Elizabeth (Betty) Bruen, MS, PCLC
Welcome!
Hi I’m Betty. I’m the oldest of four daughters and grew up surrounded by strong, capable women. Their influence shaped the way I see the world and continues to inform the empowerment-based approach I bring to counseling.
I moved from Maine to Montana in search of mountains, adventure, and community. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me hiking, biking, skiing, reading, or spending time with family and friends in the outdoors.
What Led Me to Become a Therapist
A longstanding fascination with the human experience, what shapes us, how we make meaning of our lives, and what helps us heal and grow, first took root during my undergraduate degree in psychology. After several years working in other fields, that curiosity ultimately led me back to counseling.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked with seniors, and something clarified. Witnessing people’s resilience, grief, adaptation, and need for connection during such a challenging time reinforced something I had long felt. That experience led me to pursue my Master’s degree and dedicate myself fully to this work.
What This Work Has Taught Me
What surprised me most was how much healing happens through simple, consistent human connection. I expected technique to be at the center of this work. What I found is that the relationship itself is often the most powerful thing. I’ve also been moved by the resilience people carry, even when they don’t see it in themselves yet.
How I Work
I take a holistic view of each person. You are more than a set of symptoms or challenges, and I think about you that way. Different parts of your life, your relationships, your work, your health, your sense of identity, all of it interacts and shapes how you feel. Together, we begin to explore those connections in a way that brings clarity and a sense of possibility.
My approach is grounded in warmth and compassion, and reflects my belief in the strength that exists within each person. In a first session, I want you to feel safe, heard, and met without judgment. By the end of that hour, I hope you feel a sense of relief, a beginning of clarity about what you’re carrying, and a sense of where we might start.
Who I Work Best With
I feel especially drawn to working with people in their 20s, a time that can be powerful for deepening self-understanding, strengthening intuition, and making choices that feel more aligned with who you actually are. I also work with athletes, particularly around identity and self-expression. And more broadly, I love supporting anyone in a season of change who is looking for a more grounded, intentional way of living.
Outside the Office
I tend to my own wellbeing by moving my body in whatever way feels right for the day, whether that is something challenging, something gentle, or simply rest. I have learned over time that taking care of my physical self is essential to everything else. I also stay rooted by prioritizing time with the people I love.
If You’re Nervous About Starting
It is completely natural to feel nervous, especially when you are stepping into something new and personal. What matters most is finding the right therapist, someone you feel safe with, understood by, and able to be yourself around. I encourage you to trust your own sense of what feels right, and know that it is okay to take your time. If you think I might be the right therapist for you, please feel free to reach out.
“anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive
is too small for you.”
— David Whyte
Modalities:
Narrative Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Somatic Therapy
Person Centered Therapy
Attachment Theory
Specialties:
Family Dynamics
Athletes
Education:
Undergraduate – BS in Psychology, University of Montana
Graduate Degree - MS in Mental Health Counseling, Montana State University
License:
Montana BBH-PCLC-LIC-72460