Mary Hargarten , LCSW, LMFT

Mary Hargarten is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Milwaukee, WI. She has spent 25 years providing therapy both in person and online, working with individuals, couples, and families to address a wide range of concerns.

Her clinical work has focused on issues such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, relationship and family problems, domestic violence, self-esteem struggles, sexual abuse, women’s issues, and challenges that arise with aging and different life stages. Mary approaches each person with the belief that people already possess internal resources to cope and grow; her role is to help identify, strengthen, and apply those skills in daily life.

Mary explores how family of origin patterns shape current beliefs and behaviors, and she emphasizes a balanced, whole-person perspective that includes physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual dimensions. Her manner is warm, caring, non-judgmental, and compassionate, with a direct but humorous touch when appropriate. She aims to empathically understand each person’s experience while offering practical therapeutic strategies.

Mary draws from several evidence-based methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused approaches, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Bowen’s Family Systems therapy, and she incorporates mindfulness skills as part of her work. She values collaboration, viewing clients as experts on their lives and herself as a guide in selecting approaches that fit their goals and circumstances. Mary expresses a deep commitment to this work and to witnessing the resilience people bring to change.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Mary regularly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people notice and accept difficult thoughts and feelings while identifying core values and taking steps toward a meaningful life. ACT can be useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions because it emphasizes flexible action aligned with what matters to the individual.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another key approach Mary uses; it examines how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact and offers concrete tools to shift unhelpful patterns. CBT often helps with anxiety, depression, panic, and mood-related concerns by teaching practical skills for day-to-day coping.

Motivational Interviewing is used to explore a person’s readiness for change and to support internal motivation when making behavior changes. This approach is collaborative and goal-focused, useful for overcoming ambivalence around important life decisions.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Mary works collaboratively with each person to identify preferred methods based on their needs, goals, and values, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds. Licensed professionals and therapists bring their expertise while clients guide what feels most helpful.

Online therapy with Mary is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for scheduling and access. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives and to continue work with a therapist from different locations when appropriate.