Addiction Psychiatrists in Whitefish, MT

My biggest interests and areas of training are with addiction, geriatrics, and public mental health.
Accepting New Clients - Please reach out! Many people suffer with their mental health and often suffer needlessly. I have been a psychiatrist since 2001 and have experience with many types of people, ages 18-118. I think it's important to take a "life story" approach to get a sense of someone's needs and to be able to develop an effective treatment plan, often in coordination with therapists, primary care providers, and specialists.
My biggest interests and areas of training are with addiction, geriatrics, and public mental health.
Accepting New Clients - Please reach out! Many people suffer with their mental health and often suffer needlessly. I have been a psychiatrist since 2001 and have experience with many types of people, ages 18-118. I think it's important to take a "life story" approach to get a sense of someone's needs and to be able to develop an effective treatment plan, often in coordination with therapists, primary care providers, and specialists.

Summit Psychiatry Associates
Physician Assistant, PA-C, CAQ-PSY, DSc
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Serves Area
We have over 11 years of experience in psychiatry, behavioral health, and substance use care across the lifespan.
Summit Psychiatry Associates – Compassionate Mental Health Care in Montana
At Summit Psychiatry Associates, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered psychiatric care for individuals across Montana. Our team offers comprehensive mental health services through telepsychiatry and in-person visits, ensuring that care is accessible no matter where you are in the state.
We specialize in psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and personalized treatment plans for a wide range of mental health conditions, including:
Depression, Anxiety disorders, ADHD, PTSD, Bipolar disorder, OCD, Autism.
We have over 11 years of experience in psychiatry, behavioral health, and substance use care across the lifespan.
Summit Psychiatry Associates – Compassionate Mental Health Care in Montana
At Summit Psychiatry Associates, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered psychiatric care for individuals across Montana. Our team offers comprehensive mental health services through telepsychiatry and in-person visits, ensuring that care is accessible no matter where you are in the state.
We specialize in psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and personalized treatment plans for a wide range of mental health conditions, including:
Depression, Anxiety disorders, ADHD, PTSD, Bipolar disorder, OCD, Autism.

Laira L Fonner
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, DNP, APRN, PMHNP
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Whitefish, MT 59937
I've worked with individuals experiencing mental health crises since 2015. I have experience working with patients of all ages. I am an empathetic listener, and take the time to get to know my clients. I enjoy collaborating with clients to establish individualized treatment plans aimed at achieving mental health goals.
I've worked with individuals experiencing mental health crises since 2015. I have experience working with patients of all ages. I am an empathetic listener, and take the time to get to know my clients. I enjoy collaborating with clients to establish individualized treatment plans aimed at achieving mental health goals.
More Psychiatrists Nearby

As a psychiatric Physician Assistant with a background in addiction medicine, I’m passionate about partnering with clients who are ready to take meaningful steps toward healing and growth.
I specialize in medication management, but also emphasize the power of lifestyle changes, healthy habits, and personal insight. I use motivational interviewing to inspire change, meet clients where they are, and support them in building a life aligned with their values.
As a psychiatric Physician Assistant with a background in addiction medicine, I’m passionate about partnering with clients who are ready to take meaningful steps toward healing and growth.
I specialize in medication management, but also emphasize the power of lifestyle changes, healthy habits, and personal insight. I use motivational interviewing to inspire change, meet clients where they are, and support them in building a life aligned with their values.

I work with individuals seeking to bring order to their lives as a result of mental health or substance use concerns.
My goal is not just to prescribe you medication and send you on your way, but to be a long-term partner in helping you achieve a happy and fulfilling life. I focus on finding the missing pieces and bringing these together with holistic mental health care, prescription medications, talk therapy, nutrition, mind-body practices, and healthy lifestyle.
I work with individuals seeking to bring order to their lives as a result of mental health or substance use concerns.
My goal is not just to prescribe you medication and send you on your way, but to be a long-term partner in helping you achieve a happy and fulfilling life. I focus on finding the missing pieces and bringing these together with holistic mental health care, prescription medications, talk therapy, nutrition, mind-body practices, and healthy lifestyle.

I treat all psychiatric conditions including ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Schizophrenia, Autism, PTSD, and substance use disorders.
Currently accepting new clients! - I am a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with 39 plus years of experience and would be honored to support you or your children. I approach care leaning into the feelings and thoughts of my patients and families and use an eclectic, trauma-informed, developmentally-sensitive approach. I love my job, and enjoy learning from my patients and families. My passion is to empower my patients and families to advocate for their best interests and make real changes to developmental trajectories over time.
I treat all psychiatric conditions including ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Schizophrenia, Autism, PTSD, and substance use disorders.
Currently accepting new clients! - I am a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with 39 plus years of experience and would be honored to support you or your children. I approach care leaning into the feelings and thoughts of my patients and families and use an eclectic, trauma-informed, developmentally-sensitive approach. I love my job, and enjoy learning from my patients and families. My passion is to empower my patients and families to advocate for their best interests and make real changes to developmental trajectories over time.

Ashley Cooper
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, MSN, APRN, PMHNPBC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Online Only
Accepting new patients for medication management! My ideal client is someone struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, or PTSD, seeking the right medications to improve their mental health. They may feel overwhelmed or stuck in their symptoms and are looking for a tailored treatment plan to regain balance and stability. Together, we’ll find the right medications to help them feel better and achieve lasting improvements. Let’s work together to get you on the path to better mental well-being.
Accepting new patients for medication management! My ideal client is someone struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, or PTSD, seeking the right medications to improve their mental health. They may feel overwhelmed or stuck in their symptoms and are looking for a tailored treatment plan to regain balance and stability. Together, we’ll find the right medications to help them feel better and achieve lasting improvements. Let’s work together to get you on the path to better mental well-being.

We all tend to seek help when what we are doing is no longer working, or we feel stuck , dissatisfied or our life is out of control, or someone we care about says that we should get help. I view these pivotal moments as potential moments of alchemy, if we are willing to be mindful with what is, staying with our experience and working through it. Remaining mindFUL allows the experience to teach us what we are supposed to learn, if we are open to it. I am here to support you as you go through your journey, face your challenges, identify patterns with you that keep you feel stuck so that you can be more free to be your best self.
We all tend to seek help when what we are doing is no longer working, or we feel stuck , dissatisfied or our life is out of control, or someone we care about says that we should get help. I view these pivotal moments as potential moments of alchemy, if we are willing to be mindful with what is, staying with our experience and working through it. Remaining mindFUL allows the experience to teach us what we are supposed to learn, if we are open to it. I am here to support you as you go through your journey, face your challenges, identify patterns with you that keep you feel stuck so that you can be more free to be your best self.

Jen Buscher
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, DNP, PMHNP
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Kalispell, MT 59901
Accepting new clients! I specialize in medication management for children and adolescents dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma. I also specialize in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders as a way to support both the health of a birthing individual and their child. My ideal client is someone who feels stuck or overwhelmed, struggling to manage their emotions or behavior. Their goal is to find the right treatment to improve their mental well-being and regain balance. I work closely with families to tailor medication plans and ensure lasting progress. Let’s work together to help you and your child thrive.
Accepting new clients! I specialize in medication management for children and adolescents dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma. I also specialize in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders as a way to support both the health of a birthing individual and their child. My ideal client is someone who feels stuck or overwhelmed, struggling to manage their emotions or behavior. Their goal is to find the right treatment to improve their mental well-being and regain balance. I work closely with families to tailor medication plans and ensure lasting progress. Let’s work together to help you and your child thrive.

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), I'm passionate about providing compassionate and effective mental health care and empowering individuals to achieve their optimal mental well-being.
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), I'm passionate about providing compassionate and effective mental health care and empowering individuals to achieve their optimal mental well-being.

Currently accepting new clients! - For me, care starts with the values and goals of my patients and families so that we can develop collaborative solutions spanning beyond what medications can do alone. Through my training with multi-cultural and Eastern practices, I believe in working with a holistic, transparent approach that carefully incorporates medications or supplements to help support lasting change. Before working with my child, adolescent, and adult clients with Frontier Psychiatry, I worked as the Chief Psychiatry Fellow at the Yale Child Study Center in Connecticut.
Currently accepting new clients! - For me, care starts with the values and goals of my patients and families so that we can develop collaborative solutions spanning beyond what medications can do alone. Through my training with multi-cultural and Eastern practices, I believe in working with a holistic, transparent approach that carefully incorporates medications or supplements to help support lasting change. Before working with my child, adolescent, and adult clients with Frontier Psychiatry, I worked as the Chief Psychiatry Fellow at the Yale Child Study Center in Connecticut.

Optimize Psychiatry, LLC
Psychiatrist, DO
Verified Verified
Kalispell, MT 59901
Not accepting new clients
Optimize Psychiatry offers a modern & natural approach to psychiatry that is Personalized, Holistic, Functional & Scientifically Informed. We take a root-cause analytic approach to each client's unique biochemistry, genetics & psychological factors and work to align physiology, neurology, and psychodynamics by incorporating insights from various disciplines within and outside of medicine. Our goal is always to help you retrieve or discover your Optimized Self through insight and future-driven change designed to improve your health across life domains and aligned with your deepest values. (More details at optimizepsychiatry.com)
Optimize Psychiatry offers a modern & natural approach to psychiatry that is Personalized, Holistic, Functional & Scientifically Informed. We take a root-cause analytic approach to each client's unique biochemistry, genetics & psychological factors and work to align physiology, neurology, and psychodynamics by incorporating insights from various disciplines within and outside of medicine. Our goal is always to help you retrieve or discover your Optimized Self through insight and future-driven change designed to improve your health across life domains and aligned with your deepest values. (More details at optimizepsychiatry.com)
See more therapy options for Whitefish
Addiction Psychiatrists
What is the best therapy for addiction?
Addiction treatment will be tailored to the individual. People seeking help for addiction—whether with a psychotherapist, in an outpatient clinic, or in a residential program—should expect to engage in multiple types of treatments, sometimes including medication. For anyone recovering from addiction, avoiding situations in which one has typically used a substance is essential, as is the support of close connections. Since substance use disorders tend to co-occur with underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, those must also be addressed as part of any recovery plan.
How long does therapy for addiction take?
There is no set timeline for recovery from addiction. Patients and their families should expect the work to last several months, if not longer. Residential treatment programs may be based on a stay of 30, 60, or 90 days, with continuing work after release, but only about 1 percent of people are treated in such facilities. Ceasing use is just the first step; therapy to help maintain abstinence and effect behavior change must follow. The process of recovery, neuroscience has shown, involves brain cells recovering the capacity to respond to natural sources of reward and restore control over the impulse to use. Another definition of recovery is restoring voluntary control over one’s substance use and retaking all of one’s previous responsibilities.
How effective is drug addiction treatment?
Substance use disorders are treatable and remission is achievable for many who seek recovery; by some estimates, more than three-quarters of people who become addicted to alcohol or drugs recover. But that success rarely occurs quickly or on a set timeline; relapse is not only common, but many therapists and clinicians view it as a normal part of the process—not always a sign that a person has returned to addiction, but a signal that their treatment should be adjusted to help them regain control. Overall, research suggests, five years after the end of substance use, one’s risk of relapse is no greater than that of others who had not faced addiction. Other experts believe that complete abstinence is not the only measure of recovery, and that, through effective treatment, many people can learn to control their use.
How can you get addiction treatment for someone?
The most important factor in recovery from addiction is widely understood to be an individual’s commitment to change. For that reason,“interventions” in which friends and family gather to urge or force someone to begin immediate treatment often backfire; even when such efforts do lead someone to begin treatment, they may be less likely to stay than those who are self-driven. Still, family members can play an important role in supporting an individual who seeks help and can take part in family therapy as one element of a loved one’s treatment.