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Kelsey McFarland, LCSW
Individual DBT Therapist for Teens and Families and DBT Skills Training Group FacilitatorMissoula, MTshe/her

Kelsey McFarland

LCSW

Montana DBT Associates

A warm, directive DBT approach that invites clients to build insight, practice skills, and work toward balance.

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About Kelsey

“As a clinician, she takes a warm, directive, and authentic approach to create a safe and supportive environment that invites clients to build insight and achieve balance.”
From Kelsey’s bio

Kelsey (she/her) graduated from The University of Nebraska in Omaha, with a Master of Social Work degree from the Grace Abbott School of Social Work. She became a licensed clinical social worker in 2021.

Kelsey has worked with children, families, and adults since 2008 in various settings, including Missoula's Children's Museum and Families First. She's worked globally and nationally at schools, children's shelters, day rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and inpatient settings.

Kelsey has found that DBT is a wonderful modality not only to teach and practice with clients but also to utilize the skills and live by the balance of acceptance and change in her own life.

Approach to care

As a clinician, she takes a warm, directive, and authentic approach to create a safe and supportive environment that invites clients to build insight and achieve balance.

Beyond the therapy room

In her free time she finds relaxation being in or around nature, reading, learning how to paint with watercolor, embroidery work, and spending time with her friends and family.

Education & Credentials

Professional credentials

LCSW

Individual DBT Therapist for Teens and Families and DBT Skills Training Group Facilitator

Education, training & experience

  • Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Montana, Missoula (2012)

  • Master of Social Work, Grace Abbott School of Social Work, University of Nebraska at Omaha (2018)

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (2021)

  • DBT Skills for Adolescents and Families, PsychWire (2023, again in 2026)

  • Applied DBT Skills for Anger and Shame, PsychWire (2026)

  • Optimizing Eating Disorder Treatment with DBT, Portland DBT Institute (2025)

  • DBT: Assessment & Treatment Strategies for Self-Directed Violence & Suicidal Ideation, Ecare Behavioral Health Institute (2025)

  • Introduction to the MED-DBT Protocol: A Compassionate and Comprehensive Approach to Treating Multifaceted Eating Disorders, Portland DBT Institute (2025)

  • Behaviorism for DBT Therapists, Portland DBT Institute (2025)

  • Clinical Credibility: Challenging Pseudoscience with Ethical and Evidence-Based Practice, Portland DBT Institute (2025)

  • Back into the Book: Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder by Marsha Linehan, a book study with Shari Manning, PhD, Treatment Implementation Collaborative (2024)

  • Body Image, Disordered Eating, and Gender Identity: Integrative Strategies to Help Clients Navigate Life in Their Bodies, PESI (2024)

  • Integrating DBT into Couple & Family Sessions, Rebelmente (2024)

  • DBT Foundational, Behavioral Tech (2023)

  • Engaging with Trauma, Dissociation, and Resiliency, Waxwing Psychotherapy (2023)

  • 3-Day Dialectical Behavior Therapy Certification Training with Lane Pederson, PESI (2022)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training with Michael May, PESI (2022)

  • Decolonizing Diet Culture and Eating Disorder Treatment, Chicago Minds (2022)

  • Motivational Interviewing, NASW (2022)

  • Treating the Eating Disorder Self: A Comprehensive Model for the Social Work Therapist, NASW (2021)

  • Understanding Body Image, NASW (2021)

How Kelsey Can Help

DBT skills

Her training includes DBT Foundational Training through Behavioral Tech and DBT Skills for Adolescents and Families through PsychWire.

Insight and balance

A warm, directive, and authentic approach invites clients to build insight and work toward balance.

Experience with children and families

Her background includes work with children, families, and adults since 2008 in community, educational, and clinical settings.

Ready to work with Kelsey?

Reach out to our intake team to discuss your needs, ask about current availability, and explore whether this is a good fit.

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