Child & Family Therapy — Missoula, Montana
Child & Family Therapy in Missoula, Montana.
Person-centered, trauma-informed child therapy and family therapy in Missoula, Montana. Serving families across Montana with play therapy, attachment-based care, and support for neurodiverse children.
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Specializations
Neurodiverse children, challenging behavior, positive discipline, sleep
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Child therapy
Play-based, ages 3 and up
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Family therapy
Attachment-based, all ages
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First step
Free consultation call with Melissa
"A child who is struggling does not need to be fixed. They need to be understood."
WHO IS THIS FOR
Is child or family therapy right for your family?
Therapy at Branching with Twigs is for families who want to understand what is happening beneath the surface and build something stronger. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit. You just need to want more for your family than what you have right now.
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Children with big feelings or challenging behavior
Your child is struggling and you are not sure why. You want to understand them more deeply and support them more effectively.
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Neurodiverse children
Your child has developmental delays, a disability, or unique needs and you want expert, compassionate support navigating it all.
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Families navigating change or conflict
Something has shifted in your family and the old ways of relating are not working anymore.
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Parents who want to show up differently
You react in ways you do not want to react. You want to understand why and build new patterns.
You belong here.
Melissa specializes in
Parenting and child development
Neurodiverse children and developmental delays
Challenging behaviors and positive discipline
Circle of Security and Parent Team programs
Sleep coaching and CBT for Insomnia
Trauma-informed and somatic approaches
THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
How Melissa works with Montana families.
Every session draws from evidence-based approaches, tailored to the unique needs of each child and family. At the core is always a person-centered approach, ensuring every family member has the skills and support they need to thrive.
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Play therapy
Play is the language of childhood. Through play, children process their experiences, express what words cannot, and develop the emotional tools they need to thrive.
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Somatic therapy
Healing happens in the body as much as the mind. Somatic approaches help children and families tune into physical sensations and release what is held in the body.
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Polyvagal-informed
Understanding the nervous system is at the heart of this work. Polyvagal theory helps explain why we feel and behave the way we do and how to find our way back to safety.
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Trauma-informed
Every experience is held with care. A trauma-informed approach means understanding how past experiences shape present behavior, without judgment and with deep compassion.
MEET YOUR GUIDE
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MSW · SWLC
20+ years
with families
Melissa Eastlick
MSW · SWLC · Parent Coach · Sleep Consultant · Human Design Guide
Melissa brings a vibrant energy to everything she does. Her true passion lies in helping families live their best lives by making the journey of parenting both easier and more enjoyable.
Starting her career as a preschool teacher in 2004, Melissa became a Family Support Specialist in 2009, working across Montana supporting parents raising children with developmental delays and disabilities. She completed her Master's in Social Work from Walla Walla University in 2022 and is now a clinical social worker candidate.
Specializing in parenting, child development, and supporting neurodiverse children, Melissa is passionate about providing therapy and education that is individualized to meet the specific needs of each family.