains what victims of coercive control experience, but also how they are unsupported by the judicial system. I felt seen, and I felt like this was exactly what was needed to educate those systems in coercive control so that it would be more easily recognized. The Quicksand Model® is a brilliant tool, and I hope that in the future it will be a requirement for every police officer, judge, family relations counselor, and family law attorney.
– Research Participant
I left my husband 18 months ago and have read constantly about coercive control. But going through the study helped me the most. Everything is set out clearly. It broadened my understanding of all the issues; most of all, it released me from a lot of the guilty feelings I have had, such as how could I stay so long (18 years), how could I let him talk me out of acting on my beliefs, and most of all, how could I let him isolate me from my children. Our divorce trial will be in the next few months. I am so very grateful for the new clarity I have and strength I feel.
– WPM, Survivor Research Participant
– WPM, Survivor Research Participant
Paradigm-Shifting and Survivor-Centered! Excellent!
- Professional Training Attendee
- Professional Training Attendee
Wonderful Course! Hope you are able to continue to share this presentation with others.
- Professional Training Attendee

THE QUICKSAND MODEL®

Decoding Coercive Control

The Quicksand Model® is a research-informed framework that helps professionals and systems identify, assess, and respond to coercive control. It brings clarity to complex behaviours, supporting better decisions and safer outcomes.

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  • Patterns
  • Dynamics
  • Impact
  • Assessment
  • Response
CREDENTIALS
University of Salford, awarded With Distinction
University of Salford, awarded With Distinction
CREDENTIALS
More than 150 cases across 36 U.S. states, federal courts and four countries
Expert Witness
CREDENTIALS
A framework for identifying and responding to coercive control
The Quicksand Model®
CREDENTIALS
Professional Certificate in Leadership and Communication Harvard University
Harvard University
CREDENTIALS
Professional Certificate in Change Management Cornell University
Cornell University
CREDENTIALS
Executive Leadership and Violence and Abuse Prevention Post-Graduate Certification, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
CREDENTIALS
Danger Assessment Certification Jacquelyn C. Campbell, PhD, RN, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
The Danger Assessment
CREDENTIALS
Analysis of Patterns of Denial Certification, APOD Institute
Analysis of Patterns of Denial
CREDENTIALS
Family Court Specialty Certification Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma
Family Court Professional
CREDENTIALS
Peer-Reviewed Researcher Published in the International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation
Peer-Reviewed IJCAM Article
CREDENTIALS
Assessment Instrument Developer Co-developer of the CCAPOD, CCSI-12 and CCSG-12
CCAPOD
CREDENTIALS
Research Associate University of Salford
Research Associate University of Salford
CREDENTIALS
Author Entrapped, forthcoming 2027
Author Entrapped, forthcoming 2027
  • Expert Witness (150+ cases)
  • 36 U.S. states, federal courts and four countries
  • Award-winning researcher and advocate
  • International speaker and trainer
  • Creator of The Quicksand Model®

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

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Bring Kate’s expertise, research and real-world insight to your next event, institution or organization.

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Research.
Education.
Training.
Systems change.