2809 S. 160th Street, Suite 301
Omaha, NE 68135
Gretchen Bjerke, M.S., LPCC, LIMHP
Gretchen a Licensed Mental Health Counselor dedicated to support the emotional well-being and operational resilience of those who serve in high-risk, high-stress professions. Her work is grounded in deep respect for the first responder and military communities—and shaped by both clinical expertise and lived experience.
Gretchen earned my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (2003), and later completed a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix (2014). Since 2012, she has provided counseling, training, and critical incident response for law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, 9-1-1/dispatchers, and military personnel across a range of settings.
In addition to therapy work, she served as a crisis negotiations team member for multiple law enforcement agencies in New Mexico, providing on-scene consultation during SWAT activations and support in high-risk incidents such as officer-involved shootings.
Gretchen provides training and consultation to departments on topics such as mental health awareness, tactical communication, de-escalation techniques, and peer support team development—always tailored to the specific needs and culture of each agency.
This work is deeply personal to her. As the spouse of a military veteran and with close family serving in law enforcement and fire service, she has a firsthand appreciation for the sacrifices, emotional challenges, and dedication these professions require. She brings this perspective into her practice, approaching every client and agency with cultural competence, genuine collaboration, and unwavering respect.
Ally Garthright, MA, LPC, LMHP, LIMHP
Ally is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) in Nebraska, and specializes in work with first responders.
As the daughter of two law enforcement professionals from Sioux City, Iowa, Ally brings a deeply personal understanding of the unique demands faced by first responders and their families. Recognizing the impact of this work extends beyond the individual, she welcomes not only first responders, but their spouses and adolescent children, providing support for the entire family system.
After spending several years in Colorado, she returned home to the Midwest, bringing with her specialized training and firsthand experience serving those on the front lines. Ally earned her master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from the University of Denver and worked with justice-involved individuals, responded alongside law enforcement to mental health crises, and provided counseling, consultation, and education for first responders and their families.
Today, Ally offers both in-person counseling and flexible telehealth services for clients throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and Colorado. Her therapeutic approach is collaborative, direct, evidence-based, and grounded in trust, authenticity, and complete confidentiality.
Ally understands the culture of frontline work and creates a space where authenticity, honest conversations, and even the dark humor that often comes with the profession are welcomed.
