Rev. Elizabeth Hector , LCSW

Rev. Elizabeth Hector is a Montana-based trauma therapist who brings a long history of pastoral ministry into her clinical work. She spent ten years in pastoral roles before attending social work school, and that background informs a practice rooted in acceptance and gentleness for people of all genders, sexualities, races, and creeds. She has worked across the lifespan, moving easily from youth programs to sitting with people facing chronic illness and end-of-life issues.

Hector is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is currently pursuing additional training in Internal Family Systems. She has extensive experience with co-occurring disorders and has noted that trauma and substance use frequently intersect, with PTSD often complicated by substance use disorders. Her practice has included work with Multi-Systemic Therapy and a consistent focus on helping people regain a sense of control when life feels chaotic.

For the past two years she concentrated on teenagers in a group home setting, addressing complex trauma, co-occurring disorders, and efforts to engage families in treatment. She has been an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) for 11 years and an ordained United Church of Christ minister for 28 years. Her therapeutic offerings include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, and client-centered work for mood disorders, trauma, process addictions, and LGBT issues.

Therapeutic approaches for online trauma care

Rev. Elizabeth Hector integrates several evidence-informed approaches into online work to address trauma, mood concerns, and co-occurring issues. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms and build practical coping skills - it is often used for anxiety, depression, and many mood-related problems. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused method that helps process distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity, often used for PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a compassionate, nonjudgmental stance that centers the client's experience and supports self-directed growth; it is helpful across age groups and situations, from grief and life transitions to relationship and identity concerns.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Rev. Elizabeth Hector works with each person to explore goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, adjusting methods over time to fit the client's needs. Clients and the therapist decide together on the best path forward.

Online therapy offers flexible options to connect by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, or health limitations, and they allow continuity of care for clients who live far from providers or travel frequently. Licensed professionals can adapt these modalities to deliver focused, effective support in ways that fit the client's life.