Attachment-based Therapists in Montana

My patients are ready for something to change. Whether they are struggling with difficult emotions or trying to recover from past trauma, they acknowledge that there is healing to be done. Counseling is powerful. I am a believer of the positive outcomes that can occur when one commits to the tough work. I have been a therapist since 2014 and working in the mental health field since 2007. I value ongoing education and consultation to best serve my patients. By creating a safe space, I help patients connect with their "parts of self" that are resilient.

I work with clients within an attachment-based/relational framework, which posits that healing and transformation occurs through a safe, authentic, empathically attuned, and responsive therapeutic relationship. From this framework, I tend to integrate several different approaches to therapy. Common to each approach is an emphasis on increasing self-awareness and understanding of yourself, which includes your emotional and relational needs and how you go about trying to meet those needs in either helpful or unhelpful ways.

Wherever you are in your life, I’d love to get to know you and see what healing we can accomplish together. I am constantly amazed by the resourcefulness that clients have used to survive through the hardest parts of their lives. Oftentimes, making it through also means that we have developed parts of ourselves that are tough enough to cause us problems we can’t solve alone. I see my job as a therapist as being that other person who helps you create a safe and curious space to heal the frustrations between those parts that feel stuck and the parts that help you thrive.

I love working with my clients in the relational field with a goal of undoing aloneness. We will work together to identify defenses and blocks that prevent wholehearted, healthy living. With a goal of transformational change using client-centered attachment based therapy processes for a variety of mental health concerns. I specialize in the treatment of trauma induced syndromes. I primarily see adults; considering each individual, their goals and needs and seeking feedback to ensure that a therapeutic alliance can be fostered and make every effort to maintain that connection.

I approach therapy from an attachment based orientation. I believe healing happens in the context of relationship. I focus on the awareness of safety to foster secure relationships to address old patterns of coping and survival. I use the innate intelligence of the body to guide the healing process toward health and balance.

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

Accepting in person individual sessions! I work with individuals who are seeking assistance in healing recent or past trauma, anxiety/depression, life transitions, interpersonal/domestic violence, and women who are experiencing pregnancy or postpartum. I use evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), parts work, solution focused brief therapy (SFBT), and motivational interviewing through an attachment based lens.

Life can be unpredictable, unsettling, or challenging at times. My passion is to help and empower people to navigate through their journeys by providing compassionate and attentive clinical treatment. Through the use of attachment-based therapy, I work with clients to develop a strong connection and professional relationship that allows clients to feel safe, respected, and heard. I also practice using modalities and interventions from sensorimotor psychotherapy to assist in regulating the autonomic nervous system. I have experience working with maternal mental health, trauma, depression, anxiety, and many other mental health needs.

My goal as a counselor is to help you feel comfortable to face life's challenges, no matter the circumstances. Therapy can feel like a leap of faith, and I'm here to help create safety. Through this process, you can search for your truest self and honest desires without ever feeling like you're alone. For better or for worse, we live within our own world where we are the center and the focus. Therapy can be difficult. I also believe it can be connective, creative, insightful, and foster immense healing. And the hardest part can be reaching out.

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.

Are you battling anxiety daily? Do you find yourself overthinking everything? Does your body feel fried? Do you struggle with feelings of self-worth? Do you have trouble getting through the day? Do you have a lot of trauma that you’ve tried to work through before but felt like it didn’t get you to where you want to be?

My goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment in order for individuals, couples, and families to find a way through their difficulties. I use a collaborative client-centered approach and focus on providing a safe haven in which the client(s) can begin the healing journey.

You may be saying to yourself: "I feel stuck. I feel disengaged. The problems seem insurmountable. When I attempt conversation about difficult issues they invariably turn to gridlock. Hurtful words are used by both of us. Withdrawal, isolation and silence follow. It seems we have a crisis over something. Then we have a brief honeymoon followed by a period of tension leading to another explosion. Seems like it never ends. Seems my efforts to engage are met with distancing by my spouse. I feel more and more disconnected, more helpless and hopeless about this relationship."

I am passionate about helping others make the changes they want to see in their lives. My practice is person-centered and strengths-based, offering a safe, open space, free of judgement, to explore your world-your thoughts, feelings, choices, and relationships. I truly believe that all people have the ability to grow and heal, even in the darkest of our times. Working together, we can discover your strengths, build skills, and overcome obstacles for you to find fulfillment and achieve your goals. "It is never too late to be what you might have been!" --George Eliot

My therapeutic approach is holistic and integrative, drawing from emotion-focused, attachment-based, and trauma-informed perspectives. I facilitate introspection, supporting clients with understanding the root of their behaviors, emotional patterns, and relationship dynamics. Through this approach, I aim to support my clients develop the skills necessary to foster deeper connections with themselves, others, and the world around them.

I work with individuals and couples experiencing a wide range of issues such as depression, anxiety, life transitions, or noticing continued patterns of conflict. Whatever is bringing you to counseling, we can work together to discuss what might benefit you the most at this time in life. Your willingness to seek help opens the door to discovering how you might create the change you wish for yourself, whether you're looking to explore something that has been deeply impactful, better understand yourself, learn how to effectively communicate and feel connected in your relationships, or feel like 'you' again.

Hello! Thank you for considering my practice. I'm committed to providing a welcoming and safe atmosphere for healing and growth. My therapeutic foundation is relationship and attachment based (childhood through adulthood and life transitions.) I have 16 years in the Missoula community providing therapy to adults, children, and families. My experience includes helping clients heal trauma, implementing practical skills for managing distress, and helping individuals understand personal attachment patterns and develop secure relating (improved relationships). I also provide equine facilitated psychotherapy sessions from Spring to Fall.

My goal is to make you feel heard and understood. I meet you exactly where you are at, listen to you, challenge you, and support you in developing a connection with yourself and the world around you. The therapeutic relationship is an opportunity for you to feel validated, trusted, and above all, authentic and connected.  I want to support adults and couples in rebuilding a connection with themselves and to cultivate purpose and curiosity in one another. I help families establish open communication, trust, and create healthier boundaries in order to facilitate more enriched relationships moving forward.

Do you need support to improve your mental and emotional state of being? I am honest, loving, direct and non-judgmental; with a calling to help others by bringing awareness to what is causing mental suffering to facilitate healing. Services offered include a blend of various therapeutic modalities. One size does not fit all and I work uniquely with each client based on their specific need, emotional and psychological ailment, and temperament. Play therapy techniques are utilized when working with children. I am professionally trained in Somatic therapy used in treating trauma/PTSD and mindfulness techniques for stress reduction.