About – Instar Community Services

substance-use-mental-health-helena-mt

WHO ARE WE

We provide care that is Person centered, trauma informed, evidenced based, and culturally responsive.

Instar Community Services is a community based State of Montana approved clinic offering a comprehensive range of services to people who face legal or personal issues surrounding substance use, gambling, and/or mental health.

Formerly named, “Instar Solutions” and located in the St. John’s building on Ewing Street in Helena for many years as a small private practice until 2018 when Terri Russell’s vision to open a state approved cd clinic came to fruition in thanks to the 2017 Montana legislature removing a 35 year old law that limited state approved substance use disorder clinic to only one in Lewis and Clark county.

We believe and have experienced that a person’s dignity can be restored as they face the multi-faceted issues surrounding substance use and mental health with good support, self forgiveness, and lots of patience. Our commitment is to the well being of our clients that includes working in collaboration with other healthcare providers and community agencies to ensure the total needs of our clients are met.

hannon-hill-helena-mt49

hannon-hill-helena-mt1

hannon-hill-helena-mt40

hannon-hill-helena-mt2

hannon-hill-helena-mt3

hannon-hill-helena-mt4

hannon-hill-helena-mt42

hannon-hill-helena-mt41

hannon-hill-helena-mt46

hannon-hill-helena-mt45

hannon-hill-helena-mt44

hannon-hill-helena-mt47

terri-instar

Terri Russell,
LAC, Clinical Director

Terri has over 18 year’s experience as a licensed addiction counselor with the State of Montana. She has worked in both outpatient and inpatient treatment facilities and skilled with completing chemical dependency evaluations, leading groups, and providing individualized counseling. She is also a trained ACT/Prime For Life facilitator. Her personal interests include spending time with family and fishing, boating, camping, and baking one of her “out of this world” pies.

bob-instar

Bob Stewart, LAC

Robert (Bob) attended grade school in Butte and graduated from Helena High in 1978. Bob has history with life’s hard knocks and is in long term recovery. He attended the University of Montana-Missoula, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Montana Tech, and Dawson Community College. Bob is one of our licensed addiction counselors and our smart IT computer guru. He loves the outdoors and particularly Montana summers. His favorite quote is“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself” - Desiderata

damian-instar

Damian Schepp,
Care Coordinator

Damian Schepp is our Care Coordinator, and he is here to assist clients with needs they may have to get back into a healthy recovery. Damian is in recovery from alcoholism. He is focused on being a voice for the client using evidence based recovery principles and proven statistics. Damian has lived in the Helena community all his life. Hobbies he enjoys are playing video games, watching football, and mixed martial arts.

ryan-instar

Ryan Lehman,
CBHPSS/ Program Coordinator

Ryan is a product of Instar Community Services and our many pathways to recovery. Ryan holds the Hannon House program dear to his heart and loves giving back to the residents and the Helena community. He serves on the drug treatment court team and several committees in the community. Ryan is the program coordinator and year 4 of being a licensed peer support specialist. Ryan is a single father with 7 yr old twins, and will be attending school next fall for his LAC while also currently building his new home through Habitat for Humanity.

dawn-instar

Dawn Mahr, LAC

Dawn has been living her best life since finding her path to recovery. She earned her Associate of Arts degree from Dawson Community College and is a Licensed addiction counselor, which allows her to give back and help others find their way. Dawn is proof recovery is possible. Dawn’s biggest joy comes from being a mother and grandmother to her ever-growing family. She enjoys hiking Helena's trails, practicing yoga, beading, and participating in cultural activities in the community.