Profile / United States
Tonya Carpenter, LCSW
Montana
LCSW - trauma and addiction focus
See online therapy options- CBT methods
- Trauma focus
- Motivational interviewing
About Tonya
Tonya Carpenter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Montana with seven years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, parenting challenges, and related issues.
She uses a direct, straightforward style in sessions. Tonya asks clear questions and expects honest answers. She believes people are not broken but are using the tools they have, and she helps them learn new tools to improve day-to-day life.
Her background includes hospital-based counseling and six years in private practice. She also worked in schools as a behavior intervention specialist for grades 6-12 and with adults with disabilities. She earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California with an emphasis in Military and Veterans Affairs, and she is a veteran.
Tonya supports people with co-occurring disorders, substance use, PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. She lists trauma and military affairs as primary focuses and also addresses issues such as attachment, communication problems, body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and codependency.
In practice she relies on client-centered and strengths-based methods alongside evidence-based tools. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Attachment-Based approaches. She also uses motivational interviewing and trauma-focused techniques.
She aims to be practical and solution oriented, helping clients set clear goals and try different ways of responding to unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking.
How evidence-based methods translate to online sessions
Tonya uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in practical ways. CBT focuses on noticing unhelpful thoughts and testing new responses to reduce distress and change habits. ACT teaches skills to clarify values and take small actions that matter, useful for stress, anxiety, and life changes.She approaches these methods collaboratively. The therapist and client work together to pick the methods that fit the person's goals and preferences. That means trying an approach, checking how it works, and adjusting the plan over time rather than committing to one fixed method upfront.
Confirm session formats before booking since the biography does not list them explicitly. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Some formats may use video or phone which can help when a quieter setting or less bandwidth is preferable. Ask about current session options when you complete the matching questionnaire and schedule a first appointment.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Montana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, parenting issues, and related problems.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is direct and upfront; she asks clear questions and focuses on practical steps to change thoughts and habits.
What is her clinical experience?
She has seven years of experience, including hospital-based counseling, six years in private practice, and school-based behavior intervention work.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LCSW licensed in Montana and works from that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.