Alison, is Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC) in the State of Montana, and an LCPC in Texas. Alison is dedicated to helping individuals navigate the challenges of addiction and mental health. With a passion for supporting those who face these struggles, she brings a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to her work. Alison believes that recovery is a deeply personal journey, where the answers lie within the individual. Her role is to provide unwavering support and guidance as her clients and their families work toward achieving a healthier and more fulfilling life.

As the founder and owner of Beautiful Directions Counseling, Alison has created a space where individuals can find hope and healing. She is committed to fostering an environment where clients feel safe, supported, and empowered to take control of their recovery. Through her practice, she emphasizes the importance of meeting clients where they are, offering customized care that respects their unique experiences and needs.

Alison's philosophy centers on the idea that recovery is not about fixing what is broken, but about helping individuals rise above life's obstacles and reclaim their strength. Her goal is to guide clients in building the tools necessary for lasting change, whether they are struggling with addiction, mental health conditions, or the complex interplay of both.

Her practice reflects her belief that, with the right support, anyone can overcome life's challenges and find a path to lasting recovery.

Leif Welhaven is the Chief Operating Officer here at Beautiful Directions Counseling.

Leif is a Billings native and he is all about Community and Connection. He spends his time, talents, and energies as an active member of the “Exchange Club” where he helps support and train service clubs and members across the US that serve Kids, Communities, Veterans, and the Prevention of Child Abuse. Leif is also a founder of a New Men’s Service Group here in Billings called MC3 – Magic City Century Club. MC3 is a group of committed guys in the valley who come together quarterly to give of their resources to serve Kids, Veterans, Fire, Police, Emergency Responders and Men’s Mental Health organizations, etc. Leif has a passion for Mental Health, as well as Addiction & Recovery as he is a self-proclaimed “addict” who is very active in the Recovery Community here in Billings & Beyond.

Leif is a proven Coach, Mentor, Speaker, and Orator. In fact, he gave his 1st TEDx Billings Talk back in 2022. He delivered a talk called G.I.F.T.S. and challenges people daily to share their GIFTS with others to make a positive impact in their communities. Leif is also a Wedding Officiant, Funeral Celebrant, Event Planner and DJ in all of his spare time. In the rest of his spare time, Leif likes to ride his Harley Davidson and enjoys spending time with his dogs: Paris, Milan, and Percy. Leif has 2 grown children (Colton) who is a Certified Financial Planner and (Hope) who is a research Doctor at the University of San Francisco.

Leif can be reached at 406.855.6595 or leifw.bdc@outlook.com

Kelly has worked in health care for more than twenty-five years. Her career began as a nursing assistant in medical surgical units, where she learned the importance of patience, responsibility, and steady care. After seven years, she moved into mental health. This shift brought a new set of challenges and required her to rethink how care, safety, and trust are built. Through this work, Kelly was also faced with her own unresolved trauma and her use of alcohol as a way to cope. Recovery became an important part of her personal and professional growth. A book that deeply influenced Kelly was In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Dr. Gabor Maté. It helped her understand addiction as a response to pain rather than a personal failure. This perspective shaped her commitment to trauma informed care and harm mitigation. Kelly’s roles in patient support and compliance are informed by both her personal recovery journey and her professional experience. To her, compliance is not about control or punishment. It is about reducing harm, increasing safety, and protecting dignity. Kelly works to apply trauma informed principles in ways that support people while still meeting regulatory and organizational requirements. Technology has played an important role in this process. Kelly has used and developed tools that support recovery, clarity, and informed choice. One of these tools is the TIMVT, the Trauma Informed Media Vetting Tool. TIMVT applies trauma informed care and harm mitigation principles to entertainment choices. It helps individuals and groups think carefully about shared media, especially in recovery and care settings, where emotional safety matters. Beautiful Directions grew out of this combined experience of care, compliance, personal recovery, and technology. It reflects her belief that healing happens best in environments that are thoughtful, respectful, and supportive. Kelly’s work is focused on reducing harm, supporting recovery, and helping people move forward with greater safety and confidence.

Randi has been the Business Office Manager at Beautiful Directions Counseling since April 2025, overseeing scheduling, billing, and daily administrative operations. She is often the first point of contact for clients, ensuring that every interaction—whether by phone, email, or in person—is welcoming, organized, and stress-free.

Her passion for helping others stems from early experiences with her family: watching her grandmother serve with the Ladies Guild for Teen Challenge (a faith based adult and teen life recovery center), participating in fundraisers with her grandmother for Teen Challenge, and seeing the positive impact her father and grandfather had by hiring graduates of the program. These experiences as well as some of her own struggles in life have inspired Randi to support others and to see the good in everyone she meets.

Outside of work, Randi enjoys spending time with her husband and 6 kids, watching her children play sports, and cherishing moments with family and her 3 nieces. She also loves baking and celebrating the little joys in life, bringing that same warmth and care into her communication with clients.

Kourtney is a dedicated and compassionate future mental health professional with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Montana State University - Billings. She is currently working toward her Master of Social Work through The University of North Dakota and is driven by a deep commitment to the special needs community. Her path toward becoming a therapist began with four and a half years as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), where she worked closely with children with autism and their families, finding her purpose in helping others access meaningful support.

Currently, Kourtney is working toward her licensure in addictions counseling. Her approach to care is rooted in a strong belief in people’s potential and the idea that everyone deserves support, encouragement, and resources that can enhance their lives.

When not immersed in work or studies, Kourtney enjoys hunting, fishing, baking, reading, and spending quality time with her husband and dogs.

Haley is a Social Worker Licensed Candidate who works with children ages 10 and older, teens, and adults. She specializes in mental health and substance use evaluations, offering a compassionate and nonjudgmental approach to support individuals through life’s challenges. 

Haley is passionate about ending the stigma surrounding mental health and believes in the motto, “It’s okay not to be okay.” She understands what emotional pain can feel like and is committed to walking alongside her clients as they navigate their journey of healing, growth, and self-discovery. Her goal is to create a safe and supportive space where people can express themselves freely and feel empowered in their emotions. 

In addition to her clinical background, Haley has training in Level 1 Gottman Relationship Counseling, allowing her to support couples and individuals in developing healthy communication patterns and stronger relationships. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Eastern Washington University and her Master’s in Social Work from Walla Walla University. 

Haley’s empathetic, authentic, and client-centered approach helps her clients feel seen, heard, and supported as they work toward meaningful change in their lives. 

Deb is an SWLC and ACLC and has been working in the mental health field for the past four years. She specializes in helping clients who are navigating addiction, individuals within the LGBTQIA community, and those managing chronic illnesses. Deb works with both teens and adults, using a range of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gestalt Therapy, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy. She is also certified in Gottman Level 1 for relationship therapy. Deb is dedicated to creating a non-judgmental and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to explore their challenges and pursue personal growth.

Before her work in mental health, Deb had a career in case management, where she provided vital assistance to clients living with HIV. Her experience working with diverse populations has shaped her commitment to treating all individuals with respect and meeting them where they are in their unique journeys. Deb has contributed her expertise to several boards, including the Montana Human Rights Network, Not In Our Town Billings, the Yellowstone AIDS Project, and the Continuum of Care (CoC), which focuses on housing and services for individuals experiencing homelessness. She currently serves as a board member of the Professional Association of Social Work in HIV/AIDS (PASWA).

Rhianna is a Licensed Candidate Social Worker, soon to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She primarily works with adults and teens but has a strong passion for supporting older individuals as they navigate life transitions and grief. Rhianna is certified in Gerontology, Level 1 Gottman Method, and Level 1 Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and has received training in Trauma-Informed Care, SBIRT, and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) assessments.

Rhianna is committed to guiding individuals through the challenges and transitions of life. With a mindset of continuous learning and growth, she is dedicated to not giving up on anyone willing to put in the effort toward their own healing. Rhianna is eager to be a part of each client’s unique journey toward recovery and personal growth.

Nene is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling student with a background in crisis intervention, case management, and advocacy. Before transitioning into counseling, she gained extensive experience across the social work spectrum, including serving at the child abuse hotline, crisis text line, and moral injury groups. Her career has been defined by supporting vulnerable populations, from coordinating housing for veterans to providing case management at a chemical dependency center.

Nene holds a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics with a minor in Chinese from the United States Naval Academy and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from American University. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University. 

Nene’s unique perspective is further shaped by her military service. As a veteran of the United States Navy, her background provides her with a specialized understanding of the military community, moral injury, and the resilience required to navigate high-stress environments.

Nene is committed to walking alongside her clients as they reclaim their narrative and build a foundation for long-term healing.