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. She has provided both in-person and online therapy for 25 years, working with individuals, couples, and families on a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, relationship and family issues, domestic violence, self-esteem, sexual abuse, women’s issues, aging, and challenges at different life stages.

Mary believes people already possess many of the resources they need to face life’s difficulties and that therapy can help uncover and strengthen those coping skills. She emphasizes building on existing strengths and exploring how family of origin influences current beliefs and behaviors, with attention to how those patterns may support or hinder wellbeing today. Her approach treats the whole person and seeks balance across physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual dimensions of life.

Her therapeutic manner is warm, caring, nonjudgmental, and compassionate, and she often brings a sense of humor to the work. She strives to understand each person’s perspective and sees therapy as a collaborative effort - the client is the expert on their life while she provides evidence-based strategies to support change. Mary recognizes the courage it takes to begin therapy and views that first step as part of meaningful progress.

Mary draws from several clinical modalities to tailor treatment to each person’s needs, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (which incorporates mindfulness practices), and Bowen family systems ideas. These methods help examine thoughts and behaviors, set focused goals, identify motivation for change, accept what cannot be changed, and develop a clearer sense of individual values and autonomy. She values this work and finds continual inspiration in people’s resilience and capacity for growth.

Could Virtual Sessions Be a Good Fit?

Many people wonder whether meeting with a therapist online can lead to meaningful progress. For common difficulties such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or life transitions, online therapy is often comparable in effectiveness to traditional in-person care and can be a practical option for addressing these concerns.

One clear benefit of online therapy is flexibility - clients can choose the format that suits them best, including video sessions, phone appointments, live chat, or text-based messaging. This flexibility can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to maintain continuity of care during life changes.

Therapists who offer remote services are licensed professionals, and if the fit is not right it is possible to change therapists. For many people, virtual sessions provide a convenient, accessible way to engage in therapeutic work and pursue personal goals with professional support.