http://www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sfQLJjDCQiuSk05R1mAt5QWXGWX7bNno/view?usp=shari

Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance, 926 Main Street, Ste 14, Billings, MT (2026)

05/18/2026

Recovery doesn’t end when someone leaves treatment. It’s shaped by the communities and workplaces they return to every day. This conference roundtable facilitator will be leading an important conversation about creating recovery-friendly workplaces that reduce stigma, support well-being, and help individuals sustain long-term recovery.

Meet Shannan Sproull, MA!

Shannan brings extensive experience in substance use prevention, youth development, and community-based care. She began her career as a Youth Development Coordinator, later earning her master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Montana and spending a decade as a school counselor.

Shannan then returned to the nonprofit sector as a Youth Prevention Specialist and Program Director for United Way of Missoula County, where she led a community coalition focused on addressing substance use. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Recovery Friendly Montana, overseeing the Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative and advancing recovery-supportive practices across the state.

Come find Shannan at this year’s Bridging the Gaps Conference: www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/conference

05/17/2026

about cannabis in mental health and healthcare are evolving quickly but many providers are left navigating questions without clear guidance or shared understanding. This roundtable facilitator brings a unique blend of advocacy, policy expertise, and real-world experience to an important conversation about cannabis therapeutics and their growing role in care.

Meet Kari Boiter!

Kari will be facilitating a roundtable discussion on Cannabis Therapeutics, creating space for thoughtful dialogue around emerging perspectives, practical considerations, and the evolving landscape of cannabis-related care.

Kari is an award-winning advocate, community organizer, and campaign strategist with extensive experience in public policy, healthcare, and criminal justice reform. She has become a nationally recognized expert in medical cannabis, helping author and pass historic reforms at both the state and national level while building bridges across diverse viewpoints to create meaningful collaboration.

Her advocacy work has been featured by major media outlets including The New York Times, CNN, NPR, TIME, and more. In 2024, Kari was selected to present at the TED Democracy and is also recognized as Montana’s first Certified Ganjier™, bringing a thoughtful and informed perspective to this evolving area of conversation.

Join Kari at this year's Bridging the Gaps event: www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/conference

05/17/2026

What if the biggest thing holding the mental health field back isn’t a lack of passion but a lack of collaboration? This Bridging the Gaps Conference speaker is challenging the isolation, competition, and scarcity mindset that can exist in helping professions and offering a powerful vision for what becomes possible when providers build trust, connection, and ethical partnerships across disciplines.

Meet Sara Beth Wald, BASW MAJ!

Sara will be sharing a presentation about “Building a Culture of Collaboration in Mental Health” and leading a Roundtable small-group discussion on building trust between licensed and non-traditional practitioners.

Sara is a former social worker and journalist with over 20 years of experience spanning human services, higher education, nonprofit leadership, media, and corporate communication. Her interdisciplinary background reflects a deep commitment to mental health advocacy and public education.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Montana and a Master of Arts in Journalism from Michigan State University. Sara is the founder of Redefining Love, a trauma-informed model focused on disrupting cycles of harm through boundaries, accountability, and grace.

An Amazon bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and educator, Sara’s work bridges clinical and community-based approaches to healing while promoting collaboration, resilience, and compassion.

Find Sara Beth at this year’s Bridging the Gaps Conference: www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/conference

05/17/2026

Strong mental health systems aren’t built by one profession alone! They’re built through collaboration, advocacy, and shared vision. This Bridging the Gaps Conference speaker will be bringing a systems-focused perspective on how providers, agencies, and organizations can work together to strengthen mental health care across Montana.

Meet Nathan Stahley, MSW, SWLC!

Nathan will be presenting as a Plenary Speaker sharing state updates in mental health alongside Lynelle Amen, MA, LCPC.

Nathan brings nearly 20 years of experience working across public health and social service settings. He currently serves as Executive Director for the National Association of Social Workers Montana and Idaho Chapters, where he focuses on advancing the profession and strengthening the behavioral health workforce.

His background includes work in su***de prevention, trauma-informed care, public health programming, and community-based behavioral health initiatives. Through leadership, advocacy, and systems development, Nathan has remained deeply committed to improving access to care and supporting healthier communities.

Come hear what Nathan has to share at Bridging the Gaps: www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/conference

05/17/2026

Children don’t always communicate their experiences, emotions, or needs through words alone and for neurodivergent children, being truly understood often requires a different lens altogether. One speaker at the Bridging the Gaps Conference will be bringing deep expertise in child development, play therapy, and neurodivergent support, along with a strong commitment to strengthening mental health care within our communities.

Meet Megan Henderson, M.Ed, LCPC-S, RPT-S, NCC!

Megan will be featured on the lunchtime panel alongside other local mental health leaders as well as facilitating a roundtable small-group discussion on Play Therapy and Neurodivergence.

A Billings native, Megan earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Rocky Mountain College and later completed her Master’s of Education in School Counseling at Montana State University Billings. She has been practicing as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor since 2016 and is also an LCPC Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, Certified Synergetic Play Therapist, and Nationally Certified Counselor.

Megan is the founder of Big Sky Behavioral Health, which she launched in 2017 and has since grown into a thriving group practice. Passionate about expanding high-quality play therapy services, she now provides training, education, and supervision to clinicians throughout the region.

Through her work with children, families, and clinicians, Megan is deeply committed to helping create supportive, developmentally attuned spaces where neurodivergent children can feel understood, empowered, and connected.

Come hear what Megan has to share at Bridging the Gaps: www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/conference

05/16/2026

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation and neither does building a stronger mental health system. This Bridging the Gaps Conference speaker is bringing an important conversation about collaboration, connection, and the future of mental health care in Montana, highlighting how cross-discipline partnerships can strengthen support for both providers and communities alike.

Meet Lynelle Amen, MA, LCPC!

Lynelle will be presenting as a Plenary Speaker sharing state updates in mental health alongside Nathan Stahley, MSW, SWLC.

Lynelle is a trauma-focused therapist specializing in care across the lifespan, with a particular emphasis on supporting child survivors of sexual abuse. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care and values collaboration as a key component of effective treatment.

An active member of the Professional Counselors Association of Montana, Lynelle remains engaged in ongoing professional growth and connection within the counseling community. Her work reflects a strong commitment to ethical practice, continued learning, and strengthening the field.

Join Lynelle at Bridging the Gaps: www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/conference

05/16/2026

Sometimes the most meaningful breakthroughs in therapy happen beyond words. This Bridging the Gaps roundtable facilitator is exploring creative, hands-on interventions that help youth express emotions, build regulation skills, and engage more deeply in the therapeutic process.

Meet Lindsey Suchy, LCPC, who will be leading a small group discussion on creative, hands-on interventions that support emotional expression, regulation, and engagement in youth therapy.

Lindsey has worked in the mental health field since 2008, beginning as a Family Support Worker and later transitioning into clinical roles within public schools. She earned her master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling in 2012 and brings extensive experience in treatment planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and navigating complex family systems.

Since 2015, Lindsey has been in private practice, working with children and young adults while partnering closely with families to support growth and resilience. As both a parent and a professional musician, she offers a unique perspective, especially in supporting creatives navigating self-expression and emotional well-being.

Come explore creativity with Lindsey at Bridging the Gaps: www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/conference

05/16/2026

Strong mental health care happens when providers, systems, and communities work together to meet people where they are. This Bridging the Gaps speaker brings decades of experience in behavioral health, addiction treatment, and integrated care, offering valuable insight into what it takes to expand access and improve outcomes across our communities.

Meet Sandi Karr, M.Ed., LAC, LCPC!

Sandi will be joining other local mental health leaders on our lunchtime panel, sharing how collaboration and innovation are helping bridge gaps in behavioral health care right here in Montana.

Sandi is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Licensed Addiction Counselor with extensive experience treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She currently serves as Director of Behavioral Health Services at RiverStone Health, where she helps integrate behavioral health into primary care settings and supports the education of future medical providers through the Montana Family Medicine Residency program.

With specialized training in trauma-focused approaches including EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Sandi brings deep clinical expertise and a passion for trauma-informed, integrated care. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to strengthening systems of care and improving access to meaningful, whole-person behavioral health support.

Come hear what Sandi has to share at Bridging the Gaps: www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/conference

05/15/2026

What if the body has been trying to speak all along but we’ve just never learned how to listen? This Bridging the Gaps speaker will be bringing an experiential conversation on somatic breathwork, nervous system regulation, and the power of slowing down enough to reconnect with what the body is holding beneath the surface.

Meet Kevin Lundstrom, who will be leading one of our conference sessions, “Somatic Breathwork: Letting the Body Speak.”

Kevin is a somatic breathwork facilitator who integrates performance, presence, and nervous system regulation into his work. Raised on Montana’s Hi-Line in Malta and now based in Montana City, he brings both lived experience and professional insight to supporting resilience and well-being.

With 27 years in medical sales, including leadership roles within Fortune 500 companies, Kevin understands the demands of high-pressure careers and family life. His path into breathwork emerged while raising four children and seeking tools for balance and regulation.

Today, Kevin helps individuals cultivate greater connection, authenticity, and embodied well-being amid the pressures of everyday life.

Join Kevin at Bridging the Gaps: www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/conference

05/15/2026

Not attending the full conference but still want to connect?

We’ve had a few people ask if they could join us for the Day 1 Evening Social at Bridging the Gaps… and the answer is YES!

Come mingle with mental health professionals, helping professionals, community partners, and others passionate about mental wellness in Montana. This is a relaxed, casual opportunity to build connections, meet new people, and enjoy some great conversation.

📍 Billings Hotel & Convention Center Lounge
🗓 Thursday, May 21 | 5:00–7:00 PM
🍴 Hors d’oeuvres included
🎟 Community Pass: $15

If you’ve been wanting to get more connected in the mental health community, this is a great place to start!

Register at https://registration.guidebook.com/437404d2-8cdc-11f0-bdab-c9b1788486fa

05/15/2026

What if some of the very treatments being praised for “health” are quietly fueling harm beneath the surface? One speaker at the Bridging the Gaps Conference will be tackling the complex intersection of GLP-1 medications, malnutrition, eating disorders, and weight bias and challenging us to rethink how we define care, health, and healing.

Meet Katherine Campbell, RD, LN!

Katie will be sharing her presentation, Hidden in Plain Sight: GLP-1s, Malnutrition and Weight Bias in Eating Disorder Care. You can also meet up with her at a Roundtable to explore eating disorders.

Katie is a registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating counselor who provides in-person care in Bozeman and virtual support across Montana. She is dedicated to helping individuals build a healthier relationship with food, body, and overall well-being, free from the pressures of diet culture.

Her work is grounded in a weight-inclusive, individualized approach, supporting clients in rebuilding trust with their bodies and creating sustainable, compassionate healing around food and body image.

Join Katie at this year’s conference: www.ycmentalhealthalliance.com/conference

Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance

05/18/2026

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