Meet Gail Dawson

PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER,
FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER

 
 
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I have always been interested in natural foods, a slower way of living, and more natural ways of supporting healing. 

It came as a big shock to me to have my health come crashing down.  I had my first “crash” about a year after arriving in Colorado. I wasn’t sleeping well, very irritable, and had to take a nap in the afternoon because my energy was so low. This was so unlike me, I thought because of my family history, that it might be my thyroid, but the doctor said my levels were “within normal limits”, so there was nothing to be done, except maybe an anti-depressant. I soon took my care into my own hands, and found out I had Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and very low levels of essential thyroid hormones. I began an autoimmune diet, took some supplements, and bio-identical medications, and slowly started to feel better….but not quite right.

I attributed my ongoing fatigue, poor sleep, and problems with finding the right word to getting older….until I dug a little deeper. I recalled that the first house I lived in since arriving, had a mold in it. And sure enough, when I tested myself for mycotoxins I was three to five times over the limit on three of them. This began another round of supplements and medications that have helped greatly.

Because of my own health issues, I know that the initial symptoms of my patients are often not easily remedied with just a pill. I look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the client’s history, genetics, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to any illness, and particularly mental illness.

 

What It’s Like to Work With Me

 
 

My CREDENTIALS


 

Medical Training

  • 2005 University of Northern British Columbia, BSc Nursing

  • 2010 University of Wyoming, MSc Nursing

  • 2017 University of Northern Colorado, Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner

 
 

Professional Registrations/Credentials

  • British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives - RN

  • Colorado Board of Nursing – RN, PMHNP, NP-C

  • Washington State Board of Nursing, RN, PMHNP, NP-C

  • Wyoming Board of Nursing - PMHNP, NP-C

  • Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – ANCC

  • Family Nurse Practitioner – AANP

 

Functional Medicine Certifications

  • 2011 Kalish Institute of Functional Medicine

  • 2012 Advanced Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy – Dr. Rouzier, MD/World Link Medical

  • 2017 Completed all six of the Institute of Functional Medicine certification courses

  • 2017 Millennium Traumatic Brain Injury Hormone Training – Dr. Gordon, MD

  • 2018 Reversing Alzheimer’s Protocol – Dr. Bredesen, MD

  • 2018 Psychiatry Redefined Fellowship in Integrative Psychiatry – Dr. Greenblatt, MD

  • 2020 Treating Mold Illness – Dr. Jill Crista, ND

 

Other Trainings

  • 2002 New Seminary Celebrant Training

  • 2011 American Acupuncture Detoxification Association – NADA Protocol

 

Professional Organizational Memberships

  • Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, member of the Medical Advisory Board

  • International Society of Environmentally Acquired Illness

  • Co-Chair Benzodiazepine Action Workgroup

 

Expert Witness

  • 2021 Provided opinions on the use of ketamine by APRNs for the Colorado State Board of Nursing and the Department of the Attorney General of Colorado

 
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The best way that I can explain the difference in my drinking is that it has saved my life. I went from drinking almost every day, usually 6 days a week, to ONLY drinking once a week now. I have not blacked out for over 3 months and I have not obsessed. The obsessive thoughts in my head are gone.
— PAST CLIENT
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

➤ What Conditions Do You Treat?

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Bio-identical hormone replacement
  • Bipolar
  • Depression
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  • Mild Cognitive Impairment
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)
  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Alcohol Use Disorder
  • Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
  • Traumatic Brain Injury

➤ What states are you licensed in?

I am currently accepting clients in Wyoming, Washington State and Colorado.

➤ Do you prescribe benzodiazepines?

Except for rare exceptions (air travel), I do not prescribe benzodiazepines – but will help you get off them.

➤ What is Folate Receptor Antibody Testing?

Folate enters the brain through receptors, antibodies attack these receptors so that folate can’t get into the brain. The incidence rates in studies are:

  • 41% - 75% in children with autism
  • 86% in people with schizophrenia
  • 15% in people as they age. If you test positive for these antibodies, you need to eliminate dairy from your diet, and take the medication folinic acid (Leucovorin). Most people in the studies improved.

➤ What supplements can help my body heal from overdrinking?

At the minimum I suggest, Omega 3 fatty acids, multi-mineral, high potency B vitamin, multi-vitamin, Vitamin D.

➤ Can I purchase supplements from you?

Yes, I have an online store where you can purchase practitioner grade products.

➤ Can’t I just buy the cheapest supplement from Walmart or Walgreens?

It DOES matter what brand you buy. A study that looked at 44 different products purchased from local pharmacies or health food stores showed that 60% didn’t have in the bottle what was on the label. And 40% had something in the bottle that wasn’t on the label, i.e. gluten, corn, soy, etc.

 
 
 
 
 

Have more questions?