Suicidal Ideation Therapists in Missoula, MT

Hello, I'm Annie! I founded Montana DBT Associates and our focus is on helping youth, teens, and families by providing Dialectical Behavior Therapy. DBT is the gold standard treatment for individuals (adults and adolescents) experience intense and unstable emotions, and who are struggling with suicide and self-harm. DBT helps individuals find the middle ground between extremes and opposites and to increase their skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, relationships, communication, and tolerating intense emotions. Our DBT services are provided with a mindfulness and understanding of attachment and trauma.

I invite adults and adolescents into my private practice. I have experience working with individuals that have experienced trauma, abuse, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, attachment disorders, and struggle to maintain relationships with family members and others. I am very knowledgeable in human development and can work with adult family members that are struggling with children's/ family behaviors at home and are seeking a positive change in daily life. I focus on helping client's find the personalized emotional regulation and self-care techniques that actually work for your individualized needs.

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.

Valerie's clinical practice is focused on complex trauma, developmental trauma, PTSD, domestic and sexual violence, and at-risk adolescence.

Throughout life we are faced with obstacles that can leave us feeling stuck, overwhelmed and defeated. At times we may even feel so alone, depressed or hopeless that we begin to think that suicide may be our only option. If this sounds like you--you are not alone! I have helped many clients to manage and overcome these issues, while feeling more empowered and in control of their lives. I understand how hard it is to seek out help. I am here to support you in your journey to change, healing and living a more fulfilling life.

My areas of specialization include adoption, anger management, antisocial personality, anxiety, behavioral issues, bipolar disorder, codependency, depression, divorce, domestic abuse, domestic violence, dual diagnosis, emotional disturbance, family conflict, grief, life transitions, marital and premarital, oppositional defiance, parenting, peer relationships, relationship issues, school issues, sex therapy, suicidal ideation and trauma and PTSD. I focus on a wide range of clients including adults, teenagers, preteenagers, and children. I use several therapeutic modalities/approaches.

My approach is client-driven and integrative. I start with assessing developmental history, losses and trauma, and behavioral health issues. I then clarify with the client how I can assist them with their identified goals.

My therapy practice is focused on helping people cope with anxiety, depression, anger, substance use, and difficult life transitions. I aim to guide people towards building a deeper understanding of themselves and to apply healthy habits and life skills that will create lasting change.

I have an inclusive practice where I care for clients presenting with diverse issues. These include elderly, adults, young adults, youth, and families. In my 30+ years of experience, I have worked in a variety of settings engaging in diverse practice using an eclectic approach with individualized interventions. I believe that individuals have the ability to heal and grow within the context of relationships. I emphasize a framework of building a strong relationship of trust and safety.

I believe that life is not so much about the good or bad breaks we get compared to others, but rather our responses to the challenges that virtually everyone faces. These responses add up to the story of our lives. My approach is to help individuals, couples and families to respond to life's challenges in ways that promote health and provide for one's story to move forward in a hopeful and productive way. Depression, anxiety, relational problems and/or trauma are as common as breathing and the good news is that there is hope for everyone.

Navigating life transitions, such as the profound changes brought on by death, divorce, unemployment, or chronic health issues, can be an overwhelming experience. In these moments of fear, anxiety, and hopelessness, Kate extends an invitation to approach these challenges with openness and safety. Kate believes in shifting the focus from dwelling on the past to exploring the possibilities of what can be. It's about empowering individuals to see beyond their current obstacles and envision a future filled with potential and growth.

Whether individuals are struggling with depression, anxiety, psychosis or other severe mental health symptoms, trauma, legal issues or anything in between, I’ve learned that everyone wants to live their best life and generally be happier. Unfortunately sheer force of will is not usually enough to help them get there and they need a little help and support in the process. I also have a passion for helping working professionals such as medical professionals and other therapists who often feel like loved ones simply do not understand the pressures they experience have a safe place to discuss, get support, and decompress.

I specialize in working with individuals and couples navigating reproductive experiences including perinatal mood disorders, loss, infertility, high-risk pregnancies, NICU, birth trauma, abortion, and parental identity adjustment.

I have twenty years of experience working with individuals and couples in a psychodynamic approach. My orientation includes attachment theory, schema therapy, psychoanalysis, emotionally focused therapy, and mindfulness. My goal is to help you reduce your emotional suffering, better understand yourself, improve your relationships, and become a happier and more relaxed person.

Please note: I do not have openings for new clients. I work with adults who are struggling with day to day stresses, life transitions or survivors of trauma. I have worked within the fields of trauma and mental health for over 20 years. I believe the foundation of belonging, sense of well-being and change is grounded in relationships, how we interact and how we are supported by others. Whether you are struggling with feelings of depression, anxiety, family conflict or past experience with trauma, I view my role as someone who is neutral and a facilitator of the process in which self-worth is strengthened and persons supported.

I believe that all people are capable of healing from past trauma and making changes to improve their lives. I feel fortunate to be able to help people through these processes. I work hard to earn my clients' trust by offering them authenticity, understanding, and unconditional positive regard. I have been in the mental health field for 16 years and I have been practicing therapy in Missoula for the past 14 years.

Trying to navigate your sense of self in the stressful state of the world can be exceptionally challenging. Do you feel weighed down by persistent anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or overwhelming stress? If you are seeking a space where you can gain deeper self-understanding and alleviate distress, you’ve come to the right place. Within each of us lies the potential to overcome specific challenges and conflicts that weigh us down. I prioritize building a secure and trusting therapeutic relationship allowing us to explore patterns of thought, emotional responses, and behaviors that may hinder your progress and influence your well-being.

I believe the therapeutic process should include trust and non-judgment as its foundation. Attachment Theory influences my practice. I have 22 years of experience working with children and families who have experienced trauma as well as adolescents and adults who face life stressors. I enjoy working with a variety of needs and populations.

I offer a strengths-based practice aimed at providing services to adolescents, adults & families in the scope of addiction, trauma, disordered eating, behavioral health, reproductive health/infertility & life transitions. I utilized a mixed approach to therapy centered around self-compassion, motivational enhancement, cognitive behavioral therapy, communication skills, and mind/body connection. Other methodology is applied as appropriate. My goal is to meet Client's where they are in their therapeutic process, encourage them to be an active participant in their own care and provide usable skills to be used outside of therapy.