MEET DR. GAHAGEN
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Dr.  Heather Davis Gahagen
(she/her/hers)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Heather Davis Gahagen is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in trauma therapy, sleep treatment, and stress recovery for professionals in high-demand careers. She works with people who appear capable and composed on the outside while internally struggling with chronic stress, burnout, insomnia, nightmares, anxiety, perfectionism, or work-life imbalance.  Many spend years pushing through, only to realize they can't sustain it anymore—and they're ready for something to change.

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What Makes Dr. Gahagen's Approach Different

Dr. Gahagen partners with her clients to explore how trauma exposure, workplace stress, and past experiences have shaped their current patterns. Her approach is collaborative and practical, focusing on small, sustainable changes that create lasting transformation. She supports people in reducing the impact of past events so they can feel grounded, rested, and in control again.

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"We can identify small changes you can make that will have ripple effects on your life each day, building to

greater change over time."

She provides her clients with tools to regain a sense of empowerment and well-being, ready to take on the next chapter of their lives and careers.

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Her Specialties Include:

• Trauma and PTSD (especially work-related and occupational trauma)

• Chronic stress and burnout in high-demand professions

• Sleep disorders and insomnia

• Nightmares and trauma-related sleep disturbances

• Anxiety and perfectionism

• Work-life balance and boundary setting

• Stress management for first responders and healthcare workers

• Military Veterans and service members

• Career transitions and retirement adjustment

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Evidence-Based Training

Dr. Gahagen is trained in evidence-based treatments including:

• CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy)

• STAIR (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation)

• CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)

• IRT+NT (Image Rehearsal Therapy + Narrative Therapy) for nightmares

• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

• Advanced Safety Planning Intervention (ASPI)

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Her Role at D.I.V.E.

Dr. Gahagen is one of the core D.I.V.E. therapists and serves on the Disability Evaluation Team. She is a proud partner of The Headstrong Project, which offers free PTSD treatment for Veterans.

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She enjoys working with individuals of diverse racial, socioeconomic, and sexual orientations and gender identities. She has specialty experience working with military Veterans, first responders (firefighters, police, EMT), students (college, graduate school, medical school), federal employees, and retirees. Due to her location, a great deal of her recent work has been with rural populations and individuals who have

transplanted to rural areas from larger cities.

Beyond the Office

Dr. Gahagen takes good care of herself so she can take good care of her clients. She loves doing crafts such as knitting, painting, and cross-stitch. She enjoys reconnecting with a sense of awe and wonder by traveling, visiting theme parks, and trying new foods.