As the county seat of Lewis and Clark County and state capital of Montana, Helena is a popular place to live. This town was built on the gold mining camp during the Montana gold rush back in 1864 where more than three billion dollars of gold was found in twenty years. Strangely enough, the city is now one of the least populous state capitals in the United States, so you are not going to be annoyed by traffic and crowds everywhere.
Being the birthplace of actors Dirk Benedict and Gary Cooper, singer Charley Pride, and philosopher Brand Blanshard, the town has had its share of superstars but even they need emotional help sometimes. Luckily, there are many dedicated therapists in town for this purpose.

Paul Dokey
I believe being in therapy is about having a place of safety and support so that you can express your thoughts and feelings. By using a present focused approach I create a caring environment that will help you make changes in your life. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missoula specializing in psychotherapy with individuals and couples. I have over 20 years experience working with people who are dealing with depression, anxiety, loss/grief, trauma/PTSD, ADHD, and relationship issues. I have a Bachelors degree in Cultural Anthropology. My focus is on using a cognitive behavioral approach to understand patterns of thinking and change self defeating beliefs; and developing mindfulness skills to create greater self-acceptance and satisfaction in your life.

Teresa Lewis
I earned my bachelor’s in Social work from the University of Montana in 1996. Since that time, in 2003, I earned my Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW. I have over 20 years of experience working with patients of all ages. I have clinical experience with outpatient, intensive outpatient and psychological inpatient. I believe in a person-centered counseling approach where my clients can feel a sense of respect and autonomy. I also have experience as a medical social worker that enhances my ability to work with comorbid diseases. l am well versed with cognitive behavioral therapies such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, DBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT. I also offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) for clients suffering from anxiety, panic, PTSD, or trauma. In addition, I utilize motivational interviewing skills, rational emotive behavioral therapy, and I have experience working with addictions. Furthermore, with addictions comes co-occurring disorders and I have had the privilege of working with that population for years. Your goals are what are important to me and will be the foundation of our therapeutic journey. I understand that it can be difficult to ask for help and I recognize the courage that it takes. No matter what struggle you are facing, I hope it is one that we can work on together!

Ida Whitaker
I am a 2017 graduate from Azusa Pacific University; with my MA in Psychology- Marriage and Family Therapy and have been working in my field for the last 8 years. I am licensed as a LMFT in both California and Montana. I have conducted individual and group therapy in office and online, with my main focus on outpatient treatment settings with clients who have a wide range of concerns including: Depression, Drug & Alcohol Addition, Chronic Homelessness, Veteran and Military related issues, Relationship problems, Parenting concerns, and Childhood related trauma. Education Credentials Include: Licensed by the State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) Licensed by the State of Montana, Board of Behavioral Health (BBH) Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- Behavioral Heath Services (BHS) San Diego Substance Abuse Training- Palomar Family Counseling Service, INC. Emotional Focused Therapy: Triage, Alliant International University San Diego I feel honored to be part of your healing process without judgement. I am here for you and thank you for entrusting me with sensitive situations to help work through your most personal issues. You're Courageous and I look forward to working with you as a team.

Wendie Vanderwater
I have 19 years experience working with all different types of people. I use many different treatment methods, geared towards what works for you. My style is to be honest and real with people. I am not judgmental and believe many people are too hard on themselves. You choose what you are comfortable with. Do you want homework or just to work in therapy? Often treatments are combined such as DBT and CBT. We may work on mindfulness along with journaling as a way to get in touch with feelings. I use DBT on a daily basis so i know it works. Mindfulness is an important factor in treatment. I will ask questions in order to discover what you need. I see issues as a challenge to discovering what works for you. I also believe that you need to do things to make yourself happy. Volunteer, join a book club, it is important to keep yourself active.

Liz Smith
I am first, a client-centered therapist. I believe therapy should be about the client and be met with unconditional positive regard. There is no place for judgment in therapy, and I am here to help you process and make your own decisions, not to tell you what to do. I’ve been in practice over eight years with a focus on substance use, trauma, and LGBTQ+ issues. I can be solution-focused; however, I believe in listening to the client above anything else. I am trained in EMDR and very comfortable in using this modality via telehealth. I use Gestalt Therapy techniques, along with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques to help clients explore ongoing emotions in the here and now. I earned a Master of Science in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Capella University. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC), and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). I am fluent in English and Spanish.

Timothy Porter
I am licensed in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho with nearly 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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.

Loretta Abbott
I am licensed in Montana and California with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, those coping with addictions, lgbt-related issues, & trauma and abuse. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I fully believe in each individual's inner wisdom and work with clients to help them better access that wisdom through the use of compassionate interviewing and listening. I primarily employ therapeutic tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness. I have completed the first weekend training for EMDR, working with a EMDR consultant and registered for the second weekend in March 2024 in order to apply for EMDR certification.

Lynda Woods
Thank you for taking a risk and reaching out for help. It takes a lot of courage to take that first step towards change and I'm glad you're here. I look forward to helping you look at barriers that are keeping you from living your best life. I've worked with hundreds of people over the past 10+ years facing challenges just like you including trauma, depression, anxiety, life stressors, grief and coping with addictions. It is an honor to work with people as they explore challenges that are blocking them from experiencing the life they envision. My goal is work with you to develop a plan to address your specific needs in an environment where you feel supported and validated. I celebrate all individuals and believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I look forward to working with you!

Shila Johnson
I am licensed in Montana with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Monica Gutierrez
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!
Find a therapist serving clients in Montana
Types of therapists available to clients in Helena
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Helena that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Helena available through BetterHelp are accredited to help individuals and couples. Helena therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Helena therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Helena region and in the state of Montana.
How a therapist can help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want
Therapists in Helena can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Helena may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.