Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Missoula, MT

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my goal is simple: to provide compassionate care and help build a life that feels more like you.

I’m Zara Hanson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for helping people reconnect with themselves, heal from the inside out, and show up more fully in their relationships.

My interest in mental health started early, rooted in a curiosity about human behavior and a desire to help others feel less alone in their struggles. I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Research Psychology, followed by a Master’s in Clinical Social Work with a focus on both direct therapy and systems-level care. Over the years, I’ve worked across a range of settings—from community mental health to private practice—supporting individuals, couples, and families navigating complex emotional terrain.

My practice focuses on trauma, neurodivergence (including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder), substance use, mood disorders, relationship conflict, and emotional dysregulation. I’m especially drawn to working with clients who want to make sense of their story, process unresolved experiences, and find a more grounded, authentic way of being. I also work with couples to deepen connection, repair trust, and build more effective communication.

Therapy with me is relational, honest, and insight-driven. I aim to meet you exactly where you are, while gently encouraging growth, curiosity, and self-compassion along the way.

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 earned a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling at The University of Great Falls in Montana. Simultaneously, I pursued credentials for a License in Addiction Counseling. Understanding the all-too-common relationship between menal illness, aspects of addiction, and trauma is imperative to helping people in our society. I am also certified in E.M.D.R. Therapy, found to be highly effective treating P.T.S.D. I have applied all of these techniques to various mental health issues and demographic populations.

In Montana, winter presents some of the greatest outdoor activities; hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and splitting firewood. Technically, fire wood is not a recreational activity but there is something spiritual between a man and his chainsaw.

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 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.

My patients can expect me to be warm, empathetic, and genuinely interested in their story. I take time to understand not just current struggles, but also personal history and experiences that have shaped who they are. I believe that mental health is deeply connected to overall health, and treating psychiatric conditions can positively impact all areas of life. I work with all patients and conditions, and I always meet people where they are. If someone isn’t ready for medications, I fully support their choice and will be there to provide guidance, education, and care until the time feels right for them. Above all, I listen, I value each person’s perspective, and I aim to create a safe space where patients feel truly heard.

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.

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.