Our Team
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Alison Watt, Owner, M.S. LCPC, LAC
Alison, is Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC) in the State of Montana, and an LCPC in Texas. Alison is dedicated to helping individuals navigate the challenges of addiction and mental health. With a passion for supporting those who face these struggles, she brings a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to her work. Alison believes that recovery is a deeply personal journey, where the answers lie within the individual. Her role is to provide unwavering support and guidance as her clients and their families work toward achieving a healthier and more fulfilling life.
As the founder and owner of Beautiful Directions Counseling, Alison has created a space where individuals can find hope and healing. She is committed to fostering an environment where clients feel safe, supported, and empowered to take control of their recovery. Through her practice, she emphasizes the importance of meeting clients where they are, offering customized care that respects their unique experiences and needs.
Alison's philosophy centers on the idea that recovery is not about fixing what is broken, but about helping individuals rise above life's obstacles and reclaim their strength. Her goal is to guide clients in building the tools necessary for lasting change, whether they are struggling with addiction, mental health conditions, or the complex interplay of both.
Her practice reflects her belief that, with the right support, anyone can overcome life's challenges and find a path to lasting recovery.
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Jessica Erickson, M.S. LCPC, LAC
Born in Seattle, Washington, Jessica spent her early years there before moving to Houston, Texas, for junior high and then to Hemet, California, where she began high school. Jessica graduated from Billings West High in Billings, Montana, where she laid the foundation for her diverse career path.
Initially aspiring to be a news anchor, she interned at several television stations in Billings, including CBS and NBC. However, after earning her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Communications, she realized her true calling lay in helping others. After 19 years at Clinique Cosmetics, Jessica transitioned into mental health and addiction counseling, driven by a desire for deeper impact.
With a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling and an Associate’s degree in Addiction Counseling, she has dedicated the past nine years to serving clients, particularly those who have faced legal challenges and are often underserved. Jessica’s person-centered approach focuses on understanding each individual’s unique story, empowering them to set and achieve their personal goals.
Jessica is a certified Prime for Life instructor and a trained Dialectical Behavioral Therapist, with expertise in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. She has also collaborated with various drug treatment courts in Billings, helping clients navigate their journeys toward recovery.
Outside of work, Jessica cherishes time with her two children and four grandchildren. She enjoys traveling with family and friends, capturing memories in picture frames, and indulging in good food and comedy shows.
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David Cote, LCSW, Clinical Supervisor
David T. Cote, LCSW, is a highly experienced Clinical Supervisor who also provides direct care to clients. As he celebrates his 40th year in the mental health field, David continues to work with individuals, couples, and families, bringing decades of insight and expertise to his practice. His remarkable longevity in the field is rooted in his exceptional ability to listen and his collaborative approach to therapy. David firmly believes in the power of working together with his clients, fostering a therapeutic partnership that promotes growth and healing. "We work together" is his guiding philosophy.
David’s career is distinguished by his extensive training at the Family Therapy Institute of Kansas City, where he honed his skills in family therapy, and his academic contributions as an Adjunct Professor at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska. His commitment to mentorship and education has had a lasting impact on future mental health professionals, while his clinical practice remains dedicated to helping clients navigate life's complexities with empathy and partnership.
With four decades of experience, David’s approach remains grounded in building strong, trusting relationships with his clients, using collaborative techniques to empower them on their journey toward mental and emotional well-being.
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Trish Lauwers, LCSW
Trish is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who specializes in working with children aged 4 and up. Before joining Beautiful Directions, she spent 4 months at Elysian Mental Health, where she worked with children from 4 to 17. Prior to that, Trish spent nearly 4 years at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch in school-based services, initially as a behavioral specialist and later as a therapist. During this time, she worked in schools including Highland Elementary, Lewis and Clark Middle School, and Riverside Middle School.
Currently, Trish is working toward becoming a certified play therapist while also providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Her decision to become a therapist stems from her own childhood trauma. She is passionate about helping kids understand that trauma doesn't have to define their lives, and that emotions are neither good nor bad—they simply exist. Trish encourages children to focus on how they manage their emotions, reinforcing that "we are not our trauma."
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Savannah Sinquah, LSWC
Savannah Sinquah, SWLC, MSW, has been working as a Behavioral Health Therapist for the past four years. She has experience with the Elysian Mental Health Foundation, a non-profit organization, and at Yellowstone Girls and Boys Ranch, where she provided therapeutic services at Medicine Crow Middle School.
Savannah holds a Master of Social Work degree from Walla Walla University and a Business Administration degree from the University of Montana. Before her current role, she spent seven years in Public Health with RiverStone Health, where she served on the Mental Health Expansion Committee during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this work, she played a vital role in bringing expanded mental health services to Billings and surrounding areas.
As a certified Trauma-Informed Care Trainer, Savannah supports the education of incoming providers in the Billings Service Area and collaborates with Indian Health Service providers. She is also certified in QPR suicide prevention and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, currently working towards full EMDR training. Additionally, she has completed the Fatherhood and Motherhood is Sacred Training from the Native American Families Association.
Savannah co-chaired the Apsáalooke Community Health Needs Assessment on the Crow Indian Reservation, the first Crow-led initiative aimed at improving services and resources for the reservation.
She enjoys working with tweens, teens, and adults from all backgrounds, with a specialization in serving Native American communities, particularly due to her upbringing on the Crow Reservation. Having been raised in a family of veterans, including her father who retired from the Army, Savannah has developed a strong connection with veterans and active military personnel.
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Sydney Meyer, LSWC
Sydney Meyer is a Licensed Candidate Social Worker with a strong passion for supporting youth and young adults, ages 6 to 25. She specializes in providing individual mental health counseling for those dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges. Sydney is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and affirming environment for all her clients, especially those within the LGBTQ+ community.
As a wheelchair user, Sydney brings a unique perspective to her practice, understanding the specific challenges faced by individuals with physical disabilities. This personal experience strengthens her ability to empathize and build deeper connections with her clients. Her approach to therapy is compassionate and client-centered, always tailored to meet the individual needs of each person she works with.
Outside of her professional life, Sydney enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, reading, and continuously expanding her knowledge.
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Debra Brown, LSWC
Deb is an SWLC and ACLC and has been working in the mental health field for the past four years. She specializes in helping clients who are navigating addiction, individuals within the LGBTQIA community, and those managing chronic illnesses. Deb works with both teens and adults, using a range of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gestalt Therapy, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy. She is also certified in Gottman Level 1 for relationship therapy. Deb is dedicated to creating a non-judgmental and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to explore their challenges and pursue personal growth.
Before her work in mental health, Deb had a career in case management, where she provided vital assistance to clients living with HIV. Her experience working with diverse populations has shaped her commitment to treating all individuals with respect and meeting them where they are in their unique journeys. Deb has contributed her expertise to several boards, including the Montana Human Rights Network, Not In Our Town Billings, the Yellowstone AIDS Project, and the Continuum of Care (CoC), which focuses on housing and services for individuals experiencing homelessness. She currently serves as a board member of the Professional Association of Social Work in HIV/AIDS (PASWA).
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Rhianna Curtiss, LSWC
Rhianna is a Licensed Candidate Social Worker, soon to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She primarily works with adults and teens but has a strong passion for supporting older individuals as they navigate life transitions and grief. Rhianna is certified in Gerontology, Level 1 Gottman Method, and Level 1 Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and has received training in Trauma-Informed Care, SBIRT, and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) assessments.
Rhianna is committed to guiding individuals through the challenges and transitions of life. With a mindset of continuous learning and growth, she is dedicated to not giving up on anyone willing to put in the effort toward their own healing. Rhianna is eager to be a part of each client’s unique journey toward recovery and personal growth.
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David Eichler, MSW Student, Intern
David is in his final year of graduate school at Walla Walla University - Billings, where he is earning a Master in Clinical Social Work. He is proud to complete his field placement at Beautiful Directions Counseling, providing pro bono services to diverse populations. David believes that the breakthroughs clients seek are already within them, and his role as a therapist is to help them recognize this potential. He draws inspiration from influential figures like Carl Rogers, Viktor Frankl, and Abraham Maslow. Having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder two decades ago, David has shared his journey to raise awareness about mental illness, including a publication in Thrive Global.
Before transitioning to social work, David graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and spent 11 years developing feature films for Warner Bros. in Los Angeles. He also founded and led his PR agency, Decibel Blue, for 18 years, receiving accolades such as being recognized by Arizona Business Magazine as one of Arizona’s “Top Business Leaders” and named to the Phoenix Business Journal’s “40 Under 40.” Active in the community, David served on the Endowment Board for ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication for 12 years. Outside of work, he enjoys exhibiting his wildlife and landscape photography, spending time with his wife and their two Havanese dogs, attending rock concerts, and traveling.
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Jackie Gallagher, MSW Student, Intern
Jackie earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1997 and spent 25 years in the grocery retail industry. Despite her retail career, her true passion has always been helping people navigate the emotional rollercoasters of life, guiding them to a brighter and more fulfilling future, and helping them process experiences that disrupt their mental well-being. Jackie enjoys working with both teens and adults, with a special interest in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Attachment Style Theories. She values time with her family and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Social Work at Walla Walla University.
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Kourtney Friede, MSW Student, Intern, Administrative Assistant
Kourtney is a dedicated and compassionate future mental health professional with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Montana State University - Billings. She is currently working toward her Master of Social Work through The University of North Dakota and is driven by a deep commitment to the special needs community. Her path toward becoming a therapist began with four and a half years as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), where she worked closely with children with autism and their families, finding her purpose in helping others access meaningful support.
Currently, Kourtney divides her time as an intern and an administrative assistant at Beautiful Directions Counseling while working toward her licensure in addictions counseling. Her approach to care is rooted in a strong belief in people’s potential and the idea that everyone deserves support, encouragement, and resources that can enhance their lives.
When not immersed in work or studies, Kourtney enjoys hunting, fishing, baking, reading, and spending quality time with her husband and dogs.
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Megan Connelly, Office Manager
Megan Connelly is the office manager and also a registered nurse whose journey began in Billings, MT. Growing up in Montana shaped her resilient work ethic and genuine compassion for others. Megan’s career in nursing has spanned multiple facets of healthcare, with a strong emphasis on patient safety, risk management, and quality assurance—areas in which she’s driven by a commitment to improving outcomes and fostering safer, more effective care environments.
Throughout her professional journey, Megan discovered her true passion in behavioral health. This specialization has allowed her to impact lives profoundly, bringing her empathetic and thoughtful approach to helping those in need. Her experience in healthcare management and quality assurance has been invaluable, giving her a well-rounded perspective on creating supportive spaces for both clients and staff.
Outside of work, Megan treasures time with her family, especially her lively granddaughter, who brings her endless joy. She enjoys shopping to unwind and loves exploring new places, finding inspiration in travel and cultural experiences.
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Angela Tomalino, Administrative Assistant
Angela is a dedicated customer service professional with over 20 years of experience, known for her compassionate approach and genuine love for helping others. She thrives in roles that allow her to connect with people and make their experiences positive and memorable.
Outside of work, Angela enjoys exploring new places, fueled by her love for travel. She finds joy in discovering diverse cultures and meeting new people along the way. She cherishes quality time with her beloved dog and savoring good coffee with friends. Her warm personality and commitment to service make her a cherished presence both professionally and personally.