Mary Hargarten , LCSW, LMFT

Mary Hargarten is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With 25 years of experience providing both in-person and online therapy, she has worked with individuals, couples, and families on a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, relationship and family problems, domestic violence, self-esteem, sexual abuse, women’s issues, aging, and life-stage transitions.

Mary believes that people already possess many of the internal resources needed to manage life’s challenges and that therapy can help uncover and strengthen those skills. She emphasizes building on individual strengths, exploring how family of origin shapes beliefs and behaviors, and attending to balance across physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual areas of life. Her approach honors the whole person while addressing patterns that may be interfering with present-day functioning.

Clients can expect a warm, caring, and nonjudgmental presence complemented by compassion and a sense of humor. Mary aims to understand each person’s perspective and to collaborate closely, combining the client’s expertise about their own life with her knowledge of therapeutic methods. She uses a range of approaches - including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused techniques, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness practices, and Bowen family systems ideas - tailoring strategies to fit each client’s needs. She finds deep professional reward in witnessing resilience and growth.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Mary draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients notice what matters most to them, accept difficult feelings, and take committed action toward a meaningful life. ACT is often useful for people facing anxiety, low mood, or life transitions who want practical tools to move forward while tolerating uncomfortable emotions.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps people identify and reframe unhelpful thoughts and develop behavioral strategies to reduce symptoms. CBT is a practical approach commonly used for anxiety, depression, panic, and stress-related concerns.

In practice, finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Mary works with each client to explore what methods fit their personality, goals, and situation, and she adapts strategies over time so therapy remains useful and grounded in the client’s priorities.

Online therapy with Mary is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit care into a busy life and to connect from different locations within Wisconsin. These options increase flexibility for scheduling, continuity of care during life changes, and access to consistent therapeutic support from licensed professionals.