Therapists for Teens in Missoula, MT

If you struggle with mental health related issues, family and/or relationship difficulties, unresolved trauma or interpersonal challenges, I am here to help. I enjoy working with clients who are invested in making changes to help improve their lives. I am experienced working with clients with anxiety, mood disorders, interpersonal and relational dynamics, as well as helping those struggling with day to day struggles. If your goal is to be a better parent, a better partner, improve your family relationships, develop better self awareness and/or understand the underlying mental health issues that impact your life, please contact me.

One thing in life is certain, life doesn't unfold like we thought it would. I have over 22 years of experience. I have worked in a mental health hospital, adolescent boys ranch, Cancer Treatment Center, counseling office and counseled as a pastor. My goal is to provide a secure place to offer help, hope, and healing. My mission: to assist clients in cultivating relationships that promote freedom, intimacy, engagement and truth. I meet with individuals, couples (EFT) and families experiencing emotional, relational, spiritual, and marital distress by providing a range of high-quality mental health services that promote wholeness.

I practice a relational form of counseling, which means I weigh heavily on how and why our relationships develop while taking into consideration the mental, physical and emotional associations we draw or conclude from these relationships. The relationship between therapist and client, the relationships you have had over the course of your life, issues and/or concepts you have faced or struggled with, and, most importantly, the relationship you have with yourself are all focal points for counseling. Trust and building rapport with your therapist is paramount and I work to cultivate an environment that promotes respect and self-exploration.

Note: I am currently taking new individual or couples clients for telehealth only. Please visit my web site www.bigskyfamilytherapy.com for more information.

I enjoy working with individuals who are on the verge of major life transitions, and supporting them as they find, develop, and come to celebrate their strengths and individual differences. Those transitions can be from adolescent dependence on their parents to young adulthood; the discovery and acceptance of gender and sexual identity; developing coping skills to manage chronic illnesses; and increasing independence and strengths after changes in relationships.

Do you know what changes you want to make, but not how to get there? Whether you seek brief help or more comprehensive guidance, I am here to help you reach your goals. I have assisted adolescents and adults living with a range of behavioral health concerns, including: depression, anxiety, bipolar, substance use disorders, trauma and PTSD, adjustment disorders, neurodiversity, conduct and personality disorders, OCD, dissociative disorders, neurocognitive disorders, schizophrenic disorders, and co-occurring disorders. I strongly believe in respecting individual characteristics while honoring cultural, gender, and other identities.

We are meant to share life's hardships with others, rather than be alone with our pain. So much suffering today stems from a sense of isolation and disconnection within our lives. I offer a therapeutic relationship based on unconditional acceptance and compassion; where you can feel support in creating healthier relationships, evaluate what you seek in life, and diminish pressures that hinder your growth and happiness. We live in a stressful, anxiety-provoking time. When we slow down and look at our own core values and how we would like to inhabit our lives, we give ourselves permission to make mistakes and grow.

Beginning counseling can feel daunting, but it’s a courageous step toward growth and exploring ways to navigate life’s challenges. My goal is to offer a compassionate space where you can acknowledge difficulties, gain clarity, and voice thoughts you might not have shared before. I’m passionate about working with grief, depression, trauma, and life transitions, and I’m curious about how these experiences show up in your life. I aim to normalize our diverse human experiences while highlighting their universal aspects. Together, we'll recognize and build on your existing inner strengths and introduce new skills that resonate with you.

We are all inherently worthy, resilient, and hard-wired to be connected to others; we also inevitably face suffering in life which can create barriers to these aspects of ourselves. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, my mission is to work alongside you - to be present, deeply listen, and assist you in coming back to the core parts of who you are; to help you transform your suffering into contentment and wholeness. I will be present for whatever you bring to our therapy space and support you in harnessing your power to create the change you want to see in your life.

Life, I believe, is a continuous journey of growth, and I am dedicated to fostering a courageous space for you to venture beyond the familiar. Together, we will create a secure, non-judgmental, and culturally attuned environment that not only respects your unique narrative but also empowers you to script a new chapter, one where your goals are not just envisioned but actively pursued and achieved. My therapeutic practice is anchored in a suite of evidence-based modalities, each chosen for its profound capacity to facilitate healing and growth.

I believe everyone, no matter what their past experience, has an inborn ability for healing. Some reactions we learn for survival can become problems later in life. I'll help you understand how some of your current challenges and symptoms relate to your mind and body's natural, protective wisdom and together we'll access that wisdom for healing. This biology based approach sees you as someone worthy of support, yearning for wellness and capable of improvement, no matter your diagnosis. Skill building, trauma reprocessing, attachment focused support, education, parenting support and mindfulness are among the approaches we may use.

A central focus of my counseling practice is providing affirmative and anti-oppressive support to transgender, non-binary and gender diverse people of all ages, as well as the queer community more broadly. For some people, this might mean that you're actively questioning your gender identity, navigating transitioning or experiencing discrimination. For others, you might have unrelated mental health needs but want to know that you're in a space where your gender and sexuality won't be either ignored or overly focused upon, but just included as another aspect of your experience.

I work with individuals experiencing a range of concerns including life transitions, general stressors, lack of motivation, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and grief. I have experience working with kids, adolescents, and young adults, but welcome all ages. I value getting into nature during sessions and letting clients express themselves through art and play.

I am here to help you or your loved ones with the large scope of challenges life presents. I believe healing begins with trusting relationships, empathy, and a space free from judgement. I have worked in the social work field for over 16 years in a number of different roles, allowing me to use my diverse knowledge and experience to help my clients.

I'm focused on helping children, teens, and adults find their strengths and utilize them to make the healthy lasting changes they are looking for. I specialize in treating a range of problems: Anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, mood disorders, developmental problems, behavioral issues, ADHD, as well as working with families and children with autism. I understand that each person is different and needs to find an approach suited just for them to be able to heal and grow. I use humanistic, CBT, play therapy, DIR Floortime, and solution focused approaches and tailor them to fit your needs as a client.

I believe that psychotherapy is an active process resulting in clarity and change. It can help identify ineffective patterns of thinking and behavior, which may create stress, emotional problems, stress related medical problems, addiction problems, and/or relationship problems. Sometimes the work can be difficult but can also be profoundly rewarding and life changing. I believe in the power of positive change and would love to help you turn your stress into a life balance.

I believe each person has the ability to become aware, reflect, adapt, grow, and heal. I am here to walk along with you and discover your most authentic self. Through a genuine and trusting relationship, clients can feel safe to explore and enhance their quality of life. I offer compassion and tools to aid in your journey. My experience has been working with a wide age range, from adolescents to ages 60+. Specifically, I have experience working with domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, career change, anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal ideation, PTSD, Bipolar I, Bipolar II, among others. Let's persevere together.

My favorite approach to therapy utilizes Attachment Theory. My practice has been weighted toward older adolescents and adults experiencing problems in living through trauma, addictions, suicidal ideation, relational problems, adjustment disorders, and mood and anxiety disorders. I also work with parents of young children. I have trained in Circle of Security, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and I'm well versed in Missoula's systems of social welfare.

There are times wherein our overwhelm can become so great we feel lost.