AMES Therapy

04/12/2026

Shelby the talk trailer and nature locations for therapy returning April 20!

04/11/2026

Sometimes talking isn’t enough.

Walk & Talk Therapy integrates:
• Somatic awareness (tracking body sensations)
• EMDR-informed processing
• Bilateral stimulation through walking

Movement itself can support the brain’s natural processing system.

You might notice:
• Thoughts becoming clearer
• Emotional intensity shifting
• A greater sense of “unstuckness”

Nature + movement + evidence-based therapy = deeper processing.

03/30/2026

So what’s the strategy?

“Check the Evidence Gently”
When you notice yourself scanning for danger, try:

“What do I know right now — not what might happen?”

Then orient to:
• current medical information
• what your doctor has said
• what your body is doing in this moment

This helps shift from future-based fear → present-based reality without dismissing your experience.

03/28/2026

During a medical crisis, life becomes structured around:

• appointments
• test results
• decisions
• getting through the next step

Your brain prioritizes function over feeling.

This is adaptive.

But it often means emotional processing is delayed.

Later, when stability returns, you may notice:

• unexpected sadness
• emotional exhaustion
• fear or uncertainty
• difficulty relaxing

Nothing “new” is happening.
Your system is finally allowing what was put on hold.

Delayed emotion is not dysfunction — it’s timing.

03/27/2026

For some people, it’s not one medical event.

It’s one diagnosis…
then another…
then another.

Just as you begin to adjust, something new emerges.

This creates a different kind of stress:

• ongoing uncertainty
• difficulty feeling settled in your body
• anticipating the “next thing”
• emotional fatigue from repeated adaptation

This is cumulative medical trauma.

It’s not just what happened once —
it’s what keeps happening.

Your system isn’t overreacting. It’s responding to a pattern.

Strategy — “Name the Layer”
When things feel overwhelming, pause and ask:
“What layer am I reacting to right now?”

Is it:
• the current issue
• a past experience
• fear of what might come next

Gently separating these reduces overwhelm and helps your brain organize the experience instead of stacking everything together.

03/27/2026

https://www.amestherapy.ca/post/emotional-and-mental-health-after-organ-transplant

Mental Health After Organ TransplantAn organ transplant is often described as a miracle, and it is! However, the emotional recovery after transplant can take much longer than the physical healing. During the transplant journey, many recipients and caregivers enter what psychologists call survival mo...

03/17/2026

Continuing with themes of Organ Transplant Mental Health. When someone receives an organ transplant, the focus is understandably on survival and medical recovery. Families and caregivers often spend months — sometimes years — living in a constant state of alert. There are appointments, decisions...

03/16/2026

Caregivers of transplant recipients often push through months or years of intense vigilance and then suddenly hit a wall. Our new blog post — Understanding Caregiver Crash: Organ Transplant Mental Health — explores why this happens, signs to watch for, and practical steps to support recovery. Read more: https://wix.to/joP4Te7

Continuing with themes of Organ Transplant Mental Health. When someone receives an organ transplant, the focus is understandably on survival and medical recovery. Families and caregivers often spend months — sometimes years — living in a constant state of alert. There are appointments, decisions...

03/13/2026

There are many misconceptions about therapy that stop people from reaching out for support. Let’s break down a few common ones:

Myth #1: Therapy is only for when something is really wrong.
Fact: Therapy isn’t just for crisis situations. It can also support personal growth, help you navigate life transitions, improve relationships, and build healthier coping strategies.

Myth #2: Talking about trauma makes it worse.
Fact: When processed safely in a supportive environment, discussing difficult experiences can help the brain reprocess them and reduce their emotional impact over time. Trauma-informed approaches help ensure this work happens at a pace that feels safe.

Myth #3: Therapy is just talking.
Fact: Therapy can involve many different approaches depending on your needs. This may include trauma-informed care, EMDR, mindfulness practices, somatic awareness, or even nature-based therapy.

At AMES Therapy, the goal is to create a space where therapy can be tailored to the individual. Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all, and the process should support both your mind and body.

✨ You don’t have to wait for a crisis to prioritize your mental health.

03/08/2026

Happy International Women’s Day to all that identify! 🎉

03/08/2026

Sometimes the most important conversation you’ll have is the one you have with yourself.

Journaling with words or drawings can help you slow down and make sense of what you’re feeling. If you don’t know where to start after experiencing trauma, try these prompts:

• What am I feeling right now?
• What might this feeling be trying to tell me?
• What do I need in this moment?

You don’t need perfect words — just honesty.

Small moments of reflection can create meaningful change over time. I’m here to help you understand your thoughts and find ways to help you process trauma whether that be through journaling, art, nature walks or simple conversation.

03/07/2026

Mutual silence can develop in transplant families when everyone tries to protect one another emotionally. In our latest blog, Amy Haertel explores how caregivers and recipients often hide fears and how open communication can heal relationships as well as minds. Read more: https://wix.to/qPUsBLo