Family therapy, also known as family counseling, is a form of psychotherapy that aims to address specific issues affecting the health and functioning of a family. It can be instrumental in helping a family or certain family individuals through a difficult period, a major transition, or mental health conditions in family members. Several providers at Montana Psychiatry & Brain Health Center have experience in providing family therapy.

Our Approach to Family Therapy
We understand the multidimensional aspects of family dynamics and the challenges as each family member has a place and a personal desire of how they want their family to be. Every family is unique – yet all struggle with similar challenges. Here are thoughts based on our experience and training:
Typical Objectives of Family Therapy:
- Improve communication among family members.
- Resolve conflicts and enhance interactions.
- Strengthen the family system.
- Address dysfunctional behaviors within the family.
- Deal with specific issues like divorce, death, or chronic illness.
The Methods Often Used:
- Techniques from various therapy modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), systemic therapy, narrative therapy, or psychodynamic approaches.
- Sessions may involve all or just some family members, depending on the issues and therapeutic goals.
The Benefits of Family Therapy:
- Improve communication issues through understanding and interaction.
- Helping family members adjust to major life transitions: Such as:: Such as moving, job loss, or new members being added to the family (e.g., births, adoptions, blending families).
- Guiding families dealing with mental health disorders such as depression, eating disorders, or substance abuse.
- Providing solutions for families dealing with children and adolescents problems, particularly behavioral problems, school issues, or mental health conditions.
- Restoring hope for couples facing relationship challenges: Even within a family context.
Family therapy can be beneficial for virtually any family experiencing stress, grief, or conflicts that they feel unable to resolve on their own. We offer a supportive environment to explore the dynamics that contribute to problems and to develop strategies for resolving them.
TMS
by Deb (age 64)
Category: generalThe hoops I jumped through in order to be evaluated were straightforward and efficient. I met with PA Kaitlin for about an hour to discuss my history and previous medications. Then Dr. Amato joined us to further discuss my history, the TMS treatment, and answer any questions. Myrna gathered all of the information and submitted it to my health insurance company to request coverage for TMS. Fortunately, insurance approved the treatment and I was able to begin the next week. I’m sure most people have anxiety about starting a treatment like TMS. No matter how many times it’s described to you, there are many unknowns. How will I feel during treatment? Is it painful? What if this doesn’t work? What if it works for a while but then stops? In all honesty, I was very uncomfortable during the first couple of weeks of treatment. The alternating two seconds of tapping sensation caused some pain during treatment, and at the end of the first week I thought about quitting. But I had sworn to myself that TMS was a last resort and I HAD TO complete the treatment and give it a chance to work. My technician, Heather, told me that some people don’t feel the tapping at all, they only hear it. Guess I wasn’t one of those people! But as the days went by, it became easier to tolerate the treatments. During this time I also saw Lauren weekly for CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). This is highly recommended for people undergoing TMS treatment, and it was a positive complement to my total of 100 minutes each week “under the helmet”. The weekend between weeks three and four, I started to notice subtle improvements in my mood, increased belief in my self-worth, and enthusiasm for simple things like going for walks, meeting friends for lunch, and taking on volunteer work in the community. I hesitated at first to believe that TMS was helping me. I was afraid that I was convincing myself it was working because I so desperately wanted it to! But now that I am past the treatment I can say with cert
TMS
by Barbie (age 68)
Category: generalI feel so blessed to participate in the TMS protocol at MT Psychiatry. After struggling so many years with depression and not getting significant results from medication, particularly of late, I noticed positive results in the first two weeks of treatment. TMS can literally give you back the beauty & joy in living as well as the courage to make positive life changes and improvements in your daily living situation. I heartily encourage anyone to put yourself into the hands of the amazing TMS team who so gently and graciously make this journey with you out of the black hole that is depression. It is my honor and privilege to give the TMS treatment the highest recommendation.
TMS
by Shayne (age 66)
Category: generalI am grateful for the support and caring I have received from Dr. Amato (and Heidi, Heather and Myrna) in my quest for mental health and a fuller more productive life. While the TMS results have been subtle, I feel more positive about my future and I would recommend this team absolutely. Thank you!
TMS
by Carrie (age 65)
Category: generalNot realizing how fuzzy my head was, I thought I was only going through severe anxiety and depression. Through the insight of Pat, I was able to go through TMS treatments which brought down the anxiety and depression immensely and has cleared up the fuzzy, far off substantially. All the personnel treated me with kindness and I’m sure their attitudes helped in my recovery.
TMS
by Bridget (age 47)
Category: generalThe first outcome of TMS I noted happened early in my treatment, at about the beginning of week two. I felt as though my “brain fog” had been chipped away. I wish I could report that I feel my mental health issues are in “remission”, but I can’t do so yet. My hope is that I will see improvement in the weeks to come, now that my TMS cycle has ended. I can say that my brain feels – in some way – different; I can’t explain exactly how. I continue to struggle at this point in time but sill have hope for more improvement.
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