About

Creating Meaning. Inspiring Hope. Transforming Lives.

Hello! My name is Dr. Gift McDougal. I am a Clinical Psychologist licensed in the state of Georgia. I was born in Nigeria and was raised in Georgia. I have always had a passion for working with children of all ages. I view the child as part of a system (family, school, community) and when we address the system as a whole then greater healing and change can happen. Providing a child and adolescent a safe space to explore their issues is very important to me. I also have a passion for working with teen girls and women during the pregnancy and postpartum period. I value family, community, spirituality, and interacting with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures. I love spending time with my husband, our 4 children, and our family dog. Writing, watching musicals, and engaging in DIY projects are other activities I enjoy.

I see therapy as a unique and incredibly powerful gift that when used can change children, adolescents, and women in a way that brings them more joy, self-acceptance, hope, and peace within themselves and within their relationships.

 

EDUCATION AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE:

I am an alumna of the University of Georgia where I earned my bachelor’s degree in both Psychology and Criminal Justice. Afterward, I traveled and lived in Guatemala working in a school setting. It was there that I strengthened my Spanish speaking skills. Following my travel abroad, I moved to Colorado and attended the University of Denver where I received my Masters in Forensic Psychology as well as my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. While living in Colorado, I worked in a community mental health center’s outpatient clinic and provided therapy services in elementary and middle schools as well as an integrated managed care facility. I was also the program director of a child-focused refugee and immigrant program. I am certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and I am a member of the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists (NBCCH). I am also a member of the American Psychological Association and the Georgia Psychological Association.