Dr. Christina G. Yoshimura, M.A., Ph.D., LCPC, is a Missoula, Montana divorce therapist and professor of family communication.

 

She counsels parents who are deciding whether to divorce, who are divorcing, or who are co-parenting after divorce by offering short-term, research-based sessions.

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Why I Focus On Divorce

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I have spent the last 30 years reading and conducting research on how people communicate in close relationships, particularly during family transitions. I earned my M.A. and Ph.D. in communication at Arizona State University, and my M.A. in clinical mental health at the University of Montana.

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I have taught, and continue to teach, theories and research about family communication as a professor for the last 25 years at the University of Montana.

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However, over my career I've been struck by how almost none of that academic research reaches families when they are in the trenches, facing family stress and distress.

 

Even if this academic research reached more families, reading it doesn't easily translate into relief for families who are wondering why communicating feels so hard, what they might be doing wrong, or what they could be doing better.

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Ten years ago, I began to change this by working clinically with families in what is often a painful family transition: divorce. In order to do this work well I earned a counseling license, have maintained ongoing training in family therapy, and have received certification from the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

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The parents I work with are thoughtful and committed to their children, and many are stuck in communication patterns neither of them chose and that are difficult for them to see.

 

My work is helping co-parents identify patterns and build the skills to change them, so their children are no longer in the middle of co-parent conflict and so they can feel better about the way they are enacting their co-parent role.

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How I Work

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Short-term and focused. We aim at something specific: a decision, a parenting plan, or a way of communicating that holds up under stress and change.

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Research-informed. I am trained as both a scholar and a clinician, so I bring current research on communication, conflict, and children's adjustment to your situation instead of generic advice.

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Tailored to your family. I won't hand you a script. We look at what is getting in your way and build next steps that fit for you.

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Useful even if one parent attends. If you are the only one who comes to sessions, we can still change patterns for the whole family.

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What Working Together Looks Like

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1. A free 15-minute call. We talk through your situation and decide whether I'm the right fit.

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2. A first session. One hour, individual or joint. Fees are listed on each service page and on my online booking page.

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3. A short-term plan. We set clear next steps and decide together after each session whether more time would help. This is not long-term psychotherapy, and my aim is to help you find relief and change in weeks, not years. 

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4. AI Free Interactions. I do not record our sessions or use AI to create notes of our time together. I give you my sustained focus as a human being during our time together and in my conceptualization of your specific situation.

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My Practice Availability

I am located at 800 Kensington Avenue, Suite 201, in Missoula Montana. I have room to see individuals, couples, and families in my office.

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I am currently able to meet with individuals in Montana, Arizona, Colorado, and Vermont via telehealth. If you reside outside of these areas and would like to work together, please contact me so that I can assess that possibility with you.

 

In addition to weekday slots, I have session availability on weekends and evenings to accommodate busy family schedules.

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I do not always have openings for new clients immediately, but since my work is short-term I am usually able to see new clients shortly after they indicate their interest. In our consultation I can let you know my current openings and the length of the waitlist if there currently is one. 

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