
Mary Hargarten
Compassionate, experienced therapy in Milwaukee
Start with Mary HargartenLicensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime


Compassionate, experienced therapy in Milwaukee
Start with Mary HargartenLicensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Mary Hargarten is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (WI LCSW 7107-123) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (WI LMFT 676-124) practicing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has provided therapy for 23 years, working with individuals, couples, and families in both in-person and online settings.
Her clinical work addresses a range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, relationship and family conflicts, domestic violence, self-esteem issues, sexual abuse, women’s issues, aging, and challenges at different life stages. Mary draws on a strength-based perspective, helping clients identify and build the internal resources they already possess to cope more effectively.
Mary views family of origin patterns as influential, and she helps clients explore how those early influences may be supporting or undermining their present lives. She aims to treat the whole person - seeking balance across physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual areas.
Her therapeutic manner is warm, caring, non-judgmental, and compassionate, and she brings a sense of humor to the work. Mary strives to understand each client’s experience by stepping into their shoes, while collaborating as the professional skilled in therapeutic methods. She believes clients are experts on their own lives and that working together produces the best path forward. Mary recognizes the courage it takes to begin therapy and sees that first step as meaningful movement toward change.
Mary integrates several approaches in her practice, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Bowen’s Family Systems therapy. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy examines thoughts, beliefs, and actions and how they affect functioning. Solution Focused Therapy concentrates on specific issues and goal-setting. Motivational Interviewing explores what motivates a person to change. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy emphasizes accepting what cannot be changed and committing to change what can, and it incorporates mindfulness practices. Bowen’s Family Systems therapy focuses on how individuals can individuate from family patterns by developing their own values and beliefs.
She truly looks forward to working with clients and loves this work, finding daily reminders of the resilience and strength of the human spirit.