Therapist
Wendie Vanderwater
LCSW
Practical, straightforward therapy for daily life
Continue with Wendie
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Step 1
- Client-focused care
- Mindfulness and skills
- Practical coping steps
About Wendie
Wendie Vanderwater is a licensed clinical social worker with over 22 years of experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, ADHD, grief, and other life changes. Wendie aims to be straightforward and nonjudgmental so clients can speak honestly and find practical steps forward.
She prefers to tailor work to each person. Clients decide whether they want homework or to keep sessions focused on conversation. Treatments are often combined, for example using elements of dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy together to address patterns and skills.
Mindfulness and journaling are common tools in her sessions. These techniques help people notice feelings, reduce reactivity, and plan small changes. Wendie asks direct questions to clarify needs and then shapes the work around what helps the person most.
She encourages activity outside sessions as part of recovery and wellbeing. Simple actions like volunteering or joining a group are suggested when they fit the person’s life and goals. Wendie views challenges as opportunities to discover practical strategies that improve daily life.
Wendie works with a wide range of concerns related to trauma, family and identity, caregiving stress, and mood disorders. She practices in Montana and conducts sessions in English, helping people find approaches that fit their values and routines.
She prefers to tailor work to each person. Clients decide whether they want homework or to keep sessions focused on conversation. Treatments are often combined, for example using elements of dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy together to address patterns and skills.
Mindfulness and journaling are common tools in her sessions. These techniques help people notice feelings, reduce reactivity, and plan small changes. Wendie asks direct questions to clarify needs and then shapes the work around what helps the person most.
She encourages activity outside sessions as part of recovery and wellbeing. Simple actions like volunteering or joining a group are suggested when they fit the person’s life and goals. Wendie views challenges as opportunities to discover practical strategies that improve daily life.
Wendie works with a wide range of concerns related to trauma, family and identity, caregiving stress, and mood disorders. She practices in Montana and conducts sessions in English, helping people find approaches that fit their values and routines.
Step 2
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
LGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCommunication problemsControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
22+ years
Credentials
Montana
Languages
English
Step 3
How her approaches shape online therapy
Wendie uses cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy alongside client-centered work. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with small behavioral experiments to reduce anxiety and depression. Dialectical behavior therapy emphasizes practical skills like emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for intense emotions and relationship struggles. She also draws on mindfulness to help people notice feelings and respond more calmly.Finding the right mix of methods is part of the process. Wendie collaborates with each person to learn what feels useful and adjusts techniques based on goals and preferences. Clients help choose whether to include skills practice, journaling, or other homework between sessions.
Session formats are not listed in the original biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. It also makes scheduling around work, caregiving, or medical appointments simpler. Licensed professionals can still use the same skill-building and mindfulness exercises in virtual settings, and practical strategies can be practiced between sessions to support everyday change.
Step 4
Frequently asked questions
What issues does Wendie commonly help with?
Wendie works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, ADHD, grief, caregiver stress, and related concerns listed in her profile.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is direct and nonjudgmental. She combines practical skill-building with conversations tailored to what the client prefers.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 22 years of clinical experience helping people with a wide range of concerns.
What credential and region should I know about?
She holds an LCSW, listed as MT LCSW, and practices in Montana.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can I work with her from outside the country?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin therapy?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Step 5