Family therapy and counseling in Missoula, MT

If you’re carrying trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, or a difficult life transition, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I work with veterans, first responders, students, children, and adults facing complex challenges, and as someone shaped by my own path, I bring a deep respect for resilience, healing, and the real courage it takes to ask for support.

Welcome - I am so happy you're here. I graduated with my Masters degree in Clinical Social Work from The College of St. Scholastica in 2019 and have been working in the mental health field for 7 years. Whether you're navigating stress, relationships, or personal growth, my goal is to ensure you feel seen and empowered. My role is to walk alongside you as you discover new perspectives, strengths, and possibilities.

I have been a social worker of over 20 years and have worked will most population including elderly, hospice, disabilities and children. I have studied significantly Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I have empathy for all individuals and like to assist individuals in developing health and wellness.

Whether you're navigating a difficult season or seeking long-term support, I’m here to walk alongside you with empathy, insight, and unwavering care.

As a mother of five, I understand the complexities of life, relationships, and emotional resilience. I became a therapist to help others feel less alone and to guide those struggling with mental illness toward hope and healing. I’m passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health and helping people reclaim their voice, strength, and sense of self. With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, I’ve had the privilege of working with children, teens, and adults across a wide range of challenges — including anxiety, trauma, and depression.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in Minnesota and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Montana, with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

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.

Let's work together and help you find your direction. My counseling style is highly consultative and coaching-like. It is typically non-directive, as I believe each client pilot's their own ship, but when the situation warrants, there is plenty of idea sharing and strategizing as well.

I have been practicing for 21 years and work with clients of all ages and various backgrounds. I believe that with a strong therapeutic alliance, we can mutually come together and help you find a path forward that suits you.

I'm looking forward to coming alongside and walking with you as your mental health journey unfolds. In 2023 I completed my doctoral training as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. I earned my board certification in the fall of that same year. Since then I've had opportunities to work with clients from diverse backgrounds with a wide variety of mental health needs. Whether you're looking for help with ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, or sleep issues I'm confident that, working together, we can create positive change in your life.

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 have spent 20 years in nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and the living rooms of families trying to figure out what comes next for someone they love. I know what it feels like to sit with serious illness and loss, and I know how to be present with it without flinching. I am direct and warm, and I will not waste your time. I work best with people who are ready to be honest about what is hard, even if they are not sure yet how to say it.

I earned a Masters degree from Northwest Nazarene University in clinical counseling in 2014. I am currently licensed in the state of Idaho and Montana. I have been licensed for many years and participated in many trainings for clinical practice including but not limited to Christian counseling, Rogerian therapy, trauma therapy, grief/loss, addiction (Social media, gambling, sexual, food, etc.), anxiety (general and specific), personality disorders, depression, relationship challenges, neuroscience, adoption and/or attachment, equine therapy, play therapy, family therapy and experiential therapy. I have been a TBRI® Practitioner since 2015 and TBRI® Educator since 2017 working with families with kids from hard places. I am trained in clinical supervision and clinical ethics as well. I am trained in the use of neurofeedback equipment including brain mapping and brain training sessions since 2021, and have been Board Certified through BCIA since 2025. Please visit my personalized website at www.mountainhavenpathways.com

I am a seasoned therapist of 30 years, and I learn something new with each individual I connect with. My goal is to address the issues of life we all face with grace, compassion and a little humor. I might not know all the answers... but together we will develop strategies to make a better life.

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.

It isn't easy navigating our complex our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, especially in our chaotic world. Whether it be anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses; life transitions; chronic illness; caring for a terminally ill loved one; or other issue affecting your life, I am here to help. My name is Barbara. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Helena. I have spent the last 25 years supporting children, adults, the elderly, couples, and families through therapy, care coordination, and counseling to meet their treatment goals. So, let's get started and contact me for a 15-minute consult or to schedule an appointment.