Jonathan Ames, Ph.D.
Providing Personal Support
What I Do...
From 2011 until February, 2017, I lived and practiced in New Zealand, providing psychological services to District Health Board clients throughout the country. However, I am now resettled again in the Ithaca, New York area, where I have resumed my work. My core clinical practices remain as they were:
Additional offerings include:
So what do we, as Client and Therapist, actually do?
Limitations
When practicing as an Internet-based provider, I cannot offer timely responses to crisis situations (though whenever advisable, I establish connections with other healthcare providers working with you). Therefore, in cases where suicide or violence are actively contemplated, where other imminent dangers exist, e.g. abusive relationships, or where there is urgent need for medication and local care, a more immediate provider should be retained. In crisis situations, emergency services should be sought, e.g., 111 (New Zealand) or 911 (USA). I can provide support if needed as such services are located and respond.
From 2011 until February, 2017, I lived and practiced in New Zealand, providing psychological services to District Health Board clients throughout the country. However, I am now resettled again in the Ithaca, New York area, where I have resumed my work. My core clinical practices remain as they were:
- Psychotherapy and coaching for individual adults and children, couples, families and groups.
- Psychological Assessment supporting clinical and/or legal processes.
- Clinical supervision, for both new and experienced therapists.
Additional offerings include:
- Consultation to General Practitioners, Primary Care Physicians, EAPs and other health professionals regarding assessment and treatment.
- Supporting organizations and work teams in resolving interpersonal difficulties affecting their functioning.
- Consultation to legal professionals regarding family issues (I have received training in collaborative divorce).
- Critical Incident Stress Debriefings following catastrophic events.
So what do we, as Client and Therapist, actually do?
- Share stories and backgrounds, consider why we're meeting, build trust and understanding.
- Look at what's been hardest for you, how you've coped, and where you'd really like to go.
- Decide what steps to take, what you'd like to begin and release, and when.
- Consider feelings you experience, sometimes for the first time, with full freedom to express whatever arises.
- There is no 'homework', but I may suggest tracking triggers and reactions, dreams, rummaging and journaling, as time and mind permit.
- Repeat as needed... until you're fully on your way.
- I focus particularly on later remnants of early trauma, and am indebted to others, e.g., those who have created a rich literature and positive records of treating Complex PTSD.
Limitations
When practicing as an Internet-based provider, I cannot offer timely responses to crisis situations (though whenever advisable, I establish connections with other healthcare providers working with you). Therefore, in cases where suicide or violence are actively contemplated, where other imminent dangers exist, e.g. abusive relationships, or where there is urgent need for medication and local care, a more immediate provider should be retained. In crisis situations, emergency services should be sought, e.g., 111 (New Zealand) or 911 (USA). I can provide support if needed as such services are located and respond.
