Spela Bertoncelj , LCSW

Spela Bertoncelj is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Montana with four years of clinical experience. She focuses on supporting people facing stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem concerns, and the challenges that come with life changes. As a practitioner, she combines practical strategies with a compassionate, strengths-based outlook to help clients navigate difficult moments and build resilience.

Spela believes that each person is the expert on their own life and that therapy works best when it builds on existing strengths and insights. She emphasizes collaboration and clear, empathetic communication while helping clients develop coping skills, process past hurts, and identify meaningful next steps. Taking the first step toward therapy requires courage, and Spela affirms that choice while offering steady, down-to-earth support throughout the process.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care and Support

Spela uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the individual's goals and values guide the work. This approach focuses on listening, empathy, and supporting clients as they identify their own solutions and build on personal strengths. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and teaches practical skills to manage anxiety, stress, and mood challenges. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, offers tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be helpful for intense emotions and relationship struggles.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. Spela works with clients to explore options, tailor techniques to personal needs, and adjust the plan as progress and preferences emerge. The goal is finding a fit that feels useful and sustainable.

Online therapy with Spela is available by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging, which offers flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent support from licensed professionals without extensive travel, and they allow therapy to fit into varied routines and life demands.