Anxiety Therapy in Montana
with Rachel Sleeper, PCLC
Does it feel like your brain never slows down?
If your anxiety is running the show — in your thoughts, your reactions, or your relationships — you’re not alone.
For the entirety of my career, I’ve helped anxious women learn how to make decisions without spiraling, asking a thousand “what ifs”, or needing to ask for constant reassurance. I do this work because I’ve been through my own anxiety recovery, and I want others to have the tools to choose peace instead of panic.
Caption for that ← reel: Common intrusive thoughts (meaning they’re unwanted and unpleasant) in anxious people-pleasers and conflict avoiders often sound like:
❓“What if they’re mad at me?”
🫣“I should’ve worded that differently.”
⚡️“They probably think I’m selfish.”
✨“What if I hurt their feelings?”
‼️“I need to fix this immediately.”
🫣“What if they misunderstood me?”
💬“They sounded different over text… did I do something wrong?”
🙃“I should just let it go to avoid conflict.”
😣“What if setting this boundary ruins the relationship?”
🥲“I’m probably overreacting.”
Intrusive thoughts are not always loud or irrational, or about throwing yourself in front of traffic. Sometimes they sound responsible. Thoughtful. “Nice.”
But many are actually fear-based attempts to prevent rejection, disapproval, or disconnection.
I talk to my clients about intrusive thoughts all the time, and you have to learn to notice the thought without automatically obeying or prioritizing it. And sometimes, having a script for responding to those thoughts can be helpful. I have a free scripts bank you can adjust (from responding to family members) to talk to yourself about your intrusive thoughts - just ask and I’ll send it over to you!
Anxiety doesn’t always look the same.
Your anxiety might show up as perfectionism. Or panic attacks. Or not being able to relax, even when nothing’s wrong. It could sound like constant “what if’s.” Or feel like something’s off, but you can’t name what - so you keep the TV volume at only even numbers (or 5, just because that’s fine) to feel better.
And you are exhausted.
What anxiety therapy with me is like
I Work With People Who Are...
Navigating anything like this:
Numb, anxious, or shut down
Panic attacks and
Having intrusive thoughts that they’re afraid of
Exhausted from overthinking
Struggling with “having” to do things that used to comfort them, but now are only making things worse (like washing my hands used to make me feel like I wouldn’t get sick, but now I wash my hands all the time)
how we’ll work together in therapy
You want the behind-the-scenes info on what kind of therapy I do? I got you.
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Helps you challenge unhelpful beliefs and thought patterns - like “I should just be able to do this” - and reduce self-blame and rumination.
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The gold-standard treatment for OCD, EX/RP helps reduce compulsions and avoidance. It’s highly effective for OCD, especially when you’re dealing with upsetting thoughts or fears you can’t share with anyone else.
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Supports you in accepting what’s hard while still showing up for what matters- your baby, your values, and yourself.
What could change if you faced your anxiety?
Imagine if you could:
Let go of overthinking,
Practice relaxing your bodies in stressful-but-not-a-crisis moments,
Make a decision in 5 minutes, rather than 5 weeks,
Break your compulsive behaviors, like checking Google to page 10,
Learn the difference between being prepared and panic-prepping,
And shut down the “what if’s”.
Anxiety doesn’t have to be the boss of your life. Therapy can help you put that crown back on your own head and dethrone the tyrant that keeps you awake at night and spiraling.
About Rachel Sleeper, PCLC
I am direct, engaged, and not afraid to say what I see. Some people wonder what their therapist is thinking, but my clients do not. We’ll talk honestly, think together, and stay focused on what helps you move forward.
Education & Credentials
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Summa Cum Laude - Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Bachelors of Arts in English, Minors in History and International Studies - Truman State University
Post-Graduate Training:
In Progress - EMDR Certification (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Ongoing training and CEUs in ACT, ERP, Play Therapy, and IFS
Get Started in 3 Steps
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Reach out using the button to the left.
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This 15-20 minute free call gives us both a “vibe check”, making sure we’d be a good fit for your needs and my expertise.
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When you’re ready to dive in, we’ll h ave our first session. I’ll help you both slow things down, name what’s not working, and begin mapping a path forward.