Meet Loni Neilson-Kattell, LCSW
Make sense of what’s getting in your way. Move forward feeling more like yourself.
I’m Loni, a therapist based in Missoula, Montana. I specialize in anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, ADHD, neurodivergence, and more.
Holding yourself to high standards has helped you feel capable and worthy—but now, it’s holding you hostage.
You’ve likely built a life around getting things “right.” You show up, follow through, and keep things from falling apart—then feel like a shell of yourself. Lately, that discontentment is showing up everywhere: work or school feels relentless, it’s harder to put on a good face for your loved ones, and downtime doesn’t actually restore your energy.
You might feel paralyzed by indecision, knowing you feel stuck but not having any idea how to move forward. And the pressure doesn’t just live in your head—it’s affecting your sleep, your relationships, and how you see yourself.
In short:
There’s nothing wrong with you.
If you’ve been told your whole life that you’re “too much,” “too sensitive,” or somehow failing at things that seem easier for other people, I’m here to tell you (from personal experience) that you’re none of those things.
You are a whole human being who has been doing their best to stay afloat.
The patterns you’re finding yourself in aren’t due to a character flaw or some cosmic mistake—they’re ways you learned to get through, keep up, and sometimes to hide parts of yourself that didn’t feel welcome. Here, your experiences will be taken seriously, and we’ll make sense of them together.
How I work:
I believe understanding opens a door to greater choice—so that’s where we begin.
In our conversations, we’ll slow down and talk through the moments you might usually breeze past—the automatic judgments or reactions, feelings in your body, or stories that come to mind—so we can address them directly and face them with more compassion than you’d typically give yourself. To do this, I might say “Let’s get curious about this,” or “What are you noticing in your body right now?” Because once you know why you do the things you do, you can start to recognize those patterns as they’re happening and have more choice over what you do next.
Therapy with me is…
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I work from an empowerment framework that’s social justice-informed, culturally responsive, and takes identity and lived experience seriously. You don’t need to downplay what you’ve lived through, translate yourself, or justify anything about who you are. My role as a therapist is rooted in humility and accountability, and shaped by ongoing learning.
I’m neuro-spicy myself, and I know how the world can shame you for being different. In this space, you can be direct about what’s real for you and how it’s impacting your life.
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Most of our sessions will begin with the question, “What do you want for yourself today?” That question is central to how I work within a framework called The NeuroAffective Relational Model, or NARM. NARM is a trauma-informed, depth-oriented approach that focuses on agency, patterns, and the ways we adapt to get through life.
This is a collaborative process: you lead, and I bring structure, curiosity, and a steady pace. I’ll check in often and always ask for consent before we go further, so you’re never being pushed into something you’re not ready for. I often describe this like wading into water: going in slowly, pausing when it feels too uncomfortable, letting you settle and adjust, and continuing forward when you’re ready. This way, we build momentum without overwhelming you or your nervous system.
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A big part of our work revolves around getting clear on what you want more of, not just what you want to stop feeling or doing. We’ll often follow a simple thread: what you’re hoping for, what would be different on the other side of that, and what’s been getting in your way.
When we know what your “desired state” is—how you want to feel and live—we have something to aim for, and you can make choices with that in mind. I’ll show you practical tools you can start using right away to head in the direction of your desired state, keeping in mind that they’re meant to support you, not become another to-do list item.
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I draw from and connect you with what will be genuinely useful to you. That might look like creating executive functioning strategies to make daily tasks feel like less of a struggle, recommending educational resources, or prompting you to check in with your gut when contemplating decisions.
Through it all, we’ll keep coming back to your internal wisdom: what you know, what you feel, what you want, and what matters to you. The goal is for you to feel grounded, supported, and to trust that you’ll be able to handle whatever comes your way.
Specializing in…
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My Background
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I was born and raised in Missoula, Montana, where the mountains and broad plains offer space to breathe, see the stars, and connect with nature and the people we love. Before becoming a therapist, my first love was technical theater—I was drawn to the magic of creating supportive spaces where people from all backgrounds could sit together and share a healing experience through self-expression.
Watching my younger brother navigate ADHD and the mistreatment we both experienced growing up ignited a passion in me to create empowering spaces where people can gain confidence and truly belong as their genuine selves. I bring values of compassion, joy, integrity, and genuineness to my work, along with kindness, humor, and a deep love of learning and collaboration.
When I'm not in session, you'll find me spending time with loved ones (both human and animal), working with my hands through spinning and gardening, collaborating on creative projects, or enjoying a good cup of tea or coffee. I'm honored to walk alongside you as you discover your own strengths and create a life that feels authentically yours.
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University of Montana | Bachelor of Arts | Technical Theatre with a minor in Psychology | 2009-2014
Walla Walla University | Master of Social Work | 2017-2019
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Montana Lic#70250
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Certified Neuroaffective Relational Model (NARM) Therapist, NARM Training Institute, 2023
EMDR Advanced Training 2025
3C Activation® ADHD Coach Certification 2026
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National Association of Social Workers
ADHD Coaches Organization
You’ve already tried working harder
Let’s try something different, together.
Click the button below to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. On this call, we’ll discuss what’s led you to seek support, and I can answer any questions you have about working together. If we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule your first session. I offer sessions in-person at my office in Missoula and online across Montana.