Mary Widseth , LPC

Mary Widseth holds a master’s degree in Community Psychology and Rehabilitation Counseling from Saint Cloud State University and a certificate in Autism, and she completed a bachelor’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin - Stout. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) whose work has emphasized support for adults and families across diverse backgrounds and needs.

Her early career drew on her vocational training, placing and supporting adults with cognitive, mental, physical, or communication challenges in work settings. She coordinated group and individual placements, provided transportation, and delivered on-the-job training so participants could perform tasks more effectively. Communicating with staff, clients, and employers was central to that work, including use of sign language and conversational Spanish when language barriers arose.

Mary’s personal experience with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy from childhood informs her approach, helping her relate to barriers others face and to develop creative solutions when one side of a situation is at a disadvantage. After completing her master’s degree, she provided two years of in-home therapy for children aged 7 to 18 and their families, followed by two years as a mental health therapist working with adults and children in an office setting.

Her clinical experience includes work with transgender and bisexual adults, individuals managing addictions, and people pursuing surgical body changes for physical or mental health reasons. Mary addresses common child concerns such as behavioral and emotional regulation, communication, and social or family relationships, and she supports adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, relationship skills, and broader daily functioning. She also adapts materials for language barriers using picture books, rebus boards, and sign language to enhance communication and participation.

Therapeutic Approaches and Accessible Online Care

Mary Widseth integrates Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into her practice to address a range of concerns. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a trusting, nonjudgmental relationship and helps clients explore their values and goals through empathic listening and support. CBT helps people identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and learn practical strategies to reduce anxiety, depression, and daily stressors. DBT offers tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful for intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Mary works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors techniques to the individual and adjusts them over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy with Mary is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to enhance flexibility and access. These options allow clients to connect from home or other locations that suit their schedules, making it easier to maintain consistency in care, try different formats for communication, and continue work through life transitions and busy routines.