'Amber is an honest woman!': Heard visits her lawyer and a 'love guru' as her ex-girlfriend insists star's 2009 domestic violence arrest was 'homophobic' 

Amber Heard's ex-girlfriend Tasya van Ree has broken her silence to defend the actress, calling her 'honest'. 

Van Ree spoke out out after news broke of Amber's 2009 arrest for misdemeanor domestic violence against the artist - dismissing the charge as being motivated by 'homophobia'.

Amber has filed for divorce from Johnny Depp and has in turn accused him of domestic violence. On Wednesday she was seen with famed love guru Dr Connell Cowan and made a visit to a lawyer.

'It's disheartening that Amber's integrity and story are being questioned yet again,' van Ree wrote in a statement to E! News.

Heard is pictured with famed love guru Dr Connell Cowan on Wednesday in Los Angeles

'She is an honest woman!' Amber Heard's ex Tasya van Ree says actress' 2009 arrest for domestic violence was 'homophobic'; Amber is seen in Los Angeles on Wednesday visiting a lawyer

'Amber is a brilliant, honest and beautiful woman and I have the utmost respect for her. We shared 5 wonderful years together and remain close to this day.'

It was reported this week that the actress grabbed van Ree's arm, was arrested and booked for misdemeanor domestic violence in a 2009 incident.  

Her mugshot was taken and she appeared in court the following day. 

However, insists van Ree, the attention the historic incident has gathered is misplaced. 

'Beautiful': Tasya insisted the pair remained friends

Close: 'In 2009, Amber was wrongfully accused for an incident that was misinterpreted and over-sensationalized by two individuals in a powerful position,' Tasya writes

Dr Cowan co-wrote the book 'Smart Women/Foolish Choices: Finding the Right Men Avoiding the Wrong Ones'

'In 2009, Amber was wrongfully accused for an incident that was misinterpreted and over-sensationalized by two individuals in a powerful position,' she writes.

'I recount hints of misogynistic attitudes toward us which alter appeared to be homophobic when they found out we were domestic partners and not just "friends." Charges were quickly dropped and she was released moments later.' 

Her statement came as Amber was seen visiting a lawyer in Los Angeles on Wednesday. She was also seen with Dr Connell Cowan on Wednesday. 

It was reported by X17 Online that he is the famed clinical psychologist who co-wrote the book 'Smart Women/Foolish Choices: Finding the Right Men Avoiding the Wrong Ones'. He also co-authored 'The Art of War for Lovers'.

As they were: Amber (pictured, left) was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence towards her then partner Van Ree (right) in 2009

The 30-year-old made a low key arrival in a wide-brimmed hat as she arrived to see the love guru. 

Amber looked preoccupied as she strolled into the private residence, dressed in a pair of loose jeans, smart black shirt and studded pumps. 

TMZ also reported that Heard had asked cops to erase her domestic violence records after she started dating Depp. 

Michele Shaw, Amber's lawyer, sent a letter to the Port of Seattle Police Department on November 14, 2011. In it she asked to delete the criminal history. 

Shaw points out that under Washington law she was eligible because she was never prosecuted. 

Covered all bases: While gay marriage was not legal at the time, former couple (pictured 2010) did everything that would make them as legally close to married legally changed her name to Amber Van Ree and stated the reason to do so as they were in a 'domestic partnership'

It was previously revealed that Heard once considered herself married to van Ree.

While gay marriage was not legal at the time, the couple did everything that would make them as legally close to married as possible.

The two women viewed themselves as a married couple even if on paper the word was not available to them eight years ago.

The actress went as far as changing her last name to match her photographer love's name.

On March in 2008 in California, the star legally changed her name to Amber Van Ree and stated the reason to do so as they were in a 'domestic partnership'. She later changed her name back to Heard.

Secret wedding: A source said the two women held a private ceremony three years after Amber changed her name to celebrate their love

Bruises: Amber claims the 52-year-old actor attacked her while drunk and high over last weekend - and it was not the first time that he had done so

Three months later, California started issuing marriage licences to gay couples but that was halted later that year, with gay marriage not legal in California again until 2013 and across the US until 2015.

It was Amber's continued friendship with her former wife that reportedly led to Johnny's alleged explosive anger at the star.

Amber claims the 52-year-old actor attacked her last month while drunk and high - and it was not the first time that he had done so.

Amber said in documents submitted to a Los Angeles court following her split from Johnny that she 'truly feared my life was in danger' more than once during the couple's 15-month marriage.

The star successfully argued she need restraining order against her estranged husband, who she says smashed up their home and threw his iPhone phone at her leaving her battered and bruised.

Amber said: 'Johnny has a long-held and widely acknowledged public and private history of drug and alcohol abuse. He has a short fuse.

'He is often paranoid and his temper is exceptionally scary for me as it has proven many times to be physically dangerous and/or life threatening to me.'

She also said: 'During the entirety of our relationship, Johnny has been verbally and physically abusive to me.

'I endured excessive emotional, verbal and physical abuse from Johnny, which has included angry, hostile, humiliating and threatening assaults to me whenever I questioned his authority or disagreed with him. I live in fear that Johnny will return to (our house) unannounced to terrorise me, physically and emotionally.'  

Asked for protection: The star (pictured Janurary) successfully argued she need restraining order against her estrange husband, but failed to get the same for her dog Pistol, who was a present from ex Tasya