Our Team

Joseph O’Malley serves as the Executive Director of Bear Creek Wellness, bringing more than a decade of leadership experience in substance use disorder and mental health treatment. Throughout his career, he has directed rehabilitation programs with a focus on delivering compassionate, evidence-based care while building strong, mission-driven teams dedicated to helping individuals achieve lasting recovery.

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Joseph has devoted his professional life to creating opportunities for people facing the challenges of addiction, substance use, and mental health disorders. His leadership is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves dignity, support, and access to high-quality care, regardless of where they are in their recovery journey.

At Bear Creek Wellness, Joseph is committed to fostering a culture of clinical excellence, integrity, and compassion. He works closely with staff, community partners, and families to ensure clients receive individualized treatment that promotes healing, resilience, and long-term success. Through his passion for service and unwavering dedication to the recovery community, Joseph continues to lead Bear Creek Wellness with a vision of hope, empowerment, and lasting positive change.

Andrea was born and raised in Spokane Washington, she moved to Montana with her husband in 2015. Andrea has been in the field of counseling since 2009. As a licensed addiction counselor, she worked primarily in addiction until 2018 when she completed her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and became a licensed clinical professional counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Andrea has worked with diverse populations and found her calling working with individuals and couples struggling with substance use and its relational impact.

With a passion for recovery and healing families, Andrea has built a private practice in Missoula, MT and serves various populations. Andrea’s love for people and her desire to engage with, and promote, internal healing has fostered a truly unique role aiding individualized journeys in recovery. In her spare time, she enjoys her beautiful property west of Missoula with nature at her front and back doors. Her greatest joy in life is spending time with her granddaughter and breaking the cycle of addiction in her own family.

After struggling with alcohol and substance abuse for many years, Josh found the freedom of sobriety, and the amazing life that comes with it through his own treatment and recovery journey. His commitment to the behavioral health field and helping others in recovery is deeply personal. His own journey toward long-term recovery inspired him to pursue a career dedicated to helping others achieve sobriety. This personal experience gives Josh a unique perspective and deep empathy for those struggling with addiction, driving his passion for motivating, coaching, and supporting individuals on their path to recovery.

With a robust career in mental health spanning over a decade, Ko Moua has dedicated his professional life to supporting individuals through various facets of mental health and addiction recovery. Beginning his journey as a Mental Health Case Manager in 2014, Ko gained foundational experience in the field, which led them to pursue further education in addiction studies. He completed his studies at Missoula College in 2015, followed by earning a bachelor’s in social work from the University of Montana in 2016.

Driven by a passion for enhancing their expertise, Ko Moua earned a Master of Social Work from Walla Walla University in 2019. Over the past five years, he has applied his advanced skills as an Addiction Counselor and Mental Health Therapist, providing invaluable support and guidance to those in need.

Born and raised in Missoula, MT, Ko remains deeply connected to his roots and the vibrant community in which he lives. In addition to his professional endeavors, he is an avid fly fisherman and outdoorsman, embracing all that Montana has to offer.

Hannah Wilson serves as the Nursing Director at Bear Creek Wellness, bringing a unique blend of medical and behavioral health experience to her role. Her background includes work in social services and group homes, supporting individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, as well as experience as a Registered Nurse in local hospital emergency departments.

Working in emergency medicine gave Hannah firsthand insight into the complex physical, emotional, and behavioral health needs individuals face during times of crisis. Combined with her behavioral health experience, she is passionate about providing compassionate, whole-person care that supports both recovery and overall wellness.

Hannah is dedicated to helping clients feel safe, supported, and empowered throughout their treatment journey while ensuring they receive high-quality, client-centered care.

Tamara Nilsen serves as the Operations Director at Bear Creek Wellness, bringing extensive experience in complex administrative systems, operations management, and team development. She is passionate about building strong teams and implementing efficient systems that support both staff and clients.

Tamara is deeply connected to the local recovery community and is actively involved in recovery meetings throughout the area. Her understanding of recovery, combined with her operational expertise, helps ensure that Bear Creek Wellness provides a supportive, client-centered environment where individuals can thrive.

She is committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and compassion while helping advance the organization’s mission of supporting recovery and wellness in the communities it serves.

Angela Lokensgard-Mishler, LAC, serves as the Lead Clinical Counselor for SUD Outpatient Services at Bear Creek Wellness. She is passionate about helping individuals achieve lasting recovery and improved well-being through compassionate, person-centered care.

Angela brings valuable experience from working in group homes and the mental health field throughout Montana, where she supported individuals facing a variety of behavioral health challenges. She is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where clients feel respected, empowered, and equipped to make meaningful changes in their lives.

Angela believes that recovery is a journey of growth, resilience, and hope, and she is honored to support clients as they work toward their personal goals and long-term wellness.

Robin Winters serves as the Operations Director for SUD Outpatient Services at Bear Creek Wellness. With a background in operations and administration, she is passionate about creating systems and support that help both clients and staff thrive.

In addition to her professional experience, Robin is a Yoga Nidra teacher who believes in the power of mindfulness, rest, and holistic wellness. She is dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment where healing, growth, and recovery can flourish.

Dr. Small received his medical degree at the University of Hawaii. He completed his medical residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD. He is board certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, and Family Medicine. Dr. Small is passionate about bringing quality care to patients suffering with addiction.

Matthew Grimes serves as the Operations Manager at Bear Creek Wellness, bringing extensive experience in high-acuity group home settings, state licensing compliance, and team development. His background has given him a strong understanding of the operational and regulatory requirements necessary to provide safe, effective, and high-quality behavioral health services.

Matthew is passionate about building strong teams and creating systems that support both staff and clients. He is committed to fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence while ensuring Bear Creek Wellness maintains the highest standards of care and compliance.

His leadership and operational expertise help support a positive environment where clients can focus on healing, growth, and long-term recovery.

Patrick Ryan is the Lead Clinician at Bear Creek Wellness Center, bringing more than a decade of experience serving individuals and families in Montana’s addiction and mental health treatment community. Throughout his career, Patrick has worked across a variety of treatment settings, developing a deep understanding of the unique challenges and strengths within the local recovery landscape.

Known for his compassionate, client-centered approach, Patrick combines evidence-based clinical practices with genuine empathy to help individuals build lasting recovery and improve their overall well-being. His extensive knowledge of Montana’s behavioral health system allows him to effectively guide clients through every stage of the recovery process while collaborating with community resources to ensure comprehensive care.

As Lead Clinician, Patrick is committed to fostering a supportive therapeutic environment, mentoring clinical staff, and maintaining the highest standards of care. He is passionate about helping clients discover hope, resilience, and the tools they need to create meaningful, lasting change.

Glenn Tousignant serves as the Client Care Coordinator at Bear Creek Wellness, bringing a background in case management and operations, along with five years of experience supporting individuals in recovery throughout Montana.

Glenn works closely with clients to help them navigate treatment and access the resources they need for lasting recovery. He is passionate about building strong relationships with local healthcare providers and community partners to ensure clients receive coordinated, high-quality care throughout their recovery journey.

Known for his compassionate approach and commitment to the Montana communities he serves, Glenn strives to make every client feel welcomed, supported, and empowered as they work toward their goals.

Maryjo Lykins is a dedicated Registered Nurse with a unique background that bridges law enforcement and healthcare. After many years of service as a law enforcement officer, Maryjo transitioned into the healthcare field, driven by a passion for making a difference in people’s lives.

Upon graduating as a Registered Nurse, Maryjo embarked on her career within the prison system, where she has provided comprehensive medical care to a diverse and often underserved population. Her role at the prison facility involves addressing a range of medical needs, including those associated with addiction, and delivering care with compassion and expertise.

Maryjo’s experience in both law enforcement and nursing equips her with a distinct perspective, allowing her to navigate the complexities of healthcare in a structured setting effectively. Her commitment to improving the well-being of those in her care reflects her dedication to service and her ability to adapt and thrive in challenging environments.