Catalyst For Change

Catalyst For Change We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing mental health resources to all Montanans.

We know the strength of community in Montana. When we come together, we create real, lasting change. Every conversation ...
02/27/2026

We know the strength of community in Montana. When we come together, we create real, lasting change. Every conversation challenges stigma around mental health. Every donation fuels vital support. Every share expands our reach to someone who may be struggling in silence or needs support.

Visit www.catalystforchange.org to get involved by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word. Together, we move this work forward, one step at a time.

Your actions matter more than you know!

Meet Brian Washburn, our Chief Operating Officer! Brian is a man of many titles — DHA, FACHE, FACMPE, FHFMA — and even m...
02/17/2026

Meet Brian Washburn, our Chief Operating Officer!

Brian is a man of many titles — DHA, FACHE, FACMPE, FHFMA — and even more real-world experience. He brings a grounded, systems-minded approach to healthcare operations shaped by both rural communities and national systems. We’re glad he’s here!

“Hi, I’m Brian, and I’m excited to join the Catalyst for Change team. I bring a background in healthcare operations and leadership, with experience spanning large, nationally recognized systems to small, rural communities. My career has taken me from the Mayo Clinic to Big Timber, Montana—an experience that deeply shaped my appreciation for the unique strengths and challenges of rural healthcare.

Originally from Salt Lake City, I’m currently based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, but Montana will always feel like home. Both of my daughters (Reagan and Riley) were born in Livingston. Being a ‘girl-dad’ is awesome, but it’s also nice to get out and go fly-fishing, hiking, or hunting, whenever I’m not working.

What drew me to Catalyst for Change is its mission-driven focus on community, collaboration, and improving access to mental health, something especially needed in rural Montana. I’m grateful to be part of a team doing such meaningful work and look forward to contributing in a way that supports both people and communities.”

Valentine’s Day weekend is a great reminder to show yourself some love - whether that’s sharing pizza with your dog, enj...
02/13/2026

Valentine’s Day weekend is a great reminder to show yourself some love - whether that’s sharing pizza with your dog, enjoying a quiet night in, or carving out time for your mental health. 💕

Self-care can be simple but deliberate: journaling, getting outside, binge-watching a favorite show, or working with a therapist.

Catalyst for Change connects you with providers who build resilience, support your goals, strengthen well-being, and help you invest in yourself.

Visit www.catalystforchange.org to get connected!

Keeping children safe online is a top priority for parents. As technology rapidly evolves, it can be challenging to know...
02/10/2026

Keeping children safe online is a top priority for parents. As technology rapidly evolves, it can be challenging to know what internet safety looks like in practice.

Online safety is an ongoing skill, built over time through conversations, clear boundaries, and trust. Safer Internet Day is a reminder of this.

Start a conversation today with these tips and model healthy internet use at home.

Family life can challenge us, stretch us, and shape how we connect with the people we love. This February, Catalyst for ...
02/03/2026

Family life can challenge us, stretch us, and shape how we connect with the people we love. This February, Catalyst for Change is highlighting mental health resources for families with "Finding You," a podcast by Dr. Brad Reedy that explores attachment, boundaries, and family dynamics. Dr. Brad Reedy is a licensed marriage and family therapist with decades of experience working with adolescents, parents, and family systems.

Episodes share strategies for managing stress, navigating transitions, and building intentional connections. Start with “Individuation, Adolescence and Attachment,” which explores how a child’s growing sense of identity changes the parent-child attachment relationship.

🎧 Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/individuation-adolescence-and-attachment-ep-697/id1157223571?i=1000739424581

One of the central tenets of Strong Minds is building a solution-focused mindset. Rather than dwelling on problems or ob...
01/29/2026

One of the central tenets of Strong Minds is building a solution-focused mindset. Rather than dwelling on problems or obstacles, this approach directs energy toward clear, actionable steps forward. Research in cognitive behavioral therapy demonstrates that solution-oriented thinking is linked to lower anxiety and depression and greater self-efficacy. This doesn't mean ignoring challenges. It means reframing them as opportunities for growth and intentional action.

Get connected to a provider today and build your Strong Mind at www.catalystforchange.org!

Last week, Catalyst for Change joined "Live Under the Big Sky" on KLTZ Radio in Glasgow to discuss expanding access to m...
01/26/2026

Last week, Catalyst for Change joined "Live Under the Big Sky" on KLTZ Radio in Glasgow to discuss expanding access to mental health care across Montana.

Founder and CEO Amber Martinsen and Clinical Specialist Helaina Miller highlighted how Catalyst for Change strengthens rural communities by reducing stigma, building clear pathways to care, and ensuring individuals and families know support is available.

We’re grateful to hosts Stan Ozark and Hayley Young for leading a thoughtful, community-driven conversation.

🎙️ Listen to the full interview here:
https://soundcloud.com/kltz-glasgow

➡️ Provider Spotlight: Jesse Bergren, LACJesse Bergren is a Licensed Addiction Counselor and the owner of Bear Paw Recov...
01/22/2026

➡️ Provider Spotlight: Jesse Bergren, LAC

Jesse Bergren is a Licensed Addiction Counselor and the owner of Bear Paw Recovery Center in Havre, Montana. Born and raised in Havre, Jesse is deeply rooted in the community he serves. He earned his education from Stone Child College and obtained his LAC in 2010.

Motivated to reduce barriers to care in rural Montana, Jesse opened Bear Paw Recovery Center in 2019, initially offering virtual treatment to increase accessibility. Since then, the center has grown into a State-Approved Substance Use Disorder Facility providing ASAM 2.1 Intensive Outpatient services across eight Montana counties.

Jesse is a client-centered counselor who believes in meeting individuals where they are. He incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and group therapy to support clients on their recovery journey.

When he’s not working, Jesse can be found in his woodshop crafting handmade art or spending time with his wife and granddaughter, P***y.

Jesse’s dedication to breaking down barriers in rural communities makes him an essential partner in our work at Catalyst for Change!

Silence can make thoughts of su***de feel heavier. That’s why open, honest conversations matter. Creating opportunities ...
01/20/2026

Silence can make thoughts of su***de feel heavier. That’s why open, honest conversations matter. Creating opportunities to talk about hard feelings builds hope, strengthens trust, and makes it easier to reach out during future challenges.

Not sure what to say? Watch the powerful video below to learn simple, compassionate ways to support someone who might need help.

🔗 “Suicide: What To Say To Someone Who Is Thinking About Suicide” by the Stanford Center for Health Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBMpwlB0C14

Are you a provider with a heart for serving rural Montana?Join our growing telehealth network of 70+ mental health profe...
01/15/2026

Are you a provider with a heart for serving rural Montana?

Join our growing telehealth network of 70+ mental health professionals dedicated to providing rural residents with immediate access to licensed psychiatrists and therapists within 72 hours of a crisis.

Help us bridge the gaps in mental healthcare for our rural communities. Reach out today to become a part of our network!

www.catalystforchange.org

Join us in advocating for mental health awareness in Montana. The mental health crisis in our state is real, and by regi...
01/13/2026

Join us in advocating for mental health awareness in Montana. The mental health crisis in our state is real, and by registering for a Catalyst for Change license plate, you’ll help spread awareness and support those who need it most.

Your vehicle can serve as a reminder to a neighbor, friend, or family member that they are not alone. You may never know how much a simple gesture like this could mean to someone who’s struggling.

Together, we can be the catalyst our communities need. Let’s break the stigma and make mental health a priority in Montana!

🔗 Ready to make a difference? Update your license plates now: https://mvdmt.gov/portfolio-item/catalyst-for-change/

Meet Ryan Tolleson Knee, LCSW, PhD one of the newest members of our Catalyst for Change team! 🌟 With decades of experien...
01/08/2026

Meet Ryan Tolleson Knee, LCSW, PhD one of the newest members of our Catalyst for Change team! 🌟 With decades of experience across clinical practice, education, and leadership, Ryan brings depth, perspective, and a steady presence that strengthen our work and the rural communities we serve.

A little about Ryan: Dr. Tolleson Knee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with four decades of experience in the mental health field. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Montana, his master’s degree at Eastern Washington University, and his doctorate at the University of Denver. Licensed since 1992, he has worked across nearly every level of the mental health system, providing therapy to individuals and couples, teaching and mentoring future therapists, and developing treatment and prevention programs as an executive director.

Ryan specializes in working with adolescents and adults facing anxiety, depression, and major life transitions, and helping couples resolve conflict, strengthen communication, and build lasting relationships. He has also published academic journal articles on clinical social work and human service leadership.

Address

P. O. Box 1768
Big Timber, MT
59011

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm
Saturday 7am - 5pm
Sunday 7am - 5pm

Telephone

+14063257042

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