The Montana CBT Conference is a must-attend event for mental health providers in Montana and surrounding states! This 4rd year of the annual conference will feature expert speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. Whether you are a practicing clinician or student, the Montana CBT Conference is the perfect opportunity to deepen your knowledge and skills in evidence-based psychotherapy, while hanging out in person with colleagues! See all the details on agenda, speakers, hotel. and CE information below.

Agenda and Workshop Descriptions

Day 1: Thursday, October 3

8:00-8:30: Check in (Light breakfast items will be available)

8:30-10:00: Conference Opening and Keynote (1.5 CE Hours)
Keynote: "Sleep on It: Connections between Sleep and Psychological Health"

Speaker: Cara Palmer, Ph.D.
Montana State University, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Director of the Sleep and Development Lab
Description: Sleep disturbances contribute to the development, maintenance, and exacerbation of mental health difficulties including depression, anxiety, and suicidality. This presentation will address the basics of what constitutes “healthy sleep,” and will include a discussion of common barriers to obtaining healthy sleep in both pediatric and adult populations. This presentation will also include discussions of scientific research on the connections between common problematic sleep patterns and various aspects of emotional, social, and cognitive daytime functioning that increase risk for mental health difficulties.

10:15-12:00 - Workshop 1: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Speaker: Kyrie Russ, MS, LCPC
Owner/Therapist/Trainer, Mount Helena Counseling PLLC
Description: CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold standard treatment for insomnia, and a body of research suggests it is more effective in the long term than sleep medications. Many of our clients struggle with insomnia, either as a primary diagnosis or secondary to issues like depression and anxiety. As discussed in keynote, lack of quality sleep is a contributing factor to both physical and emotional concerns. This workshop will present attendees with an overview of the research behind CBT-I and discuss the delivery of components of CBT-I, to include insomnia assessment, psychoeducation on sleep hygiene, stimulus control, sleep restriction therapy, and cognitive restructuring.

12:00-1:15 - Lunch Break (on your own)

1:15-3:15 - Continue with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (3.75 Total CE Hours)

3:30-5:00 - Workshop 2: Working with Chronic Illness in Therapy: Navigating Grief, Finding Acceptance, and Living Committedly (1.5 CE Hours)

Speaker: Anna Rolando, LCSW
Therapist/ Private Practice Owner
Description: This session will outline an approach to working with psychotherapy clients who present with one or more chronic illnesses. Helping clients first identify, acknowledge and integrate the grief they may experience when living with a chronic illness sets the stage for therapists to then utilize evidenced-based practices such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT provides an excellent framework to help clients with chronic illnesses move more fully into their lives and find meaning, purpose, and connection. By the end of the session, participants will have gained a better understanding of the unique challenges facing their clients with chronic illnesses and will be able to identify and put into practice ACT-based tools that are appropriate and helpful when working with these clients.

5:00 - Adjourn (6.75 Total CE Hours on Day 1)

Day 2: Friday, October 4

8:00-8:30: Check in (Light breakfast items will be available)

8:30-10:30 - Workshop 3: Complexities in Assessing and Treating Neurodevelopmental disorders from a CBT Framework (2 CE Hours)

Speaker: Hannah Nixon, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist / Owner of Big River Psychology
Description: Research suggests that our neurodevelopmental disorders (ie. ADHD, ASD, intellectual disabilities, language disorders, tic disorders) tend to respond best to more behaviorally driven interventions. While the individual may be seeking treatment for other mental health conditions, increased knowledge about a patient’s neurodevelopmental disorder can help inform treatment interventions. Understanding the connections between brain abnormalities, behaviors, and corresponding evidenced-based treatments can help clinicians better explain treatment rational and subsequently gain treatment buy in from their patients. Additionally, there are adaptations worthwhile considering for various neurodevelopmental disorders (in children and adults).

10:45-12:15 - Workshop 4: Mindful Money: A Journey to Financial Wellness (1.5 CE Hours)

Speaker: Stacy Peterson, LCPC
Therapist / Owner of Riverbend Financial Therapy & Consulting
Description: Therapists commonly encounter clients who are experiencing financial challenges that may result from or interact with their mental health difficulties. Therapists themselves may also hold beliefs about money that create professional or practice-related challenges. Financial therapy utilizes a CBT framework to assist clients in exploring cognitions about finances, familial/background factors, as well as shame and trauma responses, all of which impact habits and behaviors. Participants will learn through experiential methods, in order to prepare to assist clients in gaining confidence and removing shame in order to live at peace with money instead of feeling trapped by it.
(Note: financial therapy is a therapeutic exploration and is not financial advising).

12:15-1:30: Lunch Break (on your own)

1:30-3:15 - Workshop 5: Attachment Informed CBT (1.75 CE Hours)

Speaker: Theresa O'Keefe, LCSW
Therapist, Missoula Therapy / Owner of T.O'K Therapy
Description: Cognitive behavioral therapy is often credited for its utility as a hands-on, outcome orientated, and practical strategy in clinical settings. However, its pragmaticism can overshadow the root causes of each individual’s source of suffering - deeply ingrained fears of abandonment, rejection and a lack of safety. This is where Attachment Theory steps in. If we combine the practical principles of CBT with the emotional and relational foundation of attachment science, we can aid client’s ability to challenge cognitive distortions, empower their sense of self, and create corrective experiences. The result? Clients who are better able to self-reflect, identify their emotions and attachment needs, and facilitate more secure relationships with themselves and others. This workshop will provide clinicians with a foundation in attachment theory and provide guidance on how to integrate it with CBT from a grassroots perspective

3:15-3:30 - Conference Closing & Evaluation; Adjourn (5.25 Total CE Hours on Day 2)

CE Information

12 CE hours for both days of conference. Participants must sign in and out each day to document attendance.

Mount Helena Counseling, PLLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7345. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Mount Helena Counseling, PLLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Participants living outside of Montana are responsible for verifying that their state licensing board accepts NBCC approved courses. Participants will receive a certificate of completion which documents date, name, title , trainer, and hours earned. Content meets criteria for CE requirements in the state of Montana for LCPC/LCSW/LAC/LMFT. Check with your state licensure board rules for specific requirements.

**This is a LIVE-ONLY, in-person training. There will not be a recording available.

Hotel Information

The conference will be held at the Delta Hotel Helena Colonial. A discounted room rate of $189 is available through the conference block rate. (Please note, you must enter the exact dates into the booking window for the room availability to appear). You may also call the hotel directly and ask for the Montana CBT Conference block rate. Phone: 406-443-2100. You must book by 9/17/24 to receive the block rate. Click here to book group rate.

Fairfield Inn and Suites is an alternative lodging option that is a short walk away from the conference hotel. Check here for rates.

Speakers

Kyrie Russ, MS, LCPC - Conference Organizer and Trainer / Mount Helena Counseling, PLLC
Practice website: www.mounthelenacounseling.com
Blog/training newsletter: https://montanamentalhealthtraining.substack.com/
Podcast: Practical Psych

Kyrie Russ is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Montana and the owner of Mount Helena Counseling, PLLC, an NBCC approved continuing education provider. Her practice focuses on providing evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in its multitude of applications, Exposure with Response Prevention, Inference-Based CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Metacognitive Therapy. Her clinical practice predominately serves clients with OCD, Anxiety and Phobias, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, and disordered eating. Kyrie is a native Montanan who is passionate about ensuring that clients in rural areas have access to high quality mental health services. She expanded her practice into training and consultation and founded the Montana CBT Conference, as she has noticed gaps in educational opportunities for behavioral health providers in rural areas. She offers trainings throughout the year to state and national audiences, as well as individual and small group case consultation programs related to treating OCD, eating disorders, and basically anything related to CBT! She additionally provides consultation related to the business of private practice. Prior to private practice, Kyrie was the Associate Director of Counseling Services in a college setting. Her educational and career background has led to a passion for teaching, both with clients and with other counselors. She strives to help clients understand why we do what we do, how the mind works, and practical strategies for change. Prior to becoming a therapist, Kyrie worked for Cornell University's extension service, disseminating research-based human development information to the public. Kyrie has an undergraduate degree in Human Development from Montana State, a Master's Degree in Adult Education from Buffalo State College, and a Master's degree in Counseling from the University of Great Falls (now the University of Providence). She has received advanced CBT training through the International OCD Foundation and participates in ongoing consultation with experts in the field.

Cara Palmer, Ph.D. - Keynote Speaker
MSU - Director of the Sleep and Development Lab

Dr. Cara Palmer is an Associate Professor at Montana State University in the Department of Psychology. Dr. Palmer is the director of the Sleep and Development Lab and the co-director of the MSU Sleep Research Lab. Prior to joining the faculty at MSU, Dr. Palmer was research faculty at the University of Houston within the Department of Psychology and the Texas Institute of Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics. She completed her doctoral training in Developmental Psychology at West Virginia University, and a postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Child Psychology and Behavioral Sleep Medicine at the University of Houston. Dr. Palmer has received numerous awards and grants for her research from organizations including the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Sleep Research Society, and the World Sleep Society.

Anna Rolando, LCSW

Anna Rolando is a Licensed Clinical Social worker with a private practice in Helena, Montana. She sees a wide variety of clients with areas of concentration including grief and loss, chronic illness, anxiety and depression. She is trained in CBT, ACT, and EFT and primarily utilizes ACT approaches when working with clients. Anna’s twenty-plus years working in the Helena community include work as a hospice social worker and as a college counselor. Anna lives with her two teenagers, her dogs, and her cat.

Hannah Nixon, Ph.D.
Owner, Big River Psychology

Dr. Hannah Nixon is a licensed psychologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of neurodevelopment disorders in children and adolescents. She completed her undergraduate degree at Carroll College before pursuing a doctoral degree at Pacific University. Dr. Nixon then went on to complete a Master’s degree in psychopharmacological training at New Mexico State University which allows her to prescribe medications for psychiatric conditions in select states. Dr. Nixon specializes in the assessment of a full spectrum of mental health disorders including ADHD, Autism, learning delays, developmental delays, anxiety, mood disorders, behavioral issues, and trauma-related disorders. She also offers treatment for anxiety-based disorder (OCD, Panic Disorder, Phobias) using CBT, DBT, Exposure with Response Prevention, as well as parent training. Dr. Nixon has extensive training working with children and their families in a variety of settings such as private practice, community-based services, and residential services

Stacy Peterson, LCPC
Riverbend Financial Therapy & Consulting

Stacy Peterson is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Financial Therapist with a private practice in Great Falls, Montana. She sees a variety of mental health clients with anxiety, depression, and life transition concerns. Her area of concentration includes working with women as a Financial Therapist and helping women navigate their financial and emotional landscapes with empathy and expertise. She is trained in REBT, The Trauma of Money and as a Certified Financial Therapist- Level 1 Candidate and utilizes these approaches when working with clients. For nearly a decade Stacy has been working in the Great Falls community including her work as a volunteer for the Junior League of Great Falls and Special Olympics of Montana. Stacy lives with wonderful husband, two toddlers, her dog, her cat, and 15 chickens.

Theresa O'Keefe, LCSW

Theresa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in Attachment and Trauma with individuals and couples. She is an EMDR and EFT practitioner who works from a perspective that prioritizes emotions, self-esteem, and relationships. She has a MS in Nonprofit Management from Bay Path University followed by a MSW in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire. In addition to her current clinical practice, she has worked professionally with folks experiencing homelessness, with intellectual impairment, physically disabilities, victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, military families experiencing domestic violence and cancer patients and their families. Theresa is the leader of an Attachment-Focused Consultation and Training Group and has found a devotion to sharing the insights of Attachment Science.

Questions about the Conference?

Please reach out to the host, Kyrie Russ, at kruss@mounthelenacounseling.com or (406) 438-6439.

Agenda and Workshop Descriptions

Day 1: Thursday, October 3

8:30-10:00: Conference Opening and Keynote (1.5 CE Hours)

Keynote: "Sleep on It: Connections between Sleep and Psychological Health"

10:15-12:00 - Workshop 1: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

12:00-1:15 - Lunch Break (on your own)

3:30-5:00 - Workshop 2: Working with Chronic Illness in Therapy: Navigating Grief, Finding Acceptance, and Living Committedly (1.5 CE Hours)