We'll see you in July!
2025 Conference Theme
Navigating Adversity: Supporting Individuals While Nurturing Personal Resilience
July 25th 2025
University of Montana | Missoula
Meet Our Speakers
Andrew Laue, LCSW
Keynote Speaker
Andrew R. Laue, LCSW is a psychotherapist in private practice in Missoula and Polson, Montana. In addition to the clinical work he does with individuals, couples and families, he supervises 30 psychotherapists in the Western Montana region. He is the chief trainer for the National Association of Social Workers Montana Chapter’s course in Clinical Supervision. In 2017, he won a National County Association award for his Secondary Trauma Group work with the Missoula County Attorney’s office. He is passionate about creating sustainability for human service professionals through the process of identifying secondary trauma that occurs from the intensity of human service work. He consults with many agencies about the delivery and complexity of mental health practice. These include First Step Missoula at St. Patrick’s Hospital, Partnership for Children, Inter Mountain Mental Health Center, Partnership Health Center, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Social Services Department.
A leader in the LGBT community in Montana, Andrew has developed cutting edge interventions for diverse groups including his HIV prevention work with the MSM and IDU population, for which he won the Governor’s Award for HIV Prevention in 2003. A decade ago he was part of the development of the award-winning documentary film, Red Without Blue (2007) which has become a founding document in the search for the equitable treatment of transgender people. He resides on the Flathead Reservation in rural Montana, and is passionate in his commitment to serve the Native American population in this region.
Dr. Eric R. Arzubi, MD
Featured Presenter
Dr. Eric Arzubi is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, healthcare entrepreneur, and advocate for mental health reform in rural America. As CEO and co-founder of Frontier Psychiatry, he is committed to expanding access to high-quality psychiatric care through telehealth, ensuring that underserved communities receive the care they need.
Dr. Arzubi is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale Child Study Center, where he teaches and mentors child psychiatry fellows. Previously, he served as Chair of Psychiatry at Billings Clinic, Montana’s largest health system, where he led the creation of Montana’s first psychiatry residency program and the state's first dedicated psychiatric stabilization unit.
A former Wall Street bond trader, Dr. Arzubi transitioned to medicine, driven by a deep passion for mental health advocacy. His leadership is guided by the Quintuple Aim, emphasizing exceptional patient care, clinician well-being, population health, cost reduction, and health equity. He is a strong proponent of value-based care and innovative solutions that challenge the status quo in psychiatric treatment.
A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Dr. Arzubi regularly shares insights on rural mental health, telepsychiatry, and healthcare leadership. He is currently writing a book on the urgent need for mental health reform, highlighting grassroots advocates driving systemic change.
Dr. Jessica Gerthe, Ph.D., NCC, LCPC
Featured Presenter
Dr. Jessica Gerthe is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at Montana State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Pennsylvania State University, where her research focused on suicide gatekeeper trainings through qualitative content analysis.
A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Approved Clinical Supervisor in Montana, Dr. Gerthe brings over 15 years of experience working with adolescents and young adults in clinical, school, and community-based settings. Her scholarship centers on suicide prevention, self-harm, digital mental health concerns, and training best practices for counselor education.
Dr. Gerthe has extensive experience developing and delivering suicide prevention initiatives, training school personnel in crisis response, and supervising emerging counselors. Through her research and teaching, she is committed to enhancing counselor preparation and advancing evidence-based strategies for working with at-risk populations.
Tara Sorenson, LCPC, LAC
Featured Presenter
Tara Sorenson, LCPC, LAC, is a licensed mental health and addiction counselor specializing in trauma treatment for first responders, healthcare professionals, and high-stress professionals. As an EMDR Certified Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant-in-Training, she integrates trauma-focused interventions to address PTSD, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress.
With extensive experience in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and evidence-based trauma therapies, Tara helps professionals develop resilience, process traumatic experiences, and restore emotional well-being. She is passionate about equipping individuals with tools to prevent compassion fatigue and enhance professional sustainability.
In addition to her clinical work, Tara provides training, consultation, and workshops on trauma-informed care, workplace resilience, and self-care practices. She is committed to supporting those on the front lines of crisis work, offering practical strategies to maintain mental health while continuing to serve others effectively.
Daniel Champer, LCPC
Featured Presenter
Daniel currently serves as the Director of Clinical and Residential Services for Florence Crittenton Family Services. A farm kid from Ohio, Daniel believes in hard work partnered with care and nurture. He has worked for over 15 years in the mental health field and has served as a direct care staff, therapist, clinical supervisor, and clinical director in programs specializing in lockdown residential treatment, sex offender treatment, group home care, school-based services, and outpatient services.
He earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling from Waynesburg University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Daniel specializes in childhood development and complex trauma work throughout the life stages. He is passionate about digging in and coming alongside the tough and complicated situations that so many experience.
He and his wife stay busy after work chasing seven children and a variety of farm animals in an attempt to live simply but fully. Daniel has spent the past decade traveling around Montana training audiences from many professional disciplines as well as interested community members and stakeholders. He enjoys teaching through storytelling gained from his experience in a variety of professional roles as well as lessons learned as a farm kid and a mistake prone human.
Dr. Lillian Martz, PhD
Featured Presenter
Lillian C Martz, Ph.D., PCLC, is an assistant professor in the Counselor Education Department at Portland State University. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Montana in 2024, with a concentration in school counseling. She is currently licensed as a school counselor in Montana and has previously been licensed and employed as a school counselor in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington State.
Dr. Martz’s research interests include school counseling, suicidality and crisis counseling, group counseling, equity in college and career readiness, positive psychology and wellbeing for adolescents and educators, and multicultural issues in the counseling and counselor education fields. She is a past board member with the Montana School Counselor Association (MSCA) having served as the co-chair of the conference committee and chair of the professional development committee. She is currently serving as an editorial assistant for the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Teaching Practice Briefs publication.
Karl Rosston, LCSW
Panelist
Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Karl Rosston is the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. He provides evidenced-based programs to all Montana secondary schools, implements the State Suicide Prevention Plan, supports the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline, implements firearm safety programs and statewide media campaigns, provides suicide prevention trainings, and coordinates suicide prevention efforts around the state. Karl is adjunct faculty at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and a nationally certified trainer in QPR and Mental Health First Aid.
Previously, Karl was the Director of Social Services at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena. Before returning to Montana, he was on the faculty of the University of Colorado, School of Medicine, and a clinical consultant with the Colorado Division of Youth Corrections.
He is a licensed clinical social worker who maintains a small private practice in Helena. He received his Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver and his Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Montana.
Molly Hutchinson, SWLC
Featured Presenter
Molly Hutchinson is a Social Work Licensure Candidate based in Kalispell, Montana, specializing in working with individuals who experience suicidality. She founded Healing Roots Counseling, where client-centered therapy is provided to support those in crisis. Her professional background includes experience at a crisis intervention center and the 988 suicide prevention hotline, offering exposure to suicide prevention efforts in the digital age.
Through this work, Molly has gained an understanding of the challenges people face during moments of emotional distress and the importance of timely, supportive intervention. She aims to help clients build resilience and manage their mental health challenges using evidence-based strategies.
In addition to clinical work, Molly focuses on promoting digital resources for suicide prevention, such as 988, crisis chat, and text lines. These tools are essential in providing immediate support and can contribute to improving accessibility and safety for those in crisis. Her objective is to assist individuals in navigating these resources to ensure they receive the necessary care and support.
Dr. Jennifer Preble, DSW, LCSW
Panelist/Presenter
Jennifer was born and raised in Great Falls, MT. Jennifer completed her Bachelor of Science Degree at Montana Tech of The University of Montana. From there, Jennifer completed her Master's in Social Work from Walla Walla University, and recently completed her Doctorate in Social Work from Walla Walla University as well. Jennifer is now Licensed in the State of Montana as a Clinical Social Worker from the Montana Board of Professional Counselors and Social Workers.
Jennifer has spent years advocating for children and their families both professionally and personally as she is also a Licensed Foster/Adoptive Parent for the Department of Public Health and Human Services; Child and Family Services Division. Jen's clinical expertise is with children and adults suffering from mental illness using a variety of treatment modalities.
Jennifer spends her free time with her son and any other children who might be staying with them temporarily. Jennifer enjoys music, reading, the great outdoors of Montana, and scrapbooking.
Shauna Green, LCPC
Featured Presenter
Shauna Green, CDVC, LCPC, embodies a blend of professional expertise and personal resilience. With eight years of experience, Shauna is a force for positive change. Shauna is the owner of Green Apple Counseling and Rocky Mountain Interventions, with offices serving in both Great Falls and Bozeman. She actively contributes to the adult drug treatment team in Great Falls, serves on the Domestic Violence Task force in Great Falls and Bozeman and works with court-appointed cases, demonstrating her dedication to community well-being.
Shauna find motivation in supervising staff, interns and candidates, shaping the future of counseling. Her expertise has garnered national recognition, highlighted by her presentation on Self Care and Secondary Trauma at the National Drug Court Convention in Houston. Furthermore, she has received awards two years in a row, recognizing her success in business ownership.
Her commitment is deeply rooted in her own journey of transformation. After enduring 25 years of sexual abuse within her marriage, Shauna transformed her experience into a powerful foundation for empowering others, fueling her empathy, deepening her client connections, and highlighting the critical role of self-care. Blessed with four daughters, three sons-in-law, and a grandbaby, she is now remarried, focused on making a lasting difference. Shauna's life and work exemplify the power of resilience, compassion, and a steadfast dedication to empowering individuals and communities.
Jerry Girard, LCPC, LAC
Featured Presenter
Jerry Girard is the Student Health Services Director at Montana State University Billings (MSUB) and the co-owner of Girard Consulting and Education. Jerry is an MT Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor as well as a Licensed Addiction Counselor with thirteen years of counseling experience at two Montana universities – MSUB and Montana Western. Prior to becoming a clinical counselor, Jerry was a high school teacher and coach for thirteen years who worked at Outlook Schools, Judith Gap Schools, and Beaverhead County High School. In addition to providing counseling, outreach, and adjunct teaching at MSUB, Jerry is passionate about providing mental health and stigma reduction programming and trainings such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and QPR Gatekeeper Training to all who are interested. Jerry is also available to host empathy-oriented conference presentations, guest lectures, and coalition building workshops. Jerry currently lives in Billings with Sherri, his wife of 33 years, and has three amazing adult children and two wonderful granddaughters and a grandson on the way.
Dr. Emily Sallee, PhD
Featured Presenter
Since 2008, Lindsey Suchy, LCPC, has worked with at-risk, suicidal youth, from community roles at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR) and school-based CSCT programs to founding Silver Line Counseling in 2015. Her experience reveals a critical paradox: while suicide awareness campaigns aim to destigmatize and prevent, they may inadvertently normalize suicidal behavior in the digital age.
Drawing on research into suicide contagion (e.g., the Werther effect), which links media-reported suicides to subsequent increases in rates, this presentation argues that frequent exposure—amplified by news and social platforms—can shift perceptions, making suicide seem routine rather than rare.
Lindsey’s approach, honed through years of maintaining calm, connected presence with clients, emphasizes mindfulness and safe exploration of thoughts without vilification. Yet, she questions whether broader awareness efforts undermine this by over-saturating public consciousness. This talk critiques the unintended consequences of digital-age visibility, proposing mindful, evidence-based alternatives that balance awareness with containment to protect vulnerable populations, particularly youth.
Susanne Hill
Featured Presenter
Susanne was born and raised on a fi ve-generation Angus cattle ranch in rural Montana. She graduated from Montana State University with a degree in community health and, through a career rich in sales and management, has developed an excellent ability to foster strong relationships and partnerships.
Susanne has owned several businesses and her professional experience has spanned multiple industries such as vocational rehabilitation, healthcare, real estate, hospitality and journalism.
For the past 15 years, Susanne has owned/published several community newspapers, where she's gained a thorough understanding of strong communities - and the role healthcare systems play within them. And, since 2021, as Strategic Initiatives Director with SIM-MT, she’s been enjoying working toward ensuring that health organizations have the support they need to sustainably care for the communities they serve and their own teams.
Carolyn Lam
Featured Presenter
Carolyn holds Bachelors of Arts degrees in both Political Science and Public Administration with a minor in Classical Studies from Carroll College in Helena, Montana. She is a fund development professional with over 20 years experience in the philanthropy space, particularly in major gift procurement and leadership. Throughout her career she has served in many sectors including: politics, religion, the arts, human services, land conservation and healthcare.
Presently she is the Development Director for SIM-MT and is laser-focused on organizational sustainability via individual, corporate and foundational fundraising. Carolyn is excited to serve SIM-MT and hopes her experience in philanthropy will help buoy and advance this extraordinary mission!
Conference Sponsors
The Montana Conference on Suicide Prevention would not be possible without the invaluable partnership of our sponsors. Their financial commitment enables us to offer high-quality content and continuing education, free of charge to attendees, strengthening our collective fight against suicide.
Collaborators for Healing
Advocates for HOPE
Thank you to our Conference Sponsors.
Interested in Sponsoring? Click here for details.
Sponsorship Opportunity
We're looking for sponsors whose work aligns with our vitally important mission. Help us continue to bring this high-quality content to Montana at no cost to attendees.
Why be a sponsor?
- Raise Awareness: Your sponsorship helps raise awareness about the issue and increase public education on the topic.
- Show Support: Sponsorship shows support for those who have been affected by suicide and demonstrates a commitment to suicide prevention efforts.
- Networking Opportunities: Network with other organizations and individuals who are dedicated to preventing suicide.
- Promote Products or Services: Sponsorship can also provide an opportunity for sponsors to promote their products or services that are related to behavioral health and suicide prevention.
- Demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility: Your sponsorship demonstrates your company's commitment to corporate social responsibility and its dedication to making a positive impact on society.
- Strengthen Relationships: Strengthen relationships with stakeholders and partners in the behavioral health and suicide prevention communities.
- Advance the Field: By expanding the exposure and reach of expert knowledge, together we are advancing the field with more effective strategies for preventing suicide.
- All or part of your sponsorship may be tax deductible as a charitable contribution. AFSP's Tax ID# 13-3393329
- The conference provides FREE suicide prevention strategies to as many people from across the state. Attendance is free and continuing education units are also offered at no charge for Behavioral Health professionals, Registered Nurses, and Teachers.
- Feedback from attendees is always overwhelmingly positive.
