- Strengths focused
- Skill building
- Goal oriented
About Spela
Spela Bertoncelj is an LCSW based in Montana who centers therapy on each person's strengths. She uses practical approaches to help people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, anger, and low self-esteem. Her style is straightforward and respectful, aimed at helping people take the next step when life feels hard.
With four years of clinical experience, she focuses on real-life challenges like coping with big changes, feeling isolated, and rebuilding confidence after difficult events. She also addresses issues such as attachment and abandonment wounds, communication struggles, caregiver strain, chronic illness and pain, and money and financial issues.
Spela blends client-centered work with tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to help clients notice patterns and try different ways of responding. She also uses motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques to set achievable goals and build momentum.
Sessions emphasize practical skills and small experiments clients can use between meetings. The therapist frames the client as the expert in their own life and supports them in naming priorities, testing changes, and tracking progress.
Her approach is collaborative and down-to-earth. People who want clear steps, emotional support, and help translating goals into actions may find this style helpful.
How her approaches translate to online therapy
Spela uses client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy to build practical skills and change unhelpful thinking. Client-centered work means the therapist listens closely and follows the client's lead to identify what matters most. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves spotting thought and behavior patterns and trying new actions to reduce distress.She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy to teach concrete emotion regulation and coping skills when feelings feel overwhelming. These approaches help with anxiety, stress, anger, trauma-related symptoms, and decision-making around life changes or money concerns. Finding the right mix of methods is part of the process, and the therapist will collaborate with each person to pick strategies that fit their goals and preferences.
Confirm which session formats are currently offered before booking so you know how meetings are scheduled. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy days, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Many people find it helpful to practice skills between meetings and then review progress during sessions with a licensed professional.
Areas of focus
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does this therapist address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include attachment issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and money and financial issues.
What is the therapy style like?
The approach is client-centered and practical, using techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused work. Sessions focus on skills, small experiments, and goal setting.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has four years of professional experience working with people on the concerns listed above.
Where does this therapist practice and what are the credentials?
She is licensed in Montana and holds the LCSW credential.
Can I see this therapist if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered at the time of scheduling.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.