Profile / United States
Mary Hargarten, LCSW, LMFT
Wisconsin
LCSW and LMFT - anxiety and relationship focus
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Solution-Focused steps
About Mary
Mary Hargarten is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Wisconsin with 25 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing anxiety, depression, panic attacks, relationship and family problems, grief, trauma and abuse, and issues around self-esteem and life transitions.
Mary uses straightforward, problem-focused methods to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and habits and try different ways of responding. She combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with solution-focused steps and mindfulness practices. Sessions often include setting small goals and testing new behaviors between meetings.
She pays attention to how family of origin affects current beliefs and patterns. That means looking at old habits that still shape relationships and choices. Mary also helps clients develop practical coping skills for caregiving stress, aging concerns, postpartum adjustment, and mood swings.
Her style is direct and practical. She treats people as collaborators and focuses on concrete strategies rather than abstract talk. Motivational Interviewing is used when someone is weighing change, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy supports coping with things that can’t be changed right away.
Mary has long experience working with many interpersonal and mood-related concerns, including domestic violence, infidelity, and intimacy-related issues. She supports LGBT concerns and helps people clarify life purpose, work through midlife transitions, and manage panic and bipolar-related challenges.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Mary blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with client-centered listening. CBT focuses on spotting thoughts and testing small behavioral experiments to reduce anxiety and mood symptoms. ACT helps people accept what they cannot change while committing to values-based actions, which can aid with grief, relationship choices, and life transitions.Finding the right approach is collaborative. Mary will talk with the client about goals and try concrete strategies, then adjust the mix of CBT, ACT, mindfulness, or motivational interviewing based on what helps most. The process emphasizes short-term goals and practical skills to use between sessions.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter focused check-ins, and reduce travel time. It also permits using mindfulness exercises and behavioral assignments at home to practice skills in real-life settings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Wisconsin
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, and parenting concerns.
How does she use CBT in sessions?
She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test different actions. Sessions include practical steps and homework to try new behaviors between meetings.
What kind of experience does she have?
Mary has 25 years of clinical practice working in person and online with individuals, couples, and family issues.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds LCSW and LMFT credentials and practices in Wisconsin.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a session with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.