Therapists in Montana

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.

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.

Each of us have deep-seeded value and deserve to be connected to our whole selves. Often, past experiences of trauma and suffering not only impact our beliefs, behaviors, and relationships, but disconnect us from ourselves. Discovering ourselves can be difficult, but it is an essential part of healing. Our capacity for growth and change is possible with understanding and compassion.

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?

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.

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 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.

"...be all alive, body, soul, mind, heart, spirit.” Thomas Merton. If it’s happening, it’s human. And, being human can hurt in a multitude of ways for a multitude of reasons. I believe these reasons can be understood, and through understanding we may gain access to answers and interventions that lead to holistic wellness and ultimately to the wellness of our communities. I strive to support individuals in becoming connected to themselves, to become vibrantly alive with the expanding and creative capacity to discover and align with their values and aspirations day by day.

We can all become stuck at times and it can feel so awful. Sometimes we need assistance in facing our difficulties or in identifying fixed patterns that no longer serve us. I help guide clients in exploring these patterns with a curious and self-empowering mindset and support them in finding creative paths to resolution. I have a warm, interactive, directive, and relational style of counseling. I always look forward to collaborating with my clients on their personal journeys! I enjoy using a more directive approach in therapy with clients while still providing plenty of space for clients to explore and process.

I love helping people address needs related to relationships, family, children, faith, and self-development. I am interested in the intricacies, challenges, and healing of relationships which involves honest appraisal and assessment of interpersonal communications which affect the most important aspects of personhood and human interactions. I enjoy the adventure of accompanying clients as they seek resolution of the challenges of living with ourselves and others in the world. The ultimate goal, in my current understanding, is to be at peace with who we are, who we have been, and continue striving to become the person we want to be.

In life, change is inevitable. Sometimes we want it, and sometimes we don't. Sometimes it comes easy, and sometimes it's among the hardest thing we'll ever try to do. Themes central to experiencing change include tolerating uncertainties, having safe supportive others who can witness and support change, and having choice on the kinds of support needed to make sustainable change. I'm pleased to offer Psychotherapy to residents in the State of Montana, as well as Programs and Collective Healing Communities.

Currently Accepting New Clients. I believe behavior is communication. Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to understand you, a child, or a teen is communicating. By creating a judgement free space and empowering the client, I aim to engage adults, children, and teens in centering themselves, processing their experiences, and advocating for their needs. I also have experience working with people impacted by disabilities and systemic trauma.

Currently accepting clients. Sometimes we reach a point in our lives that feels so challenging, we aren’t sure how to move forward. Maybe you are grieving the loss of a loved one, working through a stressful transition, or struggling to connect in relationships. Maybe you can't point to anything specific that's happening in your life, but you've realized that just getting through the day feels like a challenge. Finding your way here is the first step to creating something different for yourself.

I have experience with a broad range of issues and encourage an honest, relationship-based approach to therapy. We work together to explore the issues most important to you. I believe that everyone is capable of change, though easy to say, it is very challenging to put into action. Therapy can create a safe space to reflect upon your world and history. It is a mindful process to accept and redefine yourself. It is a space to look at what parts are activated in your life and which parts feel quiet.

As humans, we were not meant to walk through life alone. Oftentimes when we face the hurt and deep wounds we have incurred over time, we find ourselves feeling disconnected, isolated, and hopeless. More than anything, what we need is the help of others who will delve into these sacred places with us and help us navigate through the uncertainty and emotions that we hold beneath the surface. As your therapist and guide, I am here to help carry these burdens with you so you can walk in emotional freedom and heal from the root of the pain.

I believe we all have the ability to live meaningful lives. And that we all have the potential to heal past traumas, develop new strategies for coping, and grow into the people we want to be. As a therapist, I meet you where you are and, without judgment, maintain a deep sense of curiosity about you and where you want to go. Therapy can play a critical role in unearthing patterns and fully exploring the path that led you to this moment. It can also help you map the way forward through understanding, discovery and clarity. I consider it a privilege to help you along this journey.

My approach is empathic, direct, and thoughtful. Given I have a wide background in my training and experience, I adapt my therapeutic approach to your needs. I find that effective therapy is a collaborative approach where we work together to understand your concerns, their origins, and most importantly what can be done to bring about both the internal and behavioral changes that lead to more satisfaction and fulfillment in life . My goal in therapy is to help integrate your shame and vulnerabilities into a healthy identity grounded in self-esteem, pride, and resiliency.

We thrive when we feel confident in who we are and when we feel connected to the people that matter the most to us. We can feel disconnected when we are lacking the clarity, confidence, creativity, or the skills to navigate the challenges in our lives. Ashton supports her clients to identify and work toward their own goals and values to overcome the internal obstacles in their lives. Personal growth and healing can help us to foster and maintain the relationships that help us feel we are living meaningful and purposeful lives. Ashton provides outpatient counseling for adolescents, young-adults, and adults.

I believe there is already more right with you than wrong with you. When you believe this as well, watch out, for the world will begin to reflect the new perspectives and energy you create. With good reason you arrived at a disbelief in your goodness, uniqueness and personal power to create a better life. Core beliefs are adopted early in life from challenge and trauma. They reside deep in the subconscious where they can be difficult to rewrite. I can help you replace old ways of thinking, feeling and acting with those that support growth, expansion and attainment of goals that lie beyond your current limiting beliefs.