Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Billings, MT

You have probably been managing this longer than you let on, to yourself or to the people around you.

I work with people across every stage of life, from children and teenagers to adults and seniors, and I have been doing this work long enough to know that no two people carry things the same way. Whether you are navigating anxiety, processing something painful from your past, managing shifts in mood, or simply trying to figure out who you want to become, I want to help you get there. My goal is to help you find the version of yourself that you actually want to be.

I’ve worked in addiction counseling, treatment courts, and child protection—which means I’ve seen a lot, learned a lot, and developed a deep respect for the resilience people carry. I also happen to live with ADHD, so I have a soft spot for brains that zig when others zag. Whether you’re neurotypical or proudly outside-the-box, I love helping people untangle the messiness of life and find what works for them.

I am a dedicated practitioner focused on providing evidence-based, compassionate care. My professional journey is rooted in a deep commitment to understanding human behavior and fostering meaningful growth.

I love the outdoors, my family, pets, books, and art/theater/dance. I have a passion for validating and encouraging individuals. I look forward to walking along side you on your therapy journey.

I believe healing happens within a safe, genuine, and supportive relationship. My goal is to create a space where you feel accepted without judgment and free to show up exactly as you are.

Clients often describe me as warm, compassionate, and thoughtful. I combine empathy with practical, evidence-based strategies to help you better understand what you’re experiencing while also building tools you can use in your daily life.

As a therapist who primarily works with women, I understand how often women carry significant responsibilities while caring for others. Therapy is a space to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and receive the same compassion and care you so readily give to those around you. You don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone—I’m honored to support you on your journey.

Hello, I'm Valerie!

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Montana and Ohio with a decade of experience in the mental health field, I am passionate about helping people reconnect with their authentic selves.

​I founded Wild Living Therapy not only because of my deep love for wildlife and nature but also because I believe we all carry untamed, misunderstood aspects of ourselves—parts that may feel "too wild" or difficult to accept. My goal is to create a space where you can honor these parts, step into your power, and recognize your worth.

You're not broken—you are whole. Let’s navigate this journey together.

Having worked in community care settings, the school setting, and in private practice, my strengths are working with teenagers, individuals, adults, families, and couples experiencing challenges in relationships and connection. With 15 years of counseling experience, I offer a depth of compassion, wisdom, and appreciation for the difficulties that we all face in life. I expect my clients to engage in therapy with intent and the expectation that they will gain the skills and strategies to empower themselves to live their best lives.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving women in Montana and Florida through my private practice, Heart Development Strategies, LLC. I earned my Master of Social Work from Western New Mexico University and hold a graduate certificate in Rural Community Social Work. I am trained in EMDR, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, Internal Family Systems, and strengths-based, person-centered approaches.

I specialize in working with emotionally and mentally exhausted women navigating anxiety, burnout, compassion fatigue, trauma, and major life transitions. Many of the women I work with are leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and caregivers who have spent years holding everything together while quietly losing touch with themselves. Women often come to me because they want someone real, warm, honest, and straightforward. I am not here to impress you or give you a script to follow. I meet you where you are with truth, compassion, and practical support.

Please note, outside of Headway insurance I also accept Mountain Health Co-Op, Peak PPO.

I was born and raised in Montana and have a genuine passion for nature and the outdoors. I received my Bachelors in Psychology at Montana State University in 2001. I then pursued my Masters of Social Work degree and graduated in 2008 from the University of Montana. This graduate program had a focus on providing a social justice and integrated practitioner perspective. I have an eclectic style that can be tailored to each unique individual. My primary therapeutic methods include Mindfulness Based, Holistic, Exposure, Narrative, Cognitive and Behavioral, Strengths Based & Solution Focused Therapies. I provide a non-judgmental and compassionate environment that often helps people feel comfortable. A true passion of mine is structuring therapeutic activities for clients to express, process, increase self-awareness, and de-stress from life’s challenging and developmental experiences.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing specialized, Mental Health care, and private Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment to individuals across Montana, specifically in our rural and frontier communities.

I understand that living in rural Montana often means traveling hours for care. My mission is to bring high-quality, evidence-based medication management directly to your home via secure telehealth. I believe in treating the whole person, including underlying anxiety or trauma.

I enjoy learning about ways we can change and understand our human existence. We are thinking, feeling and doing beings. Cognitive behavioral therapy provides a framework to identify ways to do it differently and better. Trauma treatment modalities like EMDR may support processing neurological and physiological reactions and being able to feel secure and safe while staying connected to others more fully. Our story is just that; we write it and edit it. We get to choose the chapters and path of our lives, through the unknowns, mysteries and celebrations.