About Dr. Abigail Powell, PhD, LP, CMNCS

I didn't choose to specialize in aviation mental health by accident. I grew up in an aviation family and I am married to a Navy SEAL turned pilot. I know what a duty day feels like on the family side. I know the stress of a looming check ride, the disruption of a base change, and the constant, underlying pressure to protect the medical certificate at all costs.

When I entered clinical practice, I saw a massive gap: pilots were avoiding therapy because traditional therapists didn't understand the FAA. A pilot would mention feeling burned out, and a well-meaning clinician would immediately diagnose them with Major Depressive Disorder — a diagnosis that could ground them for months or years.

I built this practice to solve that problem. I speak pilot, not just clinical. I understand the operational reality of your job, and I know how to provide the care you need without jeopardizing the career you've worked so hard to build.

My approach is fundamentally different from traditional therapy because it is built around the nervous system demands of aviation. Flying requires intense vigilance, rapid decision-making, and emotional compartmentalization. That is a feature, not a bug. But when you can't turn that vigilance off, it becomes anxiety and burnout.

We don't focus on pathologizing your stress. We focus on nervous system regulation. We work on strategies to down-regulate after a tough rotation, manage performance anxiety before a check ride, and process the cumulative stress of the job. It is highly practical, deeply respectful of your competence, and entirely aviation-native.

Crucially, my approach is FAA-compatible. Every note I take and every treatment plan I create is designed with the understanding that the FAA might one day request those records. I document your resilience, your proactive steps, and your safety to fly.

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Schedule a free, confidential 15-minute consultation to discuss your needs and see if we're a good fit.