Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Heather Hahn and Dr. Melissa Gaa.
Co-founders, Drs. Hahn and Gaa, had both gained extensive experience in the clinical field prior to meeting as professors. During their tenure teaching graduate-leveled counseling courses at a University, they further solidified their passion for direct client services and their desire to open a private practice in the Dallas area. The more they shared about their dream for a practice, they realized their vision of treating clients holistically aligned. Together, they decided to form Aspen Counseling Services in order to help others live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. The name of the practice was derived from their holistic and existential views of each person, with the understanding that each person must be healed via mind and body concurrently. Aspen trees signify being deeply rooted and connected to one’s whole self and the outside world; therefore, having the name aspen for the company seemed to be appropriately fitting. Drs. Hahn and Gaa officially opened the private practice in June 2017.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
While the journey has been monumental and fulfilling, the time and energy expended building a practice has be tedious at times. However, both Drs. Hahn and Gaa were able to juggle and balance family and work life while launching a new business.
Please tell us about Aspen Counseling Services.
Aspen Counseling Services is a private practice consisting of Dr. Heather Hahn and Dr. Melissa Gaa. Together, we believe in the mind/body connection and the importance of getting out of the headspace. Many people in the community provide talk therapy; however, at Aspen Counseling Services we implement techniques and strategies to address each person holistically. Both Drs. Hahn and Gaa are certified in Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy which is an integrative practice that allows them to address manifestations in the body while also processing presenting concerns.
Both Drs. Hahn and Gaa are PhD-level licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and provide the following services: individual, couple, family, and group counseling to clients of all ages. Both Drs. Hahn and Gaa have extensive clinical experience and specialize in treating, but are not limited to: anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, self-harming behaviors, chronic stress, major life transitions, grief and loss, adjudicated adolescents, families, and couples. Furthermore, in addition to being certified as Trauma Informed Yoga Therapists, we are also certified Overcoming Anxiety Clinic facilitators and offer age appropriate groups that allow one to heal their anxiety through natural techniques.
Alongside the above-mentioned specialties, Dr. Melissa Gaa has gained invaluable experience working with mothers and children who have experienced domestic violence, families struggling with parenting challenges and difficult family dynamics, as well as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Dr. Heather Hahn has significant experience working as a trauma informed counselor helping individuals heal from complex trauma such as emotional, psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as working with clients who struggle with emotion regulation, attachment difficulties, or have a dual-diagnosis.
The mission of Aspen Counseling Services is to assist each individual who comes in for counseling to live an authentically genuine life that is filled with purpose and a sense of meaning. Together, we are most proud of our ability to serve clients where they currently are without restrictions, as well as our respect of one another and the vision for the practice as a whole.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
While this was a quite a feat, there is nothing we would do differently if we had to start over.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8100 Lomo Alto, Suite 238
Dallas, Texas 75225 - Website: www.aspencs.com
- Phone: Dr. Heather Hahn: 214-240-6855; Dr. Melissa Gaa: 214-983-6726
- Email: Dr. Heather Hahn: drhahn@aspencs.com; Dr. Melissa Gaa: drgaa@aspencs.com
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/AspenCounSvc
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/AspenCounSvc
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