Lida Holst, LCSW

My Approach

At my core, I believe that we all possess the innate capacity for healing and growth, despite how painful our current struggles or past experiences may be. I practice from a humanistic and trauma-informed perspective, and believe that safety and trust are the foundation of an effective therapeutic relationship. My approach is a very relational one, and I come to sessions with a warm, authentic, and active style that fosters an environment where you feel comfortable doing the same. I view counseling as a collaborative process, and will always look to you as the expert of your own experiences. I am not here to tell you what to do, but rather to provide guidance, support, and effective therapeutic interventions to help you move towards your goals for wellness.

As someone who has sat in the opposite chair, I understand the courage it takes to reach out for support and share the most vulnerable parts of yourself. I strive to hold a non-judgmental and compassionate space where you can explore deeply personal issues, enhance your self-awareness, and make new meaning out of your life experiences.

When outside of the office, I find joy in traveling across our beautiful state and beyond, practicing yoga, reading, playing Mahjong with friends, and exploring the Rocky Mountain Front with friends and pups.

Areas of Focus and Education

I am a generalist practitioner, meaning that I am adept at treating a wide variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, or adjustment-related issues such as grief and other life transitions. I have specific interest and training in the treatment of trauma, substance use disorders, eating disorders, and psychotic disorders. I regularly engage in ongoing professional development and have taken specialized continuing education in various modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and suicide prevention and crisis assessment.

In my previous work I have counseled a wide demographic of individuals in outpatient community-based settings; provided individual, family, and group counseling in residential, partial-hospitalization, and intensive outpatient eating disorder and substance abuse programs; provided counseling and clinical case management to veterans at the VA; and worked in shelters providing re-housing services to individuals experiencing homelessness.

PhD in Social Work, in progress, Sacred Heart University
Master of Social Work, University of Southern Maine
Internship: New England Eating Disorders Program
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, University of Southern Maine

Lida currently sees clients in our Choteau location.