- Years in practice
- 25
- Credentials
- LCSW, LMFT
- Licensed in
- Wisconsin
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Self esteem
About Mary
Mary Hargarten is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in Wisconsin. She brings 25 years of experience offering in-person and online therapy. Her approach is warm and direct, aimed at helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and parenting concerns.
She prefers practical, straightforward work in sessions. Mary combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and acceptance-based ideas to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and build healthier habits.
Background and approach
She also uses motivational interviewing to uncover what drives change and solution-focused work to set clear, manageable goals. Family background and life stage issues are part of her focus. She often helps people untangle influences from their family of origin, deal with grief or trauma, and address intimacy or communication problems.
Her practice includes concerns such as postpartum depression, panic attacks, bipolar mood issues, and caregiver stress. Mary describes her style as caring, nonjudgmental, and occasionally humorous. She aims to understand each person’s perspective and to collaborate on practical strategies.
She emphasizes strengths people already have and works to make those strengths more useful in daily life. Sessions can use conversation, skill practice, problem-solving, and mindfulness exercises. Mary encourages small, steady steps and views therapy as a joint effort to reach the goals a person sets for themselves.
What Mary works with
Everything Mary lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Mary helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Postpartum depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Mary lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches and how they work online
Mary often uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people accept difficult feelings while committing to actions that reflect their values. That approach can ease anxiety, depression, and the stress of life changes by shifting attention from fighting feelings to building meaningful habits.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT is useful for panic attacks, mood symptoms, and changing daily routines that reinforce worry or low mood. Client-centered elements ensure sessions stay focused on each person’s priorities and pace.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with clients to choose techniques that fit their goals and preferences. That might mean mixing acceptance practices, mindfulness exercises, and goal-focused problem solving depending on what helps most.
Online formats offer flexibility for busy lives. Video calls let people use conversation and guided exercises face to face. Phone sessions can be a good option when internet bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for brief problem-solving, step-by-step coaching, and ongoing support between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, and parenting schedules.
Questions people ask about Mary
What concerns does Mary help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting concerns, grief, trauma and many mood-related problems.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is warm, caring and nonjudgmental. She combines practical strategies with mindfulness and acceptance ideas.
How much experience does she have?
Mary has 25 years of clinical experience providing both in-person and online therapy.
What credentials and location are on record?
She holds LCSW and LMFT credentials and practices in Wisconsin.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on therapist availability.
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