Welcome to a new adventure! You are taking the next positive step on your journey. That's how it works, you take one healthy step at a time… and eventually you find yourself closer and closer to where you want to be. You begin to connect more with your strengths and gifts and finally you start to feel more at peace. I look forward to starting this journey with you. It is not always an easy journey, but it is one worth taking and you never have to go it alone. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Montana. I received an Associate of Arts degree with distinction at Casper College in Wyoming, a Bachelor of Arts degree with honor at the University of Wyoming in 1995, and a Master of Science degree with honors in Community Counseling at Montana State University/Billings in 2004 . I love empowering my clients using various therapeutic and cognitive behavioral approaches. I have extensive experience working with individuals struggling with mental health, addiction, and co-occurring disorders. I have worked in the counseling field for over 20 years. I have worked in an inpatient treatment facility for almost 8 years as well as residential and outpatient centers. I enjoy working with adults, couples, families, youth, and have facilitated crisis mediations as well as individual, group and family therapy. I have addressed issues related to self- esteem, parenting, addiction, tobacco cessation, family dynamics, codependency, anger management, depression, anxiety, and trauma utilizing evidenced-based strategies including effective communication skills, self-compassion, meditation, mindfulness, relationship building skills, forgiveness, and conflict resolution. I have created several original materials to assist in the therapeutic process and to best fit my client’s needs. I utilize a solution focused approach building from a person’s strengths and utilizing a variety of value-based techniques to assist my clients in achieving a healthier and more fulfilled life. I am certified in Problem Solving Treatment and have taught various parenting classes including Love and Logic. I love the outdoors i.e. camping, hiking, taking my dog on an adventure and just soaking it all in. I have two wonderful adult sons and 4 beautiful grandchildren. I enjoy photography and I have started a few new hobbies with metal forging/blacksmithing, jewelry/beading, and painting. I am available for sessions most days (usually not Saturdays) and also upon request as my schedule allows. You can chose your preference for Video Sessions, Live (message) Chats, or Phone Sessions. If you need a session on the same day, let me know and I will put you on the cancellation list or I will try to fit you in a slot. Don't hesitate to ask and I will do my best to accommodate if at all possible at the available time. In the meantime, feel free to message anytime 24/7. Basically, it is what you are most comfortable with and at your own pace. I generally can respond at least once per morning and once per evening, sometimes more! You are also welcome to try the journal feature, and can keep the entries private for your own use or you can choose to share any entry with me that you feel comfortable sharing and you can change or delete what you want to share at anytime. Please remember that BetterHelp is not appropriate if you are in crisis or in immediate need of support. In crisis situations, please call 911 or local emergency services. You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to someone right away or for a Crisis Text Line text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis.

I am currently a licensed Counselor in Montana specializing in mental health issues along with issues dealing with substance abuse and addictions. I have a private practice where I offer services to adults, adolescents, children, and families. I also work as a clinical director in a Department of Corrections setting providing substance abuse and mental health treatment for individuals with Felony DUI's. My expertise is in working with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and also in helping children deal with trauma. While I work in the corrections setting during the day, I have a private practice, where I work with families, couples, individuals including adults, teens and children. Living in rural Montana, I enjoy working with a wide variety of clients with various mental health concerns. My counseling style is empathetic in nature. I begin by getting to know my client and what will work best for them. The most frequent orientations that I utilize include cognitive-behavioral therapy, person centered, family systems, and mindfulness. I use an eclectic array of techniques that will be determined with the client and then utilized to develop a treatment plan unique to the client's concerns. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and provide EMDR to clients that it is appropriate with through evaluation. Counseling is a process that can be very beneficial to help address various aspects of a person's life. I look forward to building a therapeutic relationship where we can work together to meet your needs. A little bit about me outside of Betterhelp. I enjoy being a grandmother to 3 grandchildren (and 1 on the way) and spending as much time with them as I can. I also am an avid traveler and have goals to visit as many countries as I can in the future. I enjoy planning my travels as much as I do the traveling part, so I am always planning for some future trip. If I can be outside, hiking and enjoying nature, I am, one of the many blessings of living in Montana.

Hi, I'm ShirIey, I am a 63 year old Native American Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have over 20 years experience in the mental health field. I have worked in community mental health and I have worked in Tribal Behavioral Health. In both of these agencies I have worked as a crisis on-call therapist on rotation as well as seeing clients in office. Currently, I operate from a private practice which I established in 2013. Although I have spent a great deal of time living and working on the reservation, I have lived in many other cultures and I truly appreciate diversity. I have always been a very curious person so Social Work has been a great outlet for me to explore populations, cultures, and behaviors. I obtained a Bachelor Degree in 1998 in Human Services Rehabilitation from Salish Kootenai College on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Pablo, MT. I have a Masters in Social Work from Walla Walla University in Missoula, MT in 2004. Once I received my MSW, I practiced for three thousand supervised clinical hours before I was able to sit for my clinical license exam. I have worked with diverse cultures and populations. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) which has proven beneficial in the treatment of PTSD (Post- traumatic Stress) and other adverse/disturbing experiences. What disturbs or traumatizes us is unique to the individual. I prefer to spend time with each new client building a rapport and an alliance of trust and safety. I like to develop a plan of treatment that is tailored to the unique individual and with full collaboration. I am a firm believer in the healing process of telling one's own story and areas an individual would like to examine since they are best at knowing the parts of self they believe need to be examined to help them to progress and grow in their desired direction. I look forward to exploring with you!

As a licensed therapist with extensive experience serving individuals across Montana, I specialize in supporting adults through life's complex transitions and emotional challenges. My professional background includes comprehensive work with veterans, focusing on their unique mental health needs and helping them navigate post-service adjustments. My therapeutic approach centers on addressing depression, anxiety, stress management, and personal growth. I bring a compassionate, direct style that honors each individual's experiences and strengths. Whether you're struggling with self-esteem, parenting challenges, or adapting to significant life changes, I'm committed to providing thoughtful, personalized support. With decades of clinical experience, I understand the nuanced emotional landscapes individuals traverse. My goal is to create a supportive environment where you can explore your concerns, develop resilient coping strategies, and move toward meaningful personal transformation.

I offer a variety of counseling services through my counseling practice. Each is designed to help you live a more fulfilling, engaging and intentional life. Alongside talk therapy, I offer Art Therapy and Equine Assisted Mental Health as an invitation to the many healing benefits of cultivating creativity, horses, nature, movement and touch. In my therapeutic practice, I integrate art therapy and equine assisted psychotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy. The client can tell their story through the process of art making and the horse as a way to explore their own life as a daring journey; to embody new sources of strength, creativity and renewal. Which approach is right for you? Cognitive therapy adds another dimension – the Here and Now – and therefore can spur change in a timely fashion. Cognitive therapy examines how an individual perceives and interprets meaning in his/her daily life. It was originally designed to treat depression, but is now used for a number of mental disorders. It works to solve current problems and change unhelpful thinking and behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy mixed with Art therapy and Equine Assisted therapy works well in this situation; it develops a new, healthy view of past and current life situations. It takes a great deal of humility for any of us to acknowledge that we are in some way stuck or unhappy, whether this is due to a problematic situation, a stagnant or conflictual relationship, or a self-defeating way of approaching things. It takes courage to open one’s self to explore the underlying beliefs and emotions that perpetuate these issues. Therapy can provide fresh insight and objectivity about these beliefs and emotions, allowing you to develop new ways of approaching the situations or patterns that are troubling you. My role as a therapist is to provide psychological perspective, to facilitate a productive inquiry about your concerns, and to help you develop new skills so that you can make vital changes in your life. Through one-on-one meetings, you can come to see yourself, your obstacles and your opportunities more clearly – and make decisions that bring you closer to the person you want to be and the life you want to live.

At some point in our life, we all face the unexpected, whether it be the loss of someone important, a job, financial struggles, pain and sickness, or any of the other things life throws our way. It is helpful to have someone to talk to and offer a listening ear and perhaps some different perspective during those times. I hope to provide those things to my clients, as well as utilizing my experience and training to help others through the tough times. 2 Corinthians 1:4 I tend to be client centered, meeting clients where they are and help them reach where they want to go.

I have worked as a therapist for about 30 years==with a private company, with a Job Corps, and with a mental health center in my community My approach with any client is eclectic and responsive to a client's needs. I have dealt with a range of clients (from teenagers and young adults at the Job Corps), to adults dealing with childhood trauma, relationship issues, abuse, addiction issues, mental health disorders, lifestyle concerns--and have been blessed by some clients telling me I have saved their lives! Acceptance of one's life situation, and understanding the need to change or make different choices and the courage to do so are what I can assist with. Look forward to assisting those who are seeking help.

As a licensed therapist in Montana, I bring nearly two decades of compassionate clinical experience supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on creating affirming, supportive spaces for clients navigating social anxiety, trauma recovery, and life transitions. I specialize in working with LGBTQ+ communities, veterans, and older adults, offering trauma-informed care that honors each person's unique journey. My approach integrates evidence-based practices to help clients develop resilience, process challenging experiences, and cultivate meaningful personal growth. With expertise in addressing stress, anxiety, addiction, and trauma, I'm committed to walking alongside my clients with empathy, respect, and genuine understanding. My goal is to empower individuals to discover their inner strengths and create positive, sustainable change.

I am licensed in Montana with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Iowa with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Struggling with identifying why you have the thought patterns, reoccurring thoughts, interpersonal relations and experiences that you do? Seeking light in the darkness of your mind can be a discouraging and intimidating journey. However, you don't have to travel along this journey alone! I will assist you in exploring the "why" regarding your personal experiences and how your early childhood experiences play a role. Through a holistic approach I focus on what makes you, YOU! I am inquisitive and enjoy knowing the "why", therefore I often find myself using shadow work to help clients better understand hidden parts of their inner person, wounded child, etc. that may be hindering them from achieving their goals and struggling to reach contentment within their lives. If you'd like to venture into the depths of your mind and explore your shadow self and how it affects your light self, I would love to travel along this venture with you and assist in shining light wherever darkness may be!

Ben grew up in Montana, where he took full advantage of the fresh air, mountains, and outdoor activities. He loved school and sports, and he played high school basketball, as well as American Legion and college baseball as a starting pitcher. Ben moved to Illinois to pursue his graduate degree at Northern Illinois University. It was during his training at NIU that he first discovered his passion for working with people struggling with OCD and Anxiety-related disorders. He subsequently devoted his career to becoming an expert in the application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention as means for helping individuals get their lives back from these debilitating problem areas. Ben also treats co-occurring conditions such as depression, and tics/Tourette's. Ben is a member of the International OCD Foundation, and The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors. He has completed advanced training through both the General and Pediatric installments of the IOCDF’s Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, and TLC’s Professional Training Institute. Ben places high value on making sure he is providing the most up-to-date treatments available. He is skilled in adapting his treatment methods to each individual who seeks help from him. Ben's attention to detail, creativity, and sense of humor help ensure that his patients are engaged in treatment and experience the results they are seeking.

Hi, I’m Kurt Ruffley, founder of RuffStuff Counseling PLLC. I specialize in providing accessible, trauma-informed therapy for veterans, children, and underserved communities. With a background in both military service and education, I bring a grounded, compassionate approach to counseling that honors resilience and fosters growth. My practice integrates telehealth convenience with occasional in-person sessions in Montana’s Flathead Valley, and remote access to rural Montana ensuring flexibility and connection. At RuffStuff Counseling, I focus on creating a seamless client experience—from secure HIPAA-compliant intake to personalized care planning. I incorporate mindfulness-based approaches to help clients build emotional awareness, reduce stress, and reconnect with their inner strength. Whether you're navigating life transitions, anxiety, grief, or identity development, I’m here to walk alongside you with purpose and authenticity. I’m deeply committed to community outreach, with a focus on supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans reintegrating into civilian life, and children and young adults with disabilities and trauma experiences. My work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to compassionate, effective mental health care—no matter their circumstances. If you’re ready to take the next step toward healing and growth, I’d be honored to support you. Feel free to reach out or schedule a session—I look forward to connecting with you.

Welcome to where I believe in a collaborative and empowering approach to healing. As a licensed clinical professional counselor and retired Army veteran, I understand the unique challenges you may face, including trauma. I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a proven method that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. At Straight Forward Therapy, we'll work together to understand your concerns, develop effective coping strategies for stress and anxiety, and improve your overall emotional well-being. I'll provide a safe and supportive space for you to explore your challenges, build resilience, and navigate life's transitions. It's okay to not be okay. I'm here to support you on your journey towards healing and a more fulfilling life.