Tonya Carpenter , LCSW

Tonya Carpenter is a licensed clinician with experience across hospital, school, and private-practice settings, currently practicing at Aware. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California with an emphasis in Military and Veterans Affairs and is licensed in Montana as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) - the LCSW credential indicates advanced training in clinical social work and the LAC credential denotes specialized training in addiction treatment.

Her career includes three years providing counseling in hospital settings, six years in private practice, work as a behavior intervention specialist for grades 6-12, and supporting adults with disabilities. As a military veteran, she brings personal insight into the challenges service members face and maintains a particular focus on trauma and military affairs alongside co-occurring disorders, substance use, PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and a wide range of life stressors.

Tonya uses a direct yet warm style, preferring clear, straightforward questions delivered in a nonjudgmental way. Her practice emphasizes client-centered, strengths-based, and solution-focused care, drawing on evidence-based techniques such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). She also holds certifications in EMDR, moral reconation therapy (MRT), trauma-focused CBT, and trauma narratives to support trauma work.

Tonya aims to collaborate with clients to build practical skills and improve quality of life. She typically responds to messages within 24 hours Monday through Friday and seeks to accommodate scheduling needs while noting limited evening and some weekend availability.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Tonya integrates evidence-based approaches to address a range of concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships influence current emotional patterns and interpersonal dynamics, which can be helpful for attachment issues, intimacy concerns, and relationship difficulties. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) supports clients in clarifying values and building psychological flexibility through mindful acceptance and committed action, often aiding those coping with chronic stress, life changes, or persistent emotional pain.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Tonya works with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences and will adapt techniques or combine approaches to find the best fit for each person’s circumstances and priorities.

Online therapy with Tonya can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules and differing comfort levels. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from home, during work breaks, or while traveling, and support consistent care when in-person visits are not practical.