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Areas of Counseling

I believe learning Cognitive Behavior Therapy should be an enjoyable, comprehensive, collaborative, and a supportive experience that fits easily into the life of busy people. My primary areas of counseling include the following:
CBT for Chronic Pain - Areas of Counseling

CBT for Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain is defined as: Pain that is often (but not always) elicited by an injury but worsened by factors removed from the original cause, usually lasts a long time, interferes with daily function, and is not explained by underlying pathology. Biomedical intervention is frequently sought and rarely effective (Turk & Okifuji, 2010).

I offer an 11 week program (initial session plus the 10 week program) that gives each person a personal “skills toolbox” to help with pain self-management. We, together, look at your goals for life, and your goals for living despite the pain; how stress and pain are related; how negative thoughts can increase pain; and how to use assertive communication to get your wants and needs met. I also teach several different relaxation methods, which I can record so you can continue to listen to and complete on your own at home.

CBT for Depression

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is characterized by a depressed mood, which can be experienced as feeling sad, empty, or hopeless, or a loss of interest or pleasure.

I start by educating people about their diagnosis and about CBT, help people set treatment goals, and teach essential thinking and behavioral skills. CBT interventions for depression generally focus on helping people become more engaged in activities that they value and have given up since becoming depressed. Treatment also involves helping people evaluate negative beliefs about themselves, the world, and the future that lead to them feel depressed. Cognitive behavior therapy for depression will:

Help you understand the cognitive conceptualization diagram

Teach you skills to prevent relapse

CBT For Depression - Areas of Counseling
Treat Anxiety - Areas of Counseling

CBT for Anxiety

CBT Therapy helps to identify, evaluate, and respond to automatic thoughts and beliefs related to symptoms of anxiety.

You will learn how to use evidence-based cognitive and behavioral strategies to help identify and respond to anxious thoughts and beliefs, restructure misinterpretations, eliminate safety behaviors, increase tolerance for uncertainty, and reduce obsessions, compulsions, and avoidance. CBT For Anxiety helps with:

Generalized anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder

Panic disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

CBT for Weight Loss and Maintenance

A person doesn’t lose weight and keep it off long term simply by cutting calories and increasing exercise. What’s the Solution? You have to learn to diet.

Weight loss can be easy at first, but continuing to lose weight after several weeks/months or keeping off the weight you lose can be very difficult. Why? You need to learn how to lose weight. How to motivate yourself day after day. How to get back on track when you make a mistake. You need a plan. Success will not be determined only by protein, carbs, or fiber. Using CBT principles for weight loss, you will learn how to stick to your diet plan even when you don't feel like it. Insurance is not accepted for this program. The program consists of 10 sessions either on a weekly and bi-weekly basis for a total cost of $800. We will be using the Beck Diet Solution, The Diet Trap Solution and Beck Diet for Life Books and Workbooks. Cognitive Behavior Therapy for weight loss will help you with a step-by-step learning process on:

How to motivate yourself and stay on track

Build your sense of self-efficacy

Use good eating habits

Overcome feelings of discouragement and deprivation

CBT For Weight Loss - Areas of Counseling

Other areas of counseling:

Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Co-Dependence, Family Issues, Grief/Loss, Divorce/Blended Family Issues, Men/Women Issues, Mood Disorders, Postpartum Issues, Pain Management, Stress

Insurance Acceptance

I accept the following insurance providers for mental health counseling:
  • Allegiance
  • Americas Choice Provider Network
  • Banner Health System
  • Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Montana (FEP, Healthy MT Kids, HELP, Managed Care, Traditional)
  • New West Medicare Advantage
  • Pacific Source
  • Preferred One
  • First Choice of Midwest
  • Humana – Commercial Choice Care “Alpine Air"
  • Majoris
  • Pacific Steel & Recycling
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  • Three Rivers Providers Network
  • EBMS (City of Billings)
  • First Health Coventry
  • Fortified Provider Network
  • Community Health Network
  • FedMed Network
  • First Choice Health, Big Sky Region
  • Interwest (PPO, Work-Comp)
  • Montana Health Co-op
  • Pacific Source
  • Preferred One
  • United Behavioral Healthcare
Top Call Now! (406) 894-2200