HEROES
FIRST RESPONDER MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS
Confidential, Comprehensive Assessments for Law Enforcement, Fire, & EMS
✓ PTSD & Occupational Trauma Evaluations
✓ Workers' Compensation Claims
✓ Disability Retirement Assessments
✓ Line-of-Duty PTSD (Ashley Wilson Act) - GA
Trauma Specialists | Psychiatric Disability Examiners | 7-10 Day Turnaround
Serving GA + Nationwide via Telehealth
Yes - I want a free confidential consultation!:
THE ASHLEY WILSON ACT : GEORGIA'S NEW PTSD BENEFITS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
DID YOU KNOW?
The Ashley Wilson Act (HB451) requires all public entities in Georgia to offer a supplemental benefit program for eligible first responders diagnosed with PTSD resulting from exposure to line-of-duty traumatic events that occurred on or after July 1, 2024.
If you experienced traumatic events in the line of duty after July 1, 2024, you may be eligible for these benefits.
We provide comprehensive PTSD evaluations to support your claim under this Act.
WHO WE SERVE
We provide comprehensive mental health evaluations for:
• Law Enforcement Officers
• Firefighters
• Emergency Medical Services (EMT/Paramedics)
• 911 Dispatchers
• Correctional Officers
• Other Emergency Response Personnel (see list)
Available throughout Georgia and via secure telehealth in 40+ states
OUR EVALUATION SERVICES
LINE-OF-DUTY PTSD EVALUATIONS (ASHLEY WILSON ACT)
Specialized evaluations for first responders seeking benefits under Georgia's Ashley Wilson Act.
PTSD & TRAUMA EVALUATIONS
Comprehensive assessments for PTSD resulting from:
• Critical incidents (officer-involved shootings, line-of-duty deaths)
• Cumulative occupational trauma
• Repeated exposure to traumatic events
• Assault or injury in the line of duty
WORKERS' COMPENSATION MENTAL HEALTH CLAIMS
Expert psychological evaluations supporting workers' compensation claims for:
• PTSD and trauma-related disorders
• Anxiety and depression related to job stress
• Occupational stress injuries
• Mental health impacts of physical injuries
DISABILITY RETIREMENT EVALUATIONS
Thorough assessments for:
• Georgia Public Safety Disability Retirement
• Mental health disability determinations
• Functional capacity evaluations
• Long-term disability claims
WHY FIRST RESPONDERS CHOOSE D.I.V.E.
We understand:
• The stigma around "needing help" in law enforcement and fire cultures
• Career concerns - fear that admitting symptoms will end your career
• The pressure to appear strong and unaffected by what you see
• The challenge of transitioning between high-stress calls and normal life
• The isolation of not being able to talk about what you experience
• The guilt around reactions you can't control
• The hypervigilance that keeps you safe on the job but exhausts you at home
We provide a confidential, judgment-free environment where you can be honest about your struggles without fear of professional consequences.
COMPREHENSIVE, DEFENSIBLE REPORTS
Our evaluations include:
• Thorough clinical interviews (typically 90 minutes+)
• Review of relevant records (incident reports, medical history, personnel files)
• Validated psychological assessment
• Detailed functional capacity assessment
• Clear documentation for workers' compensation or disability claims
• Professional reports that hold up under scrutiny
RESPONSIVE TURNAROUND
7-10 business days from evaluation to complete written report.
STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY
We maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and understand the sensitive nature of these evaluations for first responder careers.
THE EVALUATION PROCESS
STEP 1: INITIAL CONSULTATION (COMPLIMENTARY)
We discuss your situation, evaluation needs, and timeline. Confidential and no obligation. We'll discuss which clinician will be assigned to your evaluation.
STEP 2: RECORD REVIEW
Your psychologist reviews:
• Incident reports or critical incident documentation
• Prior medical and mental health records
• Personnel files (if applicable)
• Workers' compensation documentation (if applicable)
STEP 3: COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL INTERVIEW
Thorough interview (typically 90+ minutes) covering:
• Current symptoms and functioning
• Work history and critical incidents
• Impact on daily life and job performance
• Personal and family history
• Coping strategies and support systems
STEP 4: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Evidence-based assessments may include:
• PTSD screening and diagnostic measures
• Anxiety and depression inventories
• Functional impairment scales
• Occupational stress assessments
STEP 5: WRITTEN REPORT
Comprehensive report including:
• Diagnostic findings
• Functional capacity assessment
• Connection to occupational exposure (nexus opinion)
• Recommendations for treatment or accommodations
• Supporting documentation for your claim
Evaluations are quality-reviewed in consultation with a team of Licensed Psychologists to ensure the highest standards.
WHAT WE EVALUATE
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
Related to specific critical incidents or cumulative trauma exposure
DEPRESSION & ANXIETY DISORDERS
Connected to occupational stress, critical incidents, or workplace trauma
ADJUSTMENT DISORDERS
Difficulty coping with work-related stressors or traumatic events
OCCUPATIONAL STRESS & BURNOUT
Chronic stress from the demands of first responder work
SECONDARY TRAUMATIC STRESS
Impact of repeated exposure to others' trauma
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
When related to self-medication for work-related trauma or stress
FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT ASSESSMENT
How mental health conditions impact job performance and daily functioning
COMMON SCENARIOS WE HELP WITH
✓ Officer-involved shooting aftermath
✓ Line-of-duty death of a colleague
✓ Serious injury in the line of duty
✓ Repeated exposure to child abuse/death cases
✓ Mass casualty incidents
✓ Assault or threat by suspects/inmates
✓ Cumulative stress from years of critical incidents
✓ Dispatcher trauma from handling emergency calls
✓ Firefighter trauma from fire/rescue operations
✓ EMS trauma from repeated traumatic medical calls
FOR DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES
WE WORK WITH:
• Police departments seeking independent evaluations
• Fire departments coordinating evaluations
• EMS agencies managing injured personnel
• Workers' compensation administrators
• Union representatives supporting members
• Risk management professionals
• Georgia public entities implementing Ashley Wilson Act benefits
WHAT WE PROVIDE:
• Objective, professional evaluations by Licensed Psychologists
• Timely reports for claim processing
• Clear recommendations for accommodation
• Available for consultation on complex cases
• Testimony support if needed
• Quality oversight
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: WHICH PSYCHOLOGIST WILL CONDUCT MY EVALUATION?
A: We assign evaluations based on case complexity and clinician expertise. All our psychologists are licensed and trained in trauma assessment. We discuss assignments during your free consultation.
Q: AM I ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE ASHLEY WILSON ACT?
A: The Act covers first responders employed by Georgia public entities who have PTSD from line-of-duty traumatic events on or after July 1, 2024. We can discuss your situation during your free consultation.
Q: WILL MY DEPARTMENT KNOW I'M SEEKING AN EVALUATION?
A: Our services are confidential. However, if pursuing workers' comp, disability retirement, or Ashley Wilson Act benefits, your department will need to know as part of that process. We can discuss confidentiality during your consultation.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES AN EVALUATION COST?
A: First responder evaluations typically range in cost depending on complexity, record review, and assigned clinician. Diagnostic Intake Assessments without record review (e.g., Diagnostic Intake Assessment as the first step in PTSD treatment) begin at $265+. Diagnostic reports requiring record review and/or nexus statement begin at $699+. We discuss costs transparently during your consultation.
Q: IS THIS COVERED BY WORKERS' COMPENSATION OR THE ASHLEY WILSON ACT?
A: In some cases, yes. We can discuss this during your consultation.
Q: HOW LONG DOES THE EVALUATION TAKE?
A: The face-to-face clinical interview typically takes 90+ minutes. This does not include record review. You'll receive your complete written report within 7-10 business days.
Q: CAN I DO THIS EVALUATION VIRTUALLY?
A: Yes, we offer secure telehealth evaluations throughout Georgia and in 40+ other states.
Q: WHAT IF I'M CURRENTLY WORKING? CAN THIS AFFECT MY CAREER?
A: We understand this concern. During your consultation, we'll discuss your specific situation. Our goal is an accurate assessment that documents your condition while supporting your best interests.
ABOUT DR. SPESHÁL WALKER GAUTIER, PH.D.
Founder & Clinical Director
Dr. Speshál Walker Gautier leads our team of Disability Examiners and trauma specialists. She comes to this role with over a decade of experience in psychiatric disability examinations and over 15 years of experience treating trauma and recovery concerns.
VA BACKGROUND:
As a former VA staff psychologist, Dr. Speshál Walker Gautier specialized in evaluating and treating Veterans and first responders with PTSD and other service-related psychological injuries. She led the Trauma, Stress & Anxiety Treatment Track at the Atlanta VA Hospital, where she supervised and trained other clinicians in assessment and treatment.
The parallels between military and first responder trauma are significant - both involve:
• Repeated exposure to life-threatening situations
• Moral injury from difficult decisions under pressure
• Hypervigilance that's hard to turn off
• Cultural barriers to seeking mental health support
• Career implications of acknowledging psychological injury
At DIVE, our combined experience with both populations informs our specialized approach to first responder evaluations.
[Read more about Dr. Gautier →] | [Meet Our Team →]
ALSO SERVING VETERANS
If you're a first responder who is also a military Veteran, our team can evaluate both occupational trauma from your first responder work AND service-connected conditions for VA disability claims.
[Click to Learn about Veteran Disability Evaluations →]
CONTACT US
Ready to schedule your confidential consultation?
AVAILABLE IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL
📞 PHONE: (404) 800-1998
📧 EMAIL: contact@DiveTherapyCo.com
📍 LOCATION: 1055 Howell Mill Rd, 8th Fl, Atlanta, GA 30318
🖥️ VIRTUAL: Secure telehealth available in 40+ states
*Evening & weekend appointments available*