David Preston, SWLC, ACLC, CAMS II

"This isn't what I signed up for; when did life get so hard, and when did people get so self-centered & mean?" That thing: that day, that tour, that year, that war. You wish that thing that happened when you were a child/soldier/first responder/partner/friend would stop creating problems in your “now,” but it won't; they won't. You know trauma, shame, anxiety, addiction, guilt, and depression suck because one or more of these open, infected, invisible injuries or wounds are your constant, unwanted companions. They get in the way of the life you want for you and those you love. I create and guard the safe, supportive, judgement-free space where you can say anything...and be accepted. Discuss and make any decision....and be supported. You & this Preacher’s Kid/Actor/Homeless/Soldier/Veteran/Businessman...now Therapist. In my 50s I began to ask myself, "But are you making a difference in the world?” I realized I could offer a place where we can work on your invisible injuries with the same passion doctors and nurses bring to our visible health. And it began to draw all kinds of people to this surprising, middle-aged cisgender, Caucasian guy…because they get results. We all have a primal need to be heard, valued, and listened to. To have our thoughts, feelings, and ideas taken seriously. Most of us don't have someone who can do that without telling us what to do or not do, saying things like, "If I were you..." because they're not. I'm not you either but the difference is, I know that's a good thing: and you will too. As an SWLC (Clinical Social Worker Licensure Candidate) and ACLC (Licensed Addiction Counselor Candidate) I have the "licenses to earn the independent licenses" after I finish the rest of my first 4,000 hours of therapy (with established therapists as supervisors, mentors, and guides) in December. Don't worry; they don't have to sit in the room with us. In my case, to open the doors the first day required six years of school after I got my bachelor’s degree: • Four years to earn a Master’s in Clinical and Military Social Work including 1,000 hours of internship at the VA Clinic and the Western Montana Mental Health Center. • Another two years to earn a degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling including working as a therapist at an intensive outpatient treatment program. • Add certification courses in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) and Anger Management, and voila: open the doors! There are three main differences between a candidate and a fully licensed therapist: 1. Like any other specialized profession, we have to have someone to check in with and guide us for a couple of years to prove to the State of Montana and our community that we know our stuff. 2. During those first 3,000 therapist hours and 1,000 Addiction Counselor hours we work with experienced professionals as supervisors, mentors, and guides. Once that’s done, we take Montana Board of Behavioral Health licensing exams. 3. Finally, only certain insurance companies will pay for you to see an SWLC, but everything else is the same because we have amazing supervisors. Whomever you choose to work with, find someone you “click with,” and please make sure they have the qualifications and licensing to guide you on your journey. If you think you may be ready for a memorable trip full of hard work, discovery, and change, give me a call so we can find out if it's time for us to make that trip together.