First responders spend their careers protecting and serving our communities, all too often accepting sacrificing and suffering as part of the job. But they don’t have to.
Exhale & Release is the first responder to your first responders.
At only $3 per covered person per year,
you can provide them the support they need to thrive—because healthier first responders mean safer communities.
The stats are staggering.
- 100% of first responders will experience a traumatic incident in their career.
- 6x more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
- PTSD is 10X higher than the general population.
- Twice the rate of anxiety compared tothe general population.
- Depression 5X greater than the general population.
- 69% of EMS providers report not having enough recovery time between traumatic incidents.
- 30% of 911 telecommunicators report PTSD.
- Higher rates of heart attacks (18X) than the general population.
Exhale & Release changes that.
Give your agencies the tools to process trauma, reset their nervous systems, and reclaim their lives.
Hi, I'm Amanda.
I created Exhale & Release because our first responders deserve better.
With over 500 trauma clients served and thousands of hours in sessions, I bring both expertise and deep understanding to the table.
Here’s what qualifies me to help your team:
Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Trained in Hypnosis and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)
Extensive training in the nervous system, subconscious, trauma, depression and anxiety.
Years of experience working directly with first responders and veterans
The result? A program designed to meet their unique needs and deliver lasting relief.
Why they trust me:
Because I’ve walked alongside people like them for years.
I deeply understand their experiences, and I get results quickly.
I reprocess trauma at the unconscious level, leaving them
feeling lighter, clearer, and more in control after every interaction.
Current options are failing them
Meditation Apps
Memories of traumatic calls pop up the moment they close their eyes and clear their mind, making tradition meditation unworkable.
Why Exhale & Release Works:
It reprograms the way the mind processes trauma, creating subconscious shifts without discomfort.
Critical Incident Debriefings
If organized, these one time events require participants to relive the event publicly, which often re-traumatizes them instead of giving the lasting relief.
Why Exhale & Release Works:
Ongoing, on-demand support via podcast episodes and live coaching allows them to process at their own pace, achieving clarity without retraumatization.
EAP Programs
Short-term, impersonal, and underutilized, traditional EAPs fail to meet first responders' needs.
Why Exhale & Release Works:
Unlimited access to expert-led coaching calls and tailored podcast episodes ensures deep, effective support whenever it’s needed.
There's no risk of getting a therapist who screams about helicopters on the phone (yes, that actually happened).
Peer Support
While helpful, it adds emotional labor to already-stressed colleagues and lacks tools for true trauma healing.
Why Exhale & Release Works:
No need to talk or navigate office politics— just press play for immediate relief.
Talk Therapy
Most therapists lack the expertise to address first responders' unique challenges and trauma.
Why Exhale & Release Works:
Led by a licensed trauma therapist, the program blends proven techniques to achieve lasting healing quickly and effectively.
We share the same mission: To serve those who serve.
Here's their current normal:
How your first responders are currently (not) handling the trauma they experience
The Event:
a 7-year-old girl is trapped in a car after an accident, her mother screaming for help while trying to comfort her daughter. A 911 telecommunicator takes the call, working to calm the mother, gather critical details, and dispatch responders while trying to suppress thoughts of their own daughter at home.
The (lack of) Processing:
As soon as they hang up, they’re thrown into the next emergency call with no time to decompress. That night, nightmares replay the sound of the mother’s screams, over and over.
What They Experience:
En route, responders brace for the unknown. They fight to save the girl— while suppressing the emotions clawing at the edges of their minds. Despite all their efforts, the girl doesn’t make it. Exhausted, they shove their grief aside to keep moving.
Compartmentalizing (aka shutdown):
The cycle repeats: brace, perform, compartmentalize, and push on. They feel like they're constantly trying to hold a beach ball underwater.
The Cost:
At home they struggle to be present, distracted by the ghost of the little girl they couldn’t save. She joins the others they’ve accumulated over their career. There is no true "off."
The Damage:
This constant cycle stacks trauma like a ticking time bomb. Over time, their system begins to shut down to avoid exploding. Numbness takes over—sometimes through sheer emotional shutdown, other times through substances to dull the pain. The trauma remains stored, unresolved.
The Result:
That triggered feeling you’re experiencing just reading this? That’s how they live, every moment of every day. And given enough time, they shut down completely just to stop feeling anything.
It doesn't have to be this way.
Reporting for duty:
Exhale & Release
No matter what comes, they stay light, grounded and free.
The event:
Picture the same accident: a 7-year-old girl trapped in a car, her mother screaming for help. The 911 telecommunicator takes the call, calm and focused, and dispatches emergency services. Thoughts of their own child cross their mind, but instead of derailing focus, they ground themselves, and stay present. Help is dispatched swiftly and accurately, they feel confident they’ve done all they can.
The Processing:
They move seamlessly to the next call. Their mind remains clear, and they sleep soundly that night, no nightmares, no replaying the call.
What They Experience:
On scene, they move swiftly to save the girl without being overwhelmed by emotions. She doesn’t make it—and they're sad, but okay. They’ve learned not to fight their emotions, but remain open to them, allowing them to pass.
Recovery:
Their nervous system resets quickly and naturally, without shutdown or overwhelm. During the call, they repeated key phrases from Exhale & Release that helped them stay focused. If they need some support, they pull up the podcast feed and press play on the "child fatality" episode which regulates them in minutes.
Present At Home:
When their shift ends, they go home and embrace their kids. They're present and at peace. The little girl crosses their mind, but doesn't linger. They rest and recharge.
Long-Term Resilience:
With every use, their resilience grows. They feel lighter, clearer, and refocused—ready to thrive in their roles for years to come.
The Result: They're happier, healthier and free.
This can be their reality.
" Amanda made it easy to open up, let my guard down, and just be myself. She is unapologetically herself. It really creates a safe and inviting space to come in and feel seen and heard."
"I was living with trauma from that call for almost two years. Amanda cleared it completely in 30 minutes. I feel completely free from it."
"I loved the energy that was brought to the room, transparency and connection."
"Absolutely wonderful. Didn’t attempt to push me toward medication like my previous EAP counselor. Amanda was the voice I needed to find mine and helped me through one of my darkest times."
"She spoke to us like humans instead of lecturing us like children. She treated us as equals instead of speaking down on us. I took a lot from the in-service."
The cost of inaction:
Ignoring trauma’s impact on first responders leads to:
Skyrocketing turnover and costly attrition.
Valuable veterans burned out and leaving the field.
Increased absenteeism and overtime costs.
Higher insurance payouts from stress-related illnesses.
Chronic understaffing, leaving communities less safe.
The Price?
It costs up to 4x an employee’s salary to replace and train a new hire. Burnout-driven attrition drains agency budgets, morale, and productivity.
The game changing solution:
Exhale & Release:
Transform your agency with a program that delivers measurable results:
Higher Retention: Employees stay longer, reducing costly turnover.
Lower Burnout: Happier, healthier teams perform better under pressure.
Improved Productivity: Focused, resourced employees bring their best to work.
Reduced Costs: Fewer absences, lower insurance payouts, and minimized overtime expenses.
Safer Communities: Well-supported first responders create stronger, more secure environments.
Exhale & Release gives your first responders the tools to thrive—and your agency the confidence to lead.
What's Included?
🐋On demand help
20+ tactical episodes (under 30 minutes) designed to clear triggers, regulate the nervous system, and provide instant relief—like having a therapist in their pocket.
🐋Real conversations
Amanda works directly with agency leadership to build trust, understand team needs, and tailor ongoing support.
🐋Personalized coaching & referrals
Unlimited access to live calls with Amanda to clear trauma and address challenges as they arise.
Referrals are provided for additional resources, ensuring no need goes unmet.
🐋An expanding library of resources
New episodes, masterclasses, and tools are regularly added to address evolving needs, with 96% of participants reporting actionable benefits.
Because the job evolves, and so should their support.
🐋Tailored monthly trainings
Developed from participant feedback, these trainings empower teams with skills to stay resilient and effective on the job.
🐋Quarterly in person trainings
At larger agencies, Amanda conducts live sessions to build rapport and connection—meeting your team where they are, literally.
"She allowed me the freedom to come exactly as I was, without judgement, and work through my struggles at my own pace. I no longer feel responsible for carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders."
"The perspective Amanda gave me that some the things I'm juggling are plastic balls and some are glass helped me figure out what to prioritize."
"She was very knowledgeable and understanding. Even though they aren't social workers you could really tell they understood our line of work when most people don't. I learned about managing things and that my health is more important than work."
"I feel very comfortable talking to her. Where others I have not and I feel she helps but doesn’t judge. And also she can handle me talking about the hard stuff."
You’ve seen what Exhale & Release offers—now here’s why it works so well.
It rewires the way the mind processes traumatic events, clearing the emotional weight they carry.
In simple terms: It helps first responders reprocess trauma so past events no longer affect their present or future.
The result?
The more they use the program, the faster they recover, the better they feel and the more they engage with other resources available.
The Results Speak for Themselves
First responders trust Exhale & Release because it works. Here’s what participants have shared:
95% reported feeling seen and validated during interactions.
90% reported that trainings felt like a safe space to share their experiences.
92% reported feeling comfortable reaching out of they're in need of support.
In just six months of implementing the program in Randolph County, 5x the number of people utilized other EAP services.
"I have never been to any kind of therapy before or been a person that talks about stuff, but after my experience with Amanda it has given me a whole new perspective."
"She is very easy to get along with and acts like one of us."
FAQ
How is success measured for organizations?
Success is tracked through:
Employee engagement rates (e.g., podcast listens and call attendance).
Reduction in absences and healthcare costs.
Increased use of other wellness resources (e.g., EAPs, fitness programs).
Agencies have seen a 5x increase in EAP utilization after introducing Exhale & Release.
You’ll receive a monthly report detailing engagement metrics while maintaining employee confidentiality, helping you tailor support to their needs.
How is Exhale & Release implemented?
The program is fully digital and ready to launch within 48 hours of enrollment.
Teams can be fully onboarded in 1-2 weeks with:
A video walkthrough and step-by-step guide for employees.
Plug-and-play email templates for agency leaders.
Personalized onboarding calls with Amanda to answer questions and build confidence.
Incentives to sign into the podcast feed.
Amanda also works directly with department heads to provide ongoing support.
How is employee data handled, and what measures ensure confidentiality?
Coaching call recordings are confidential and stored securely.
Usage data is tracked only in aggregate, providing anonymized engagement statistics to agencies.
Employees access the program privately via their devices, ensuring full confidentiality.
How do you plan to ensure engagement and overcome initial resistance?
Exhale & Release is designed to build trust and drive participation through:
Gamification: Rewards tied to podcast episodes and activities keep employees motivated.
Powerful Testimonials: Real stories of success inspire confidence in the program.
In-Person Trainings: Live sessions with Amanda build rapport and boost buy-in from leadership.
Department Relationships: Amanda collaborates with leaders to champion the program, ensuring team-wide adoption.
What kind of episodes are included?
Clearing fear and unworthiness
Managing dissociation and numbness
Addressing exhaustion and sleep disturbances
Regulating emotions
Reducing anxiety, worry and overwhelm
Motivation and energy management
Confronting difficult conversations
Overcoming nightmares and intrusive thoughts
Mindset, positivity and acceptance
Reduce emotional overwhelm
Child fatality
Creating connection with others
Reducing hypervigilance
Reducing triggered response to loud noises
Each episode is actionable, under 30 minutes, and designed for immediate relief.
How is success measured for individuals?
Participants will self-report improvements via survey.
We will measure improvements in sleep, stress management, anxiety, overall well-being, etc.
We will measure use of the podcast feed and attendance on calls.
In the pilot program:
95% of participants felt validated and seen, and
92% reported feeling comfortable reaching out for help.
Can the program be tailored to specific agency needs or organizational cultures?
Absolutely. Monthly trainings are co-designed based on participant feedback, addressing specific challenges like high-stress calls or leadership burnout.
Agencies can also request episodes for unique incidents, such as natural disasters or high-profile cases.
Why would I add Exhale & Release?
Exhale & Release offers a scalable, cost-effective solution tailored specifically to the unique needs of first responders, filling a critical gap in traditional EAP offerings. By addressing trauma and stress proactively, it increases engagement with existing EAP services and drives measurable results—such as a 5x increase in EAP utilization in Randolph County, NC. Unlike traditional therapy or meditation apps, Exhale & Release provides on-demand, trauma-focused support through tactical podcast episodes and live coaching calls, empowering employees to regulate their nervous systems and process trauma privately and effectively.
Licensing this program enhances your wellness portfolio, positioning your EAP as an innovative, first-responder-focused resource that improves employee resilience, reduces burnout, and builds long-term client loyalty.