Therapists in Montana

Welcome to a new adventure! You are taking the next positive step on your journey. That's how it works, you take one healthy step at a time… and eventually you find yourself closer and closer to where you want to be. You begin to connect more with your strengths and gifts and finally you start to feel more at peace. I look forward to starting this journey with you. It is not always an easy journey, but it is one worth taking and you never have to go it alone. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Montana. I received an Associate of Arts degree with distinction at Casper College in Wyoming, a Bachelor of Arts degree with honor at the University of Wyoming in 1995, and a Master of Science degree with honors in Community Counseling at Montana State University/Billings in 2004 . I love empowering my clients using various therapeutic and cognitive behavioral approaches. I have extensive experience working with individuals struggling with mental health, addiction, and co-occurring disorders. I have worked in the counseling field for over 20 years. I have worked in an inpatient treatment facility for almost 8 years as well as residential and outpatient centers. I enjoy working with adults, couples, families, youth, and have facilitated crisis mediations as well as individual, group and family therapy. I have addressed issues related to self- esteem, parenting, addiction, tobacco cessation, family dynamics, codependency, anger management, depression, anxiety, and trauma utilizing evidenced-based strategies including effective communication skills, self-compassion, meditation, mindfulness, relationship building skills, forgiveness, and conflict resolution. I have created several original materials to assist in the therapeutic process and to best fit my client’s needs. I utilize a solution focused approach building from a person’s strengths and utilizing a variety of value-based techniques to assist my clients in achieving a healthier and more fulfilled life. I am certified in Problem Solving Treatment and have taught various parenting classes including Love and Logic. I love the outdoors i.e. camping, hiking, taking my dog on an adventure and just soaking it all in. I have two wonderful adult sons and 4 beautiful grandchildren. I enjoy photography and I have started a few new hobbies with metal forging/blacksmithing, jewelry/beading, and painting. I am available for sessions most days (usually not Saturdays) and also upon request as my schedule allows. You can chose your preference for Video Sessions, Live (message) Chats, or Phone Sessions. If you need a session on the same day, let me know and I will put you on the cancellation list or I will try to fit you in a slot. Don't hesitate to ask and I will do my best to accommodate if at all possible at the available time. In the meantime, feel free to message anytime 24/7. Basically, it is what you are most comfortable with and at your own pace. I generally can respond at least once per morning and once per evening, sometimes more! You are also welcome to try the journal feature, and can keep the entries private for your own use or you can choose to share any entry with me that you feel comfortable sharing and you can change or delete what you want to share at anytime. Please remember that BetterHelp is not appropriate if you are in crisis or in immediate need of support. In crisis situations, please call 911 or local emergency services. You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to someone right away or for a Crisis Text Line text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis.

Hi, I'm ShirIey, I am a 61 year old Native American Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have over 20 years experience in the mental health field. I have worked in community mental health and I have worked in Tribal Behavioral Health. In both of these agencies I have worked as a crisis on-call therapist on rotation as well as seeing clients in office. Currently, I operate from a private practice which I established in 2013. Although I have spent a great deal of time living and working on the reservation, I have lived in many other cultures and I truly appreciate diversity. I have always been a very curious person so Social Work has been a great outlet for me to explore populations, cultures, and behaviors. I obtained a Bachelor Degree in 1998 in Human Services Rehabilitation from Salish Kootenai College on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Pablo, MT. I have a Masters in Social Work from Walla Walla University in Missoula, MT in 2004. Once I received my MSW, I practiced for three thousand supervised clinical hours before I was able to sit for my clinical license exam. I have worked with diverse cultures and populations. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) which has proven beneficial in the treatment of PTSD (Post- traumatic Stress) and other adverse/disturbing experiences. What disturbs or traumatizes us is unique to the individual. I prefer to spend time with each new client building a rapport and an alliance of trust and safety. I like to develop a plan of treatment that is tailored to the unique individual and with full collaboration. I am a firm believer in the healing process of telling one's own story and areas an individual would like to examine since they are best at knowing the parts of self they believe need to be examined to help them to progress and grow in their desired direction. I look forward to exploring with you!

I am a licensed mental health, marriage and family and addictions counselor in the state of Montana. I have been a counselor for 16 years and was a 9-1-1 Dispatcher for 16 years prior to that. I have worked with probation and parole, Veteran's and civilian drug treatment court participants facilitating groups and one on one counseling. I have a certification as a Domestic Violence Counselor and taught batterers intervention groups for 8 years. I also facilitate anger management and Moral Reconation Therapy groups. I worked in an outpatient mental health facility treating people with severe mental illnesses. I also worked for 3 years on a behavior unit working with patient's on the milieu. I am a Montana Professional Person which means I can make a determination of whether or not a person needs to be put into an inpatient mental health program at the State Hospital. I am certified in DBT and EMDR therapy. and skilled in CBT, ACT and learning CPT. My counseling style is understanding and supportive. I believe in treating every person with dignity and respect.

Hello! My name is Tonya Carpenter and I am licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in the state of Montana. I am currently at Aware, and was previously in private practice for six years. I provided counseling services in a hospital clinical setting for three years prior to private practice. I have also worked in the school setting as a behavior intervention specialist for grades 6-12, and worked with adults with disabilities. I received my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California with an emphasis in Military and Veterans Affairs. As a veteran myself, I understand the importance of supporting our service members. I have a fairly direct and up front approach as I would rather ask a question directly than assume things are a certain way. I am able to do this while maintaining a warm, nonjudgmental approach with clients. I believe that no one is "broken" and needs to be "fixed" as I hear so many clients say, but that every person is operating in their environment the best way they know how with the tools they have. I would like to be able to go through the journey with you of creating the best quality of life possible. I am able to help clients with co-occurring disorders, substance use, PTSD, depression, anxiety, Bipolar, child abuse and neglect, communication, anger management, and other diagnosis or life stressors, but have a primary focus in trauma and military affairs. I utilize a client centered, strengths based, solution-focused approach to meet the client where they are. I also utilize evidenced based practices such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. I am certified in EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing), MRT (moral reconation therapy), trauma-focused CBT, and trauma narratives. I will respond to messages within 24 hours Monday through Friday, and will do my best to accommodate you for scheduling live sessions but currently have limited availability in the evenings and some weekends. I look forward to working with you!

Over the last 20 years, I have worked in a variety of settings that focused on serving others, working to help them set goals, face issues, and move on to be the best of themselves. I graduated with my master's degree in Applied Psychology: Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Washington University. I have worked in public mental health on both East and West Coasts, currently I am providing direct care and tele-med services in Eastern Montana. I utilize many evidenced based practices, focusing mainly on strength based and reality models. I believe that therapy requires a team approach and offer alternative perspectives and support and coping with issues that seem overwhelming or too difficult to face alone. I see each person as an expert on themselves and more than just a label. I have worked with Individuals, Couples, and teens, covering mood issues, grief and loss, transitioning, relationships, to name a few. With me, what you see is what you get. I believe that truly useful therapy begins with the relationship of its team and that is built with genuine communication and trust. Change doesn't happen without discomfort, one does not need to face that alone.

I am licensed in the state of Montana to do mental health counseling and therapy, as well as a Certified Coach. I’ve been self-employed for over 30 years and have a wide range of experience. I particularly work with persons who experience anxiety, stress and depression - often as a result of family problems and frequently work issues! I’ve also worked with all branches of the military working with troops and family both in the USA and abroad. My style of counseling tends to be more direct than passive. I believe in warmth, compassion and listening along with guidance and direction offered. I do not give advise; I am your mirror and help you see what you most want and need. Therapy is an individual journey, so the path we carve together is unique in it’s terrain, speed and outcome. I look forward to meeting each client with an open mind and heart. Looking forward to hearing from you!

I am licensed in Montana with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

As a licensed mental health professional with a decade of experience in Montana, I specialize in assisting clients with a diverse range of challenges, including stress and anxiety management, relationship issues, motivation enhancement, self-esteem cultivation, and addressing depression. My approach prioritizes the creation of an open and safe therapeutic environment, where individuals feel empowered to share their thoughts and emotions without apprehension of judgment. Embarking on the journey towards a more fulfilling and contented life requires courage, and I am dedicated to providing steadfast support throughout this process. Together, we can work collaboratively to navigate obstacles, cultivate resilience, and foster positive growth. Your well-being is my utmost priority, and I am committed to helping you achieve your goals and aspirations.

I am licensed in Montana with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, & trauma and abuse. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Monica Gutierrez is an Arizona-native who earned a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University. Monica is passionate about supporting young people in becoming the best versions of themselves and has been lucky enough to work with them in different settings including outpatient, inpatient, and now as a part of the Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP) team. She believes strongly in supporting clients and families with the use of a strengths-based, client-centered, humanistic and family systems approach, in order to empower the individual within the family, and the family as a unit. Monica has utilized her training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, as well as in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to support teens and young adults through their personal growth journey while in our program. She understands the importance of therapeutic alliance as it relates to optimizing progress in treatment and does her best to really get to know each and every client to make their treatment experience as unique and individual as possible. It is an honor to be part of each treatment team and she is inspired by each client’s journey and growth. When Monica is not at work, you will find her spending her free time with friends, crafting, spending quality time with family, or going on long walks with her dog!