Mental Health Professionals in Central Montana

A comprehensive list of therapists and counselors in Lewistown and Central Montana

By: Katie Spika

“I’m depressed because I’m going to have depression,” I remember telling a friend when I was around 10 years old, clearly in an effort to get attention. What I had just learned was that depression could have a genetic basis, and given my family, I assumed I was guaranteed to become depressed.

Both of my parents had been treated for depression for as long as I had been alive; my older sister was treated for depression and a whole host of other mental health issues as well. Although as children my younger sister and I were pretty well shielded from the impact of mental illness on their lives, my parents never hid the fact of the illnesses from us. We knew that they took medication and why, and we accepted it as a normal part of life.

But despite my family’s acknowledgement and acceptance of mental illness, psychotherapy as a form of treatment wasn’t really utilized. Sure, my sister saw her fair share of therapists, but I always assumed it was because her case was so extreme; anyone could take pills, but only the truly sick needed therapy.

Of course, I couldn’t have been more wrong. As I’ve learned over the years, there are hundreds of great reasons to seek counseling, and a debilitating mental illness is only one of them. For example:

-You’re undergoing a big change in your life

-You want time to focus on yourself

-You’re withdrawing from things that used to bring you joy

-You want to love and accept yourself

-You’re having harmful thoughts

-You want to find your purpose in life

-You’re feeling isolated or alone

-You want to let go and forgive

-You’re using a substance to cope with issues in your life

-You want to reach a goal

-Your relationships are strained

-You want to thrive in your career

-You’ve suffered a trauma or abuse

-You want to practice assertiveness, expression emotions, or other behaviors that can cause fear

-Your marriage is struggling

-You want to make a good marriage great

-You’ve suffered a loss or are experiencing grief

-You want to be a fantastic parent

-You want to overcome your fears

-You want to improve your body image

-You’re highly successful

-You suspect you might have a mental illness (according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the US experiences mental illness in a given year)

(Thanks to Huffington Post and Psychology Today for the great lists.)

Despite the plethora of reasons to work on mental health through counseling, many still view it as a tool only for the weak or emotional or “damaged.” This may be even more the case in Central Montana, where the “cowboy attitude” of buck-it-up keeps those who could benefit from an outside perspective avoid reaching out.

However, if you or someone you know is ready to take a step toward greater mental health, know that Central Montana has tremendous resources to do so. The hardest part may just be knowing where to start. Luckily, we’ve done that work for you. Below is a listing of licensed counselors in Central Montana (in alphabetical order), along with their areas of expertise, mental health philosophies, and advice for choosing a therapist. Pick a few to interview, and then get ready to start making some positive changes in your life.

Lance Eller, Passages to Peace

"I see people's life like a wheel in the following areas: physical health, mental health, emotional health, spiritual health, and relationship to others health."

About Lance

What is your mental health philosophy? I use a Bio/psycho/social approach to my counseling. I see people's life like a wheel in the following areas: physical health, mental health, emotional health, spiritual health, and relationship to others health. Life requires constant balance in these areas and because of things that happen to us (environmental factors like a close family member dying), and how we cope or adapt to that environmental issue, the wheel can easily get out of balance in one or more of these areas. The truth is that we are all vulnerable to depression and anxiety at some point in our life, either due to environmental factors (like a divorce), or medical factors (such as chronic pain). These emotional and environmental conditions are beyond our control.

Many medical issues such as heart attacks, strokes, chronic pain, dementia, and head injuries, for example, are scientifically shown to be high risk factors for developing depression and anxiety. If a person is willing to take medications prescribed by their healthcare provider for depression and anxiety and seek counseling (if it is recommended, or a person believes it would benefit them), their prognosis for recovery from their depression and anxiety as well as their prognosis for recovery from their medical condition is much improved. In this day and age, we should do away with the stigma that we are "crazy" if we need some help either through counseling, or through medical advice, or a combination of both for depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, and other types of mental illness. We should instead seek the best care options possible to treat our condition.

What are your areas of expertise? PTSD, EMDR, co-dependency, grief counseling, pain management, domestic violence, anger management, sports enhancement, mental health counseling, sexual assault/abuse counseling, and substance abuse evaluations/counseling.

What kinds of treatments do you use or specialize in? I specialize in EMDR Rapid Eye Movement Desensitization or Adaptive Information Processing for both youth and adults with a focus on traumatic experiences. I also do many other types of counseling and use other best practice therapies in my counseling, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

What is your education and career experience? I am a LAC/LCPC. I have a Master’s in Professional Counseling, a Bachelor’s in Social Work, and an Associate’s in Chemical Dependency Counseling. I am Montana licensed in both Addictions and Mental Health, and I am an EMDR-Certified Therapist nation-wide.

The Details

What is the best way to contact you? By phone at 406-535-6614.

Do you have a website? No

Where are you located?

505 W Main, Suite 313

Lewistown, MT 59457

Are you currently accepting new patients? Yes

What types of payment do you accept? EAP programs, insurance pay, Medicaid, MT Coop, and MT Kids Medicaid. Cash payments can be worked out.

Lisa Gilbert, Counseling Associates

About Lisa

What is your mental health philosophy? My mental health philosophy hinges on a collaborative relationship with my client. I am drawn to a mind-body approach to counseling, and I believe in a holistic view of the challenges my client chooses to address. The intimately connected parts of the whole person must be taken into account—mind, body, and spirit. I view the client and myself as a team, with my role being to assist the client in accessing their inherent strengths and potential. I strive to assist clients in building resilience, increasing the client’s ability to overcome faulty and/or negative beliefs and reframe adverse life experiences in a meaningful way. In other words, we are a product of our experiences, and we can address in-the-moment struggles and build understanding of how those struggles are connected to past experiences through the counseling process. The ultimate goal is to understand how our past experiences are impacting our present life, and through this new awareness, be empowered to recognize old patterns or beliefs, and make healthier choices. It is my hope that each client embraces their unique personal strengths and uses those strengths to live their best life.

What are your areas of expertise? I work with children, adolescent, families, and couples. I work with victims of trauma, including child abuse, sexual abuse, and PTSD. I very much enjoy working with children and families, giving them skills to face such challenges as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and many other childhood mental health struggles or behavioral difficulties. I also find tremendous joy in working with gifted children, who often face unique challenges as their social and emotional skills don’t necessarily keep pace with their intellectual skills, creating a set of circumstances that can make it hard for gifted kids to find their place in the world. I am passionate about serving people in rural communities, and have first-hand understanding of the life stresses particular to farming and ranching. In fact, my master’s thesis revolved around assisting multi-generational farm and ranch families with the challenges that are so often part of running a family farm or ranch. I truly enjoy helping multi-generational farm and ranch families create a cohesive business while still being able to function as a family. I also work with individuals struggling with weight loss to address the underlying emotional issues that so often lead to weight struggles, something I have experienced firsthand. Lastly, I am drawn to equine therapy due to a life-long passion for horses and a belief that animals help us connect to ourselves in ways we never imagined.

What kinds of treatments do you use or specialize in? I use many therapy techniques with specific focus on the mind-body connection as well as using the creative process to improve mental health. I also focus on interventions that address trauma and attachment. Specific theories of therapy I gravitate toward include:

-Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, which allows clients to use mindful, in-the-moment experiences to change how emotions are experienced on many levels. This process assists clients in bringing conscious awareness to how we process experiences and emotions. Clients are empowered to make a conscious choice of how to move forward, rather than reacting unconsciously in old, unhealthy patterns;

-Adlerian Therapy, which is a holistic, brief, psychoeducational approach to therapy focusing on client strengths and connectedness to others;

-Narrative Therapy, which uses the power of story to make changes in our own personal story;

-Art therapy, which is a wonderful way to process emotions, especially when talking about our traumatic experiences is difficult. Art therapy isn’t about being a great artist. It is about using the power of art to process our traumatic or difficult experiences;

-Play Therapy for children, adolescents, and families;

-Body-oriented therapies such as Reiki, which utilizes touch to access the healing properties present in our own bodies;

-and Equine Therapy, which uses the powerful presence of the horse to facilitate positive change.

Why did you choose to pursue this career path? I chose this career path because of my own life experiences. I understand first-hand how counseling can lead to positive, life-long changes in our mental health and overall wellbeing. It is my heartfelt goal to offer others the same gift of compassion, non-judgment, encouragement, and insight that I was fortunate to receive when I needed it the most. I truly believe we all have an inherent capacity to change for the better.

What is your education and career experience? I have an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Master’s of Science in Counseling from the University of Great Falls. My experience includes behavioral and in-home support services, case management, and counseling. I have previously worked in the non-profit sector in the mental health field and am now in private practice. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).

Lisa’s Advice on Mental Health

What advice do you have for someone trying to choose a therapist? I encourage anyone considering establishing a relationship with a mental health counselor to call and speak with a number of therapists, even request an introductory appointment with two or three therapists. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember, you are the boss of your own experience! Find a counselor you feel a connection with, a counselor who you can see yourself doing some really great work with. Find a counselor you can see yourself collaborating with successfully.

What advice do you have for those struggling with mental health issues in rural Montana? Please reach out. I know taking the first step can be intimidating and overwhelming, but make that call. Counselors are invested in helping you live your best life. A counselor can assist your family or yourself in many ways, often providing a pathway to access multiple community resources as well as mental health services. We all struggle at some point in our life, and having a neutral person to assist you in those times can bring an ease to the process that might be difficult to find otherwise. Asking for help takes tremendous strength, so give yourself credit for starting the process.

The Details

What is the best way to contact you? I can be reached at 406-535-5990. You can also email me at lisagilbert@midrivers.com. This is my work email, but please be aware I cannot guarantee total confidentiality due to the inherent nature of technology.

Do you have a website? I have a website that is under construction and will be updated frequently in the next few months: www.counselingassociatesmt.com.

Where are you located?

505 W Main Street, Suite 225

Lewistown, MT 59457

(Bank Electric Building)

Are you currently accepting new patients? Yes

Do you offer sliding fees? Yes

What types of insurance do you accept? I accept most, including Medicaid.

Connie Harvey, Central Montana Community Health Center

"I use a bio-psychosocial approach to assess the needs of the whole person, develop an intervention plan and make appropriate referrals as needed."

About Connie

What is your mental health philosophy? In my position as a behavioral health therapist at the Central Montana Community Health Center, we strive to provide patients with access to the integrated health care between medical providers and behavioral health. The focus is upon evidence based, trauma informed and patient-centered care. The CMCHC clinic uses a variety of inventories to screen for depression, anxiety, ACE scale, childhood behavior and trauma to assist in treatment planning. As a social worker, I am trained in the person-in-environment model consistent with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. I use a bio-psychosocial approach to assess the needs of the whole person, develop an intervention plan and make appropriate referrals as needed.

What are your areas of expertise? I have many years of working with adults, children, teenagers, the elderly and families in crisis due to issues related to family violence; divorce; grief and loss; child abuse and neglect; trauma; depression; anxiety; impact of substance use upon the family; mental illness; job loss; poverty and child behavioral concerns. I have been trained in a variety of intervention techniques and tend to use an eclectic approach. I have extensive training and experience in trauma, child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse and domestic violence.

What kinds of treatments do you use or specialize in? I have been fortunate to be able to attend specialized training in: childhood trauma assessment and intervention; PTSD and traumatic grief assessment and intervention; trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy; critical incident stress management; domestic and sexual violence advocacy training; domestic violence fatality review process; family violence and suicide prevention; forensic interviewing; comprehensive child sexual abuse intervention; crisis intervention; family reunification; treatment of: co-occurring disorders; personality disorders and adult protective services. I use a variety of interventions such as trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy; short-term solution focused; family therapy; crisis intervention; dialectical behavioral therapy; cognitive behavioral therapy; play therapy; psychodynamic therapy; grief and loss counseling; mindfulness and supportive therapy.

Why did you choose to pursue this career path? I selected social work as my major in college because it did not require taking math courses. My family has always had a strong commitment to assisting others in need. Both of my sisters as well as several cousins have all worked in social services settings.

What is your education and career experience? I have a Bachelors in Social Work and Sociology from University of Montana in Missoula. I attended the Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling at Montana State University-Billings, MT. I also have a Masters in Social Work from Walla Walla University-Billings, MT. I am currently licensed by the State of Montana as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). My career experience includes working as a counselor for a juvenile diversion program, as an Assistant Clinical Director for the day treatment program at the Eastern Montana Mental Health Center (Glendive), assisting adults with chronic mental illness; as an in-patient therapist in the substance abuse unit at Pine Crest Psychiatric Hospital (Idaho); as a Child Protection Worker/Supervisor for DPHHS-Child and Family Services working with abused and neglected children as well as Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian families (Hardin). I have also provided case management services for Medicaid Waiver program at Spectrum Home and Community Based Services (Lewistown). I was in private practice as a psychotherapist in Lewistown for four years. I am currently employed as a behavioral health therapist at CMCHC providing mental health care for kids ages 3 to 93. I am a member of the Montana Sexual Abuse Response Team; Tri-County Critical Incident Stress Management Team; Montana Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team; the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and National Association of Social Workers.

Connie’s Advice on Mental Health

What advice do you have for someone trying to choose a therapist? My best advice for someone seeking therapy is to find a qualified mental health professional they are comfortable with enough to establish a trusting relationship.

The Details

What is the best way to contact you? By phone: (406) 535-6545.

Where are you located?

Central Montana Community Health Center

406 1st Avenue South

Lewistown, MT 59457

Are you currently accepting new patients? Yes

What are your payment options? CMCHC is a federally funded facility that accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most major insurances companies and does offer a sliding scale for fee based upon family income.

Teresa Majerus

About Teresa

What is your mental health philosophy? I am a faith-based counselor. I pull my core beliefs from my spiritual background yet utilize various counseling theories to meet client needs.

What are your areas of expertise? I'm a full-time school counselor and licensed clinical private counselor. I am trained in EMDR trauma therapy and enjoy working with all ages. My specialty would be children and adolescents.

Why did you choose to pursue this career path? I chose counseling because I was working in special education and dealing with lots of student issues. I enjoyed that as much as teaching and decided to pursue School Counseling. I again enjoyed the aspect of counseling and decided to pick up my private license knowing that someday I will retire as a school counselor and fall back on private counseling as a way to keep helping others.

What is your education and career experience? My undergraduate degree is from Purdue University in special education and my Masters is from Montana State University Billings in School Counseling with a license in private practice.

Teresa’s Advice on Mental Health

What advice do you have for someone trying to choose a therapist? It is like trying on shoes; you have to explore and find someone that's a good fit for you!

What advice do you have for those struggling with mental health issues in rural Montana? Don't fall into the stigma that “I am too tough to go for counseling and that counseling is for the weak.” Counseling is as much education about yourself and emotions and how to apply those to life situations as it is about finding yourself.

The Details

What is the best way to contact you? Call 406-350-0016.

Do you have a website? No

Where are you located? Above Brooks Market in Lewistown.

Are you currently accepting new patients? Yes

What types of insurance do you accept? Because I only have a few clients I do not bill insurance and ask clients to pay up front. Therefore I do not have a sliding fee scale either. Someday I will be set up for billing insurance but not at this time.

Deanna Stevenson, Counseling Associates

About Deanna

What is your mental health philosophy? I offer short and long-term counseling with an emphasis on identifying and building on a client's personal strengths, teaching new skills, and providing psychoeducation as appropriate to support clients in overcoming barriers and promoting optimal health and wellness. Personal growth, reduction of distress, and increased ability to experience and regulate a full range of emotions are primary goals of therapy.

What are your areas of expertise? I offer individual, couples/family, and group counseling for children and adults seeking support in dealing with a range of issues including anxiety, trauma, interpersonal, and mood issues. Other areas of interest include bereavement, anger management, identity, and self-esteem. Counseling sessions have a general focus on enhancing overall wellness and life satisfaction.

What kinds of treatments do you use or specialize in? I utilize an eclectic approach to counseling based on assessment, collaboratively identified goals, and accepted/evidence-based therapeutic practices. My therapeutic emphasis includes but is not limited to the following: Experiential Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Play Therapy, Animal-Assisted Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR).

Why did you choose to pursue this career path? I always wanted a meaningful career and to me that meant doing something that helps people and leaves the world a little better than I found it. I developed an interest in Psychology in college and this interest grew into a passion for helping others with emotional and interpersonal issues through counseling. Once I discovered I could combine counseling with my passion for horses through equine-assisted therapy, there was no turning back. I feel very fortunate to have a career that I enjoy and am honored that my clients trust me to help them through their struggles.

What is your education and career experience? I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). I received my bachelor's degree in Psychology from Montana State University-Bozeman in 2007, and my master's degree in Health & Human Development-Mental Health Counseling in 2009. My master's program included a practicum and internship at the Human Development Clinic in Bozeman. Following graduation, I worked as a Program Therapist for the Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch (YBGR) residential treatment program in Billings, MT. In 2011, I transferred to a YBGR School-Based Therapist position in Lewistown. I became a Clinical Supervisor for YBGR's School & Community Programs in Lewistown and Roundup in 2013, and I began accepting private practice clients with Counseling Associates in January 2016.

Deanna’s Advice on Mental Health

What advice do you have for someone trying to choose a therapist? Finding the right therapist is an individualized and relationship-based process. First and foremost, an individual needs to feel comfortable with his or her therapist. The best therapist in the world for one person may not be a good fit for someone else. My advice to someone looking for a therapist would be to go to a session, ask plenty of questions, and share your goals for therapy openly. If you leave the session feeling like you and the therapist are on the same page and can work together toward your goals, make another appointment. If you leave the session feeling misunderstood, marginalized, or overwhelmed, it may not be a good fit.

What advice do you have for those struggling with mental health issues in rural Montana? Ask for help! If you don't have access to a counselor in your area share your problems and feelings with trusted family members and peers, religious leaders, medical providers, etc. These people can help provide the support and information needed to get you the care you need to feel better. Keep in mind that 1) you are not alone, and 2) talking to a mental health professional does not mean you are “crazy.” Everyone struggles at times and connecting with someone to work through difficult emotions and experiences helps us heal and grow as people. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, don't hesitate to reach out for help.

The Details

What is the best way to contact you? Call 406-535-5990.

Do you have a website? I have a website that is under construction and will be updated frequently in the next few months: www.counselingassociatesmt.com.

Where are you located?

505 W Main Street, Suite 225

Lewistown, MT 59457

(Bank Electric Building)

Are you currently accepting new patients? Yes

Do you offer sliding fees? Yes

What types of insurance do you accept? Blue Cross Blue Shield, Pacific Source, Medicaid, several Employee Assistance Programs, and Cigna/Magellan. Our office will try to work with whatever insurance providers we need to in order to get our clients the services they need.

Ty Bullard

About Ty

What is your mental health philosophy? My mental health philosophy leans towards learning that we have the power to control our behaviors and the ability to learn to improve our emotional and mental state of being. I believe everyone is on their own path and place in their emotional journey and it is my job to help those that are ready to identify their own abilities to improve their quality of life.

What are your areas of expertise? I feel I have an eclectic “area of expertise” because of my diverse experience and education. I have worked with youth, families, elderly and couples throughout my career helping build my knowledge of the mental health world. If I had to put myself into a category I would say I have a special place in my heart for kids and couples.

What kinds of treatments do you use or specialize in? I specialize in working with clients through Neurofeedback and Biofeedback to help the person physically see any possible deficiencies in the brain. With the use of technology, I can help persons improve their negative physical and mental health symptoms by learning to control the electrical currents in their brain.

Why did you choose to pursue this career path? I chose this career path as a result of my own past experiences and challenges. After gaining my undergraduate degree, I began working in the mental health field and found I was not only passionate about this work but I seemed to be good at it. I remember about three years into my work hearing from a past client from my first few months working. They told me I had made an impact in their life and they would remember my kindness; after that I was hooked.

What is your education and career experience? I completed my Bachelors of Arts in Social Work at Bethany College, WV in 2004. I began working in the mental health field in 2005 until current, working in all aspects of the profession. My early experience is with kids in residential facilities which led to case management work for families and youth. I went on to complete my Masters of Education in school counseling at Montana State University in Bozeman in 2009. Two years later, I chose to continue my schooling to complete the educational and supervised hours for the LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) license. I worked as a mental health counselor for two Montanan non-profit youth facilities until I opened my private practice in central Montana in 2015. After opening my practice, I discovered Neurofeedback technology. I again returned to school part-time and worked towards incorporating Neurofeedback into my repertoire. In 2017 I was able to purchase my private practice and become one of the very few practitioners in Montana to offer these services.

Ty’s Advice on Mental Health

What advice do you have for someone trying to choose a therapist? Finding a therapist is a very personal and sometimes challenging process. First off, a few questions to consider to help narrow down your options:

1) Determine who is “in network” for your insurance carrier.

2) Find out which therapists accept insurance or only take private pay; if they take private pay, find out if they have a sliding fee scale.

3) Some therapists specialize in specific diagnoses or ages, so asking what is their specialty is a good question.

4) It is also not uncommon to do some shopping. Therapists have different personalities and modalities of practice so some fit for some people and some do not. It is not unusual to meet with a few therapists to try them out before picking one that works for you.

What advice do you have for those struggling with mental health issues in rural Montana? I believe struggling with mental health issues in rural Montana is similar to struggling with mental health issues in a metropolitan area. The main challenge is related to the previous question in finding the right therapist to assist their needs. The other challenge could be location, which is a problem. However, through my case management experience prior to my private practice, I found there are multiple resources in rural areas even though it takes some investigating and support to find them.

The Details

What is the best way to contact you? The best way to contact me is via phone (406)589-4664 or e-mail tybullard21@yahoo.com (although this is a private e-mail address I cannot confirm its 100% confidentiality).

Do you have a website? I do have a website that is under construction and will be updated frequently in the next few months: www.counselingassociatesmt.com.

Where are you located? I am located in Lewistown three days a week on the second floor of the Bank Electric Building, Stanford one day a week in the back of the Trading Post, and Hobson one morning a week above Nancy’s Market.

Are you currently accepting new patients? Yes.

Do you offer sliding fees? I do offer a sliding fee scale; please inquire if you are interested.

What types of insurance do you accept? I accept most all insurances. I bill Medicare and TRICARE; however, I am not able to be categorized as “in network.”

Note: Peggy Albee and Monica Braulick were unable to participate in these interviews.

If you need help now, please use one of the following tools:

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Suicide Lifeline Chat: http://chat.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx

Crisis Text Line: Text Connect to 741741 (https://www.crisistextline.org/)

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