Sara Smithson LCSW, LICSW

Hello out there! It's a weird and wonderful thing to be born onto this crazy chunk of spinning rock, looping through the cosmos. Sometimes our paths feel straightforward, and other times we must begin by figuring out which way is up.

I emphasize support for easily misunderstood people on the outer edges of the emotional regulation spectrum, whether introverted, shy, or inhibited—or—outwardly expressive, gregarious, or impulsive. Each of these types tend to thrive once they figure out how to wield their unique strengths and get out of their own way and can include:

deep thinkers lodged in cycles of anxiety and depression
sensitive hearts overwhelmed by the intensity of experiences or relationships
outside-the-box or neurodivergent people searching to feel understood, connected, or successful

I offer flexible counseling approaches toward greater comfort, clarity, and courage. My goal is to understand, as fully as I can, who you are, what's important to you, and what you would like to get out of your time in counseling. From there, we work together to help you put your goals into action, identify what works best for you and what slows you down, and develop skills and supports to assist you in keeping your balance amid life's next dynamic moments. I welcome work with individuals who feel stuck, scared, hurt, ashamed, or skeptical, as well as those who feel motivated and ready to make changes.

Starting is often the hardest part, and you're already on your way. Please reach out to explore what could be next.

I had the pleasure of working alongside Sara for many years and observing her work. Sara is a brilliant clinician yet still down-to-earth and approachable. She is particularly skilled at taking each client as an individual and developing a plan specific to their needs. She builds trusting relationships which help clients to push themselves outside their comfort zones and grow as individuals.

Shelley Eberhardy
Academic Coordinator, Flathead Valley Community College
Sara is an incredibly thoughtful therapist who weaves in knowledge and wisdom just as gracefully as she does compassion and humor. She’s gifted in the art of a good thought-provoking question. Her breadth of experience lends itself nicely to her confidence in the therapeutic process. But the thing that is most notable is that it’s evident she’s done her own work. Even a good therapist can’t take you anywhere they haven’t already been. This doesn’t mean she’s experienced all you have, but she’s been willing to consider the depths of her own human experience, which makes her more available to support your depths as well.

Kelly Brewer, LCSW
Clinician, The Montana Center for Wellness and Pain Management
Sara is an experienced and wise counselor who supports the unique gifts and challenges of others and encourages change and growth. She engages with humor, quick wit, playfulness, and a grounded presence, and supports folks moving toward their goals. She's awesome!

Jo-Lynn Park, LPC
Director, Naropa University Student Counseling Center and Masters Training Program
If a unicorn and a stealthy ninja formed a union that produced a therapist, it would be Sara. A great and humble human, with an old soul and a brilliant mind, Sara is a highly skilled clinician, adept at building trust in the therapeutic relationship.

Liann Ainsworth
Associate Executive Director of Operations, Summit Preparatory School

Crisis or emergency?

Crisis Resources
For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or your local emergency services number, or go directly to your local emergency room. If 911 is not a safe option for you, please see additional crisis resources below.

What happens when you contact a crisis hotline?

A trained crisis worker will listen to you and provide support and resources. These hotlines are confidential, free, and available 24/7. If police involvement or involuntary intervention is a concern, ask the worker to explain their mandated reporting requirements and emergency response policies before sharing information. If privacy is a concern, phone calls provide greater electronic information security than internet chat. If you need immediate crisis support but you're not sure if your problem is important enough to contact a hotline, call the hotline and let the crisis worker help you make that determination.

U.S. National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- 988 or 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
- TTY: 1-800-799-4889
- online chat & website
BlackLine
- (BIPOC & LGBTQ+ crisis support including negative police contact)
- 1-800-604-5841
- text chat: 1-800-604-5841
- website
LGBTQ+ Youth & Young Adult Crisis/Suicide Lifeline
- 1-866-488-7386
- text chat: text START to 678678
- online chat & website
Trans Lifeline
- 1-877-565-8860
- text chat: 1-800-604-5841
- website

Sara Smithson LCSW, LICSW

Crisis or emergency?

What happens when you contact a crisis hotline?

U.S. National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

BlackLine

LGBTQ+ Youth & Young Adult Crisis/Suicide Lifeline

Trans Lifeline

U.S. Military & Veterans Crisis Line

U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline

U.S. National Sexual Assault Hotline

U.S. Department of Defense Safe Helpline

Childhelp U.S. National Child Abuse Hotline

U.S. National Runaway Safeline

SAMHSA U.S. National Disaster Distress Helpline

U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline