Therapy for
Outdoor athletes & guides
Athletes, Guides, Ski Patrollers, Hunters, Anglers, & Weekend warriors…
this is for you…
Moving through mountains, rivers, and trails in Montana is part of who you are. And, whether you work seasonally as a guide, or you get after it on the weekends, there are peaks and valleys to life in Montana. There are twists & turns, peaks & valleys on this river we call life. And, you do not have to navigate things on your own.
What motivates you to live the life you live?
Athletes, guides, weekend warriors, and other people who live and play in Montana often seek out my counseling services for issues like:
Relationship issues & conflicts
Anxiety or depression
Substance abuse concerns
Grief and loss
Work-related issues
Difficulty finding work and life balance
Many athletes and guides I work with describe feeling a “disconnect” between who they are as athletes, and who they are in their own minds and in their relationships.
In my work as a therapist, I have found that many athletes and people who live in Montana come to develop their sense of: Identity, Meaning, Purpose, Validation, Connection that is wrapped up in the sports and lifestyles that they pursue. And, if we are not in alignment we can end up feeling lost or lonely.
This is were you get to explore and identify your motivations, true identity, drives, and needs. In the therapy room I often hear hear athletes say “I am a skier… I am a boater… I am a hunter…”, and I help folks identify and develop aspects of their identity that reach beyond sports and lifestyle choices.
The extremes of the risk-reward balance of adventure sports can take a toll emotionally. It can be difficult to perform your best when your mental wellbeing is off balance.
Working and playing in the mountains can provide connection, adrenaline, joy, community, and a sense of accomplishment. It is an immersive and intense environment that can also leave us experiencing stress and feeling disconnected or “stuck”.
You want to wake up in the morning and feeling stoked and focused. You want to feel like you are reaching your full potential athletically or at least that you are able to focus on your goals. It would be nice to feel like neither work or play is currently taking over your life... Like you are able to feel happy and fulfilled, even when it’s not a powder day at the ski resort.
Counseling for athletes in montana.
Hello, I'm Burket. I am a licensed therapist in Whitefish, Montana.
As a therapist and a professional guide I know that people like you, who work in or even just play really hard in the wilderness, often have their own unique set of struggles.
It can be difficult to perform your best when your mental wellbeing is off balance.
I started my career as a backcountry guide when I was still in high school. I spent over a decade as a rafting and snowboard guide, outdoor educator, and backcountry ranger in California, Arizona, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and internationally. I have professional certifications beyond the therapy office including: certifications in Wilderness Medicine, Avalanche Forecasting, and risk management.
My personal pursuits continue to involve explorations of wild landscapes.
When I’m not in the office you might find me on the trail, in an eddy, or heading up a skin track.
Because of all this experience, I know what it’s like to get to the the top of a climb and back off from a big line. I have watched coworkers, clients, and community members struggle to make it to the trailhead due to too much stress. I know how down our community of guides and athletes can feel when the snow conditions are poor.
I also know that finding a flow that allows for balance between sports and personal/ home life can be difficult.
I take this personal experience and match it with advanced clinical training to meet people like you, so you can feel heard and supported.
As a therapist…
I see my role as your therapist as a guide to your emotional wellness.
We will often spend time talking about what your life looks like now vs what you would like it to be. I'll help you to figure out your priorities and we will work out ways to make those priorities actually stick.
If you are looking for a counselor who understands the unique dynamics of balancing front-country life, with high-risk pursuits in the mountains…
Book a Consultation.
Your path forward begins when you reach out to book a free 20 minute consultation.
My office is in Whitefish, and I provide video sessions across Montana.