Couples therapists in Montana

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.

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 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.

Are you carrying the weight of trauma and PTSD and hoping to feel safer, more connected, and understood? I specialize in supporting Veterans, first responders, and individuals and couples navigating trauma, PTSD, and the impact these experiences can have on daily life and relationships. With 18 years in a VA PTSD clinic, I bring experience, compassion, and a collaborative approach to helping you move toward healing and a better quality of life.

Life often throws us into unpredictable, high-stress environments—and navigating those challenges can feel like an intense journey of its own. If you are feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or carrying the weight of trauma, you don't have to navigate the trail alone.

I specialize in working with individuals who operate in high-stress, high-consequence roles—including military service members, veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals. Whether you are dealing with critical incident stress, chronic burnout, or complex trauma, I provide a grounded, practical space tailored to the unique culture and demands of your work.

My approach is deeply informed by years of hands-on experience in high-stakes settings. After starting my career as a Wilderness EMT in 2016 and enlisting in the Army National Guard in 2018, I earned my Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Utah State University. Since then, I’ve served as a Behavioral Health Officer in the National Guard and worked across emergency departments, crisis and disaster response, public education, and outpatient mental health.

Using evidence-based, trauma-informed therapies, my goal is to help you process difficult experiences, build sustainable resilience, and regain a sense of balance. Outside of the clinic, you’ll find me teaching CPR and Wilderness First Aid, spending time with my family, and finding adventure outdoors—a mindset I bring into therapy as we work together to help you thrive, no matter what environment you're navigating.

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 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 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 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 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.