Montana CBT Conference

The Montana CBT Conference is a must-attend event for mental health providers in Montana and surrounding states! This 5th year of the annual conference will feature expert speakers, interactive workshops, and new 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. (Scroll all the way down for all the important info including hotel room booking link.)

Day 1: Thursday, October 23 

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

8:30-10:15: Conference Opening and Keynote (1.75 CE hours)

Keynote:  A Practical Approach to Working with Shame

Speaker: Michael Heady, LCPC
Co-Director, Anxiety & Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland
Faculty, International OCD Foundation's Training Institute
Clinical Fellow, Anxiety & Depression Association America

Description: 
Shame is a common clinical issue for clients struggling with anxiety and mood disorders. It is widely noted that not addressing shame can impact treatment readiness, engagement, and even outcomes. Outside of compassion focused exercises commonly integrated into treatment, there are few practical assessments and interventions for identifying and treating shame. In this workshop we will discuss the clinical significance of distinguishing adaptive shame from maladaptive shame and how it’s different from guilt. We will demonstrate how to functionally assess four specific domains shame commonly impacts. Lastly, through case examples, we will elaborate on cognitive behavioral and interpersonal interventions that go beyond integrating self-compassion into treatment.

10:15-10:30: Break 

10:30-12:00 - Workshop 1 (1.5 CE hours)
Integrating Self Compassion Interventions into Evidence-Based Practice

Speaker: Kyrie Russ, MS, LCPC 

Description: Building on the foundations of the keynote presentation, this workshop explores self-compassion through the lens of two leading therapeutic approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Participants will be introduced to the ACT Hexaflex model, with a focus on how core processes—such as cognitive defusion and emotional acceptance—can foster genuine self-compassion in the context of values-driven living. We will examine how these concepts align with cognitive-behavioral principles and provide a roadmap for integrating self-compassion into clinical practice. Attendees will leave with concrete, ready-to-use interventions designed to help clients relate to themselves with greater kindness while staying engaged with what matters most.

12:00-1:15 - Optional Networking lunch with Psychotherapy Trivia and Prizes!

**Please select this optional ticket upon checkout if you'd like to attend, or opt for lunch on your own

1:15-3:15 - Workshop 2 (2 CE hours)
Seeing Past the Clutter: An Introduction to Hoarding Disorder 

Speaker: Cecilia Garrett, MSW, LSWAIC

Description: You’ve seen the shows featuring houses so filled with belongings that living in them becomes nearly impossible. It’s difficult to watch and even harder to intervene. Perhaps you were relieved that none of your clients seemed to struggle with this issue—until one day, a client drops a bombshell: “I think I have a hoarding problem.” 

In this evidence-based introductory training, we will focus on the underlying vulnerability factors commonly associated with the development of hoarding disorder (HD). We’ll also address the implicit biases that can influence our conversations about clutter and hoarding, which may deter individuals who hoard from seeking help. Additionally, we will discuss how research has shown that HD is distinct from obsessive-compulsive disorder, the counterintuitive approaches to clinical treatment, and the unique impacts that hoarding has on families and communities. Finally, we’ll discuss key components of cognitive-behavioral therapy for hoarding disorder.

3:15-3:30: Break 

3:30-5:00 - Workshop 3 (1.5 CE hours)

ACT Beyond the Hexaflex: Using the Choice Point 2.0 Model 

Speaker: Jonathan Sky Cova, LCPC, LAC

Description: The Choice Point 2.0 is a tool in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) developed by ACT writer and clinician Russ Harris. ACT has six main components: 1. Emotional Acceptance 2. Cognitive defusion 3. Be Here Now (Mindfulness), 4. Contacting the Observing Self 5. Clarification of Values 6. Valued Action.  These components combine towards the service of "psychological flexibility," which is ACT's conceptualization of human wellbeing in regards to mental health.  The Choice Point combines many of these elements of ACT into one simple graphic. Attendees will learn to use this graphic with clients, which will help them implement in practical ways, the foundational skills of ACT, in order to improve their lives and make valued change.

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

Day 2: Friday, October 24

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

8:30-10:30 - Workshop 4 (2 CE hours) 

Suicide Safe Care

Speaker: Karl Rosston, LCSW - Montana State Suicide Prevention Coordinator

Description: This presentation focuses on suicide within our culture with specific attention towards the role of mental health providers in assessment and intervention with high-risk suicidal patients.  The training is based on WICHE’s Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Primary Care Providers and the Zero Suicide Initiative. The training covers national and Montana data, demographics of a suicidal person, warning signs, depression screening with the PHQ-9 or PHQ-A (pediatric), anxiety screening with the GAD-7, suicide risk assessment utilizing the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale or the ASQ (pediatric), safety planning, lethal means counseling, and caring contact.  The training also focuses on evidenced-based practices, and resources available.

**This training will fulfill the 2 hour suicide specific training requirement for providers licensed within the MT Board of Behavioral Health.

10:30-10:45 Break  

10:45-12:15 - Workshop 5 (1.5 CE hours) 

When Anxiety Looks Like Productivity: Addressing High Functioning Anxiety with CBT

Speaker: Onnie Michalsky, LCPC 

Description: High-functioning anxiety is often masked by outward success—clients may appear composed, reliable, and high-achieving, while inwardly struggling with chronic worry, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and a relentless fear of failure. These individuals are frequently overlooked in clinical settings due to their ability to “hold it all together,” but the emotional cost can be immense.

This presentation will explore how high-functioning anxiety develops and is maintained through maladaptive cognitive patterns and behavior cycles. Using the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, attendees will learn how to identify common distortions such as catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, and rigid expectations of self. The session will also incorporate elements of third-wave CBT approaches—including mindfulness, emotional tolerance, and self-compassion—offering a well-rounded strategy for treating this often-misunderstood experience. Practical tools, clinical examples, and case conceptualizations will be provided to equip attendees with immediately applicable interventions.

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

1:30-3:15 - Workshop 6 (1.75 CE hours) 

Hot Topics Panel – Real Answers to the Things You’ve Been Figuring Out Alone

Speakers:  Kyrie Russ, LCPC, Onnie Michalsky, LCPC, Joelle Johnson, LCSW, Kittie Bowen, LCPC

Description: Let’s talk about the things no one teaches you in grad school, but every therapist needs to know! This dynamic, fast-paced panel features four experienced panelists, each delivering a 20-minute talk on a critical, real-world topic you probably didn’t cover in your coursework or any time after! After the presentations, we’ll open the floor for a 25-minute panel Q&A, so you can get your most pressing questions answered.

Topics include:

• What You Need to Know About the Licensing Board (Joelle Johnson)
  Demystifying the board and it's purpose, the complaint process, and how to find the important info

• Clinical Documentation in the Age of AI (Kyrie Russ)
  How to navigate ethics, efficiency, and must-do's when completing documentation or considering AI tools

• Preventing Professional Isolation (Onnie Michalsky)
  Practical strategies for building a strong, supportive therapist community

• Business Basics for Therapists (Kittie Bowen)
  Foundational knowledge for starting or strengthening the business side of your practice

Whether you're newly licensed or have years of experience, this panel is designed to provide practical, candid insights you can immediately apply to your professional life and help you worry less!

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

CE Information

**This is a LIVE-ONLY, in-person training. There will not be a recording available or the opportunity to obtain CEs for sessions you did not attend.

12 CE hours for both days of conference. Participants must sign in and out with the time each day to document attendance. You will only receive CE hours for the sessions you attended fully.

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 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 particular licensure board rules for specific requirements for your license type, if your license is not listed. Participants living outside of Montana are responsible for verifying that their state licensing board accepts NBCC approved courses for annual training requirements.

Hotel Information

The conference will be held at the Delta Hotel Helena Colonial.  A discounted room rate of $159/night is available through the conference block rate.  You must use the special link below or call the hotel directly and ask for the Montana CBT Conference block rate. Phone: 406-443-2100. 

**You must book by 10/2/25 to receive the block rate.

Block Rate Booking Link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1731431239366&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true

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
Practice website:  www.mounthelenacounseling.com
Blog/training newsletter:  https://montanamentalhealthtraining.substack.com/
Podcast: Practical Psych 

Kyrie is a psychotherapist 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 and clinical documentation.

Michael Heady, LCPC - Keynote Speaker
Practice website: https://www.anxietyandstress.com/

Mike is the co-owner and co-director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland. He is a faculty member with the International OCD Foundation’s Training Institute, co-chair of the IOCDF Inference-Based CBT Special Interest Group, and is on the Advisory Board for OCD Training School. For over 15 years, he has utilized evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders, OCD, and related conditions. He is an advocate for Inference-Based CBT and has been influential in facilitating the training of US clinicians in this treatment approach. As a regular presenter at regional and national conferences, Mike is committed to increasing understanding and access to evidence-based treatment options for both clinicians and consumers.

Cecilia Garrett, MSW, LICSW
Practice website: https://lighteningtheloadcounseling.com

Ceci is a clinical social worker in Washington state who specializes in treating Hoarding Disorder, anxiety, and trauma. Ceci's unique personal and professional experience working with hoarding with individuals, families, agencies, and communities informs her advocacy efforts. Her passion is destigmatizing hoarding disorder through compassionate and engaging education of professionals, families, and communities about the need for mental health treatment as a key component of addressing hoarding behaviors.

Jonathan Sky Cova, LCPC, LAC

Sky grew up in Helena MT and was a conservation crew leader for many years prior to initiating studies to become a mental health counselor in 2015.  He has worked in mental health positions in Missoula, the Flathead Valley, and Hawaii.  Sky maintains a private counseling practice in downtown Missoula, specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, treating a wide range of mental health and substance use challenges. Sky's values include creativity, effectiveness, participating, service, flexibility, adventure, and community.  He acts on these values in his role as a counselor, spouse, parent, activist, and contra dance caller. He still appreciates getting out in the woods and connecting with others.

Karl Rosston, LCSW

Karl is the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.  He provides evidenced-based programs to all Montana secondary schools, implements the State Suicide Prevention Plan, supports the Montana Crisis Lifeline, implements statewide media campaigns, provides suicide prevention trainings, and coordinates suicide prevention efforts around the state. Karl is a master level trainer in QPR and trains in suicide safe care for patients for many of the state’s universities and health care settings. Previously, Karl was the Director of Social Services at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena.  Before returning to Montana, he was on the faculty of the University of Colorado, School of Medicine, and a clinical consultant with the Colorado Division of Youth Corrections. He is a licensed clinical social worker who maintains a small private practice in Helena.  He received his master’s in social work from the University of Denver and his bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Montana.

Onnie Michalsky, LCPC

Onnie is a licensed therapist, certified Fair Play facilitator, TEDx speaker, and host of the Moms Without Capes Podcast. Based in Billings, Montana, Onnie specializes in working with women who have lost themselves in the roles of motherhood and caregiving. In addition to her clinical work, Onnie leads training on workplace mental wellness, equipping professionals with the tools to support emotional health, reduce burnout, and foster psychologically safe environments. She is the co-founder of the Billings Mental Health Providers Alliance and is passionate about connecting clinicians and professionals across the community to collaborate and better meet the mental health needs of the region.

Joelle Johnson, LCSW, LAC

Joelle was appointed to the MT Board of Behavioral Health in 2021 and is also the Behavioral Health Director at the Helena Indian Alliance. Joelle has experience working within various settings over the past 20 years, including the the Department of Corrections, state licensed agencies serving both adults and children school-based programs and also in private practice. No matter the setting, she finds herself continually dedicated to creating supportive environments for people to heal from past trauma and build their personal paths to recovery and safety.  In her current role, she finds deep satisfaction in doing this work by providing clinical supervision and direction to others in the field. Joelle is grateful to live in her hometown of Helena where she and her husband Garth raised two wonderful sons, Andy and Kaden.  In her spare time, you can find Joelle bowling with her Garth, taking her twin Labradors for a hike or sitting in Washington Grizzly stadium cheering on the best football team in the state!

Kathryn Bowen, LCPC
Practice website: https://bozemancounselingcenter.com

Kathryn (Kittie) is a seasoned business professional and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with more than 30 years of combined experience in the corporate and mental health sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Montana State University and expertly blends her financial and business acumen with deep clinical insight to support both clients and fellow professionals. Before transitioning into the mental health field, Kathryn was a CPA and a CFO, an experience that deepened her understanding of business operations and finance. As the founder of Bozeman Counseling Center—a thriving group practice with 25 clinicians—Kathryn has cultivated a supportive environment that emphasizes collaboration, growth, and high-quality care. In addition to her clinical work, she leads Kathryn Bowen Coaching, where she offers business consulting to mental health professionals, empowering them to build sustainable, successful practices.

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