Mary Hargarten

Compassionate clinician blending practical strategies

LCSW, LMFT Wisconsin

Experience: 25 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Mary

Mary Hargarten brings 25 years of clinical experience to her practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She emphasizes cognitive behavioral techniques alongside acceptance and commitment and mindfulness-based approaches to help clients examine thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and build practical coping skills.

Background and approach

Mary practices from a whole-person perspective, inviting exploration of family-of-origin influences while supporting clients to strengthen personal resources and daily functioning. Her work has addressed a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, self-esteem, intimacy issues, and mood disorders.

She also attends to issues that arise with life transitions, caregiving stress, aging and geriatric concerns, postpartum depression, and complex family dynamics such as divorce, infidelity, and domestic violence. Mary describes a warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental style that blends practical strategies with collaborative goal setting.

She encourages clients to view themselves as experts in their own lives while she contributes therapeutic tools to support change and resilience.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Delivered Online

Mary commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in online work. CBT helps identify and shift unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior so clients can reduce symptoms like anxiety or panic and develop concrete skills for daily life. ACT emphasizes accepting difficult internal experiences while clarifying values and committing to actions that move a person toward a meaningful life, which can be especially useful for coping with life transitions, grief, or persistent mood difficulties.

Finding the right approach is collaborative; the therapist partners with each client to explore which strategies fit their goals, values, and preferences. That process may include blending CBT techniques with mindfulness and motivational interviewing to build motivation, increase present-moment awareness, and create sustainable behavior change over time.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different schedules and comfort levels. These options can make it easier to maintain continuity of care during busy or changing life circumstances while still working with a licensed professional who provides structured, goal-oriented support.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she address?

Mary works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, panic, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting and intimacy-related issues, as well as mood disorders and postpartum depression.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her approach is warm, caring, and nonjudgmental, combining cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, acceptance strategies, and motivational interviewing to develop practical coping skills and clarify goals.

What is her clinical background and experience?

She has 25 years of experience providing therapy in person and online, working with individuals, couples, and families across many life challenges.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds LCSW and LMFT credentials with license numbers WI LCSW 7107-123 and WI LMFT 676-124, and she is based in Wisconsin.

Are sessions offered in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are conducted in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for appointments?

Clients can meet by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what fits their needs and schedule.

How is cost handled for therapy with her?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementBipolar disorder

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Wisconsin, Wisconsin

Languages

English