Therapists in Polson, MT

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.

Psychotherapy is not about a healer and a patient. Therapy is a human-to-human encounter where we build safety, radical acceptance, courageous self-assessment, and mutual humility. Together we build the strength, skills, courage and insight needed to reckon with all the turbulence that brought you to this moment, this meeting. I have certain skills, tools-for-exploration-and-healing, and ongoing specialized training. We hold space together to re-experience/speak/honor our suffering, and then use what we discover to grow your capacity for compassion, release, equanimity and joyful living.

My “Therapist Mission Statement” is to aid you on your journey of emotional healing, courageous vulnerability, and attachment security. I work from a perspective that prioritizes the importance of emotions, self-esteem, and relationships. Clients have described me as “warm, collaborative, easy to talk to, and insightful”. I strive to facilitate therapy that is as helpful and comfortable as possible. I believe in crafting each session to the specific needs of the individual or couple. At different times I will be your cheerleader, emotional witness, process consultant, reality-checker, co-regulator, and emotional translator.

I want to help others because I care about people, and I love what I do for that very reason. I, and if you would like my therapy canine Ronin, are excited to meet and work with you to help you achieve your goals. I received my Masters of Social Work in 2014 and I am licensed to practice with my LCSW. I specialize in cognitive/thought processes as well as behavioral issues.

Over the past ten years of my professional life, I have worked with individuals and their families to achieve a sense of well being, increase agency and reduce distress. With a holistic view of each client, I offer a trauma-informed, person-centered approach that allows me to meet the needs of a wide variety of individuals and families. I am committed to meeting clients where they are and working tirelessly to create a real therapeutic relationship that is non-judgemental, safe and authentic.

I'm a Montana native who has worked in the field of trauma for over 20 years. If you are guarded, uncertain about therapy, worried about being judged for your thoughts and viewpoints, or in general are reluctant about therapy please consider reaching out to me. A lot has changed in the last 5 years and many people are questioning the world and their role in it. If you feel disenfranchised, apathetic, depressed, or uncertain about your beliefs and values you are not alone. I am open to all perspectives and values, regardless of your background.

“Your task is not to seek for Love, but to find all the barriers you have built within yourself against it”, Rumi. Do you find yourself repeating a cycle of staying in disatisfying jobs, or unhappy relationships, but unable to break out? Exploring the root of these behaviors can help free us to be be our more authentic selves. From a place of self love, we can recognize the nature and causes of limiting beliefs, self defeating behavior, and move into deeper, more satisfying relationships, and coming to a greater sense of belonging, joy and love with ourselves and others.

It is my belief that people are meant to be deeply known and know others. My mission is to help individuals and couples be fully seen, heard, and understood in their relationships. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or simply need to gain more insight into your personal growth journey, I am here to guide and support you through the process. As a couples and premarital counselor, I help couples navigate the complexities of relationships by providing them with communication tools, conflict resolution strategies, and a deeper understanding of their emotional needs and attachment styles.

I have worked for three decades with individuals seeking to overcome a wide variety of issues related to addiction, depression, anxiety, establishing a sense of identity and purpose that feels good to them, forming healthy habits, achieving intimacy and maintaining relationships, attaining life goals, and overcoming many forms of trauma. I have worked with adolescents, adults, families, couples, combat veterans, professional athletes, medical professionals, as well as adolescents and adults with diverse ethnic, indigenous, sexual, gender, and cultural identities. It is such an honor to assist in the discovery of personal truths.

Bridger Peaks Counseling is a multidisciplinary therapy practice Missoula, the Bitterroot Valley, and Bozeman dedicated to helping transform individual wellbeing and community mental health. We support individuals and families of all ages through online and in-person therapy with a collaborative, compassionate, and evidence-based approach. We believe in a connected, compassionate world in which everyone has the resources and support to heal from trauma and lead happier, healthier lives. We are allies and advocates for all identities, backgrounds, and mental health needs.

Although my practice is not limited to people who identify as LGBTQIA+, my specialty is working with transgender and gender non-conforming people and helping them address issues such as coming out to family and friends, navigating school or work issues, changing identity documents, and coping with the many social and emotional changes that transition brings. I also understand that transgender is an umbrella term that encompasses many identities and not all people wish to or can afford to medically transition. I meet people where they are and help them navigate where they want to go.

Is your relationship struggling with communication, intimacy or emotional connection? Do medical challenges leave you feeling stressed or anxious? Are you wrestling with emotional or physical pain?  If so, I am here to help you accomplish your mental health, relationship, and life goals. I can assist you in navigating challenges such as chronic pain, learning to accept change, and learning to move forward in life with a positive attitude. In addition to individual therapy, I specialize in couples therapy and marriage counseling. Let's work together to resolve relationship difficulties, cope with negative emotions and thrive.

Life can lead us to feel stuck and alone, without a clear path forward, hopeless for a change. At some point we all face obstacles in our life that require relationship to find movement and a way through. I would love to join you on your road to wholeness, working together to find hope and a fresh perspective.

There's something you are seeking to understand and discover. Though you may not know exactly what that is at this time, the need and desire to search is there. Something is compelling you to begin the quest of transforming the old and heavy parts of yourself into a more insightful and refined whole. What is important is that you have decided to begin the quest of understanding your past and present, and determining your future.

There are many times throughout life that lead to challenges and struggles that can be difficult to navigate. Over my 20 years working in the mental health field I have helped people with a wide range of issues. I have found that developing a relationship based on empathy, insight and authenticity can allow for a plan to be put into place that can lead to lasting change. No matter if it is a new struggle that has surfaced or a long standing one I believe that I will be able to provide the necessary perspective to help you find the clarity and direction you are seeking.