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!
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Antisocial personality, Attachment issues, Avoidant personality, Blended family issues, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dependent personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Midlife crisis, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Phobias, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Smoking / vaping cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
MT LCSW 42645
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Tonya Carpenter. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Tonya is a everything you want/need from a therapist. She is easy to talk to, very informative. Tonya has taught me so much and really helped me to become a better person for myself and my family. She listens and picks up on things that most therapist do not. She has great advice. She also gives you validation when it’s warranted but also will respectfully explain if she doesn’t see something the way you do. She will give you ideas on how to handle situations differently for the future.
She helps you build stepping stones to improve your mental health or just everyday life struggles.
There are so many good things that could be said about Tonya.
If you are someone struggling and just really need someone to talk to or someone to help you through the bad to get to the good she is that person.
Written on Apr 19, 2022 after therapy with Tonya for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, coaching, and adhd
Great therapist.
Written on Feb 28, 2022 after therapy with Tonya for 4 months on issues concerning addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, and coping with life changes
So far, she has helped me understand myself in ways I haven't thought of. She has provided me with tips/tricks or exercises that explore aspects of my personality. She even listens to me on days when I just need to vent about something in particular. I feel like I already have a better grasp on my life after just a few sessions with her!
Written on Nov 19, 2021 after therapy with Tonya for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, coping with life changes, and grief
Tonya makes me feel like I’m talking to a friend, and in the process I have healed in a lot of ways. She helps me in areas where I didn’t know I needed help!
Written on Sep 24, 2021 after therapy with Tonya for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Tonya is awesome! Gave me tons of tips and tricks to help keep a level head. Super nice and easy to talk to
Written on Jul 10, 2021 after therapy with Tonya for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and coping with life changes