Lora LoDuca was born and raised in Helena, Montana. She earned her BA in psychology/sociology from UM Missoula and her MA in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology. She worked in adult mental health settings for several years in San Diego before moving back to Montana in 2004 to focus on family. Lora became a Licensed Professional Counselor for the state of Montana in 2013. She worked as a K-6th CSCT Therapist for three years before obtaining her School Counselor credential through MSU-Northern’s M.Ed. program in 2016. She has worked as an elementary school counselor for the past 8 years (in Great Falls and Billings) and maintains her LCPC license. As part of her current job, Lora helps to develop and teach social skills and safety lessons to the approximately 300 students of Independent Elementary, a Yellowstone County school located just outside Billings city limits. She regularly interacts with parents, teachers, administrators, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Department, and Billings Child Protective Services to help ensure safety to her students.