Wendie Vanderwater, LCSW
Experienced LCSW guiding practical healing
- Client-centered care
- DBT and CBT
- Flexible session formats
About Wendie Vanderwater
Wendie Vanderwater, LCSW, brings 22 years of experience working with a wide range of people and concerns. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she draws on multiple treatment methods and adapts them to what is most effective for each individual. Her approach is straightforward and authentic - she is honest and real while remaining nonjudgmental, and she often emphasizes that many people are harder on themselves than necessary.
Wendie lets clients choose the pace and style of their work, including whether they prefer to have homework between sessions or focus mainly on in-session exploration. She commonly blends approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, and she frequently incorporates mindfulness practices alongside tools like journaling to help clients access and understand their feelings. Wendie asks questions to learn what a person needs and treats presenting issues as opportunities to discover practical strategies that fit each life.
She also encourages engagement in activities that support wellbeing, such as volunteering or joining community groups, believing that staying active can be an important part of making life more satisfying.
Wendie lets clients choose the pace and style of their work, including whether they prefer to have homework between sessions or focus mainly on in-session exploration. She commonly blends approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, and she frequently incorporates mindfulness practices alongside tools like journaling to help clients access and understand their feelings. Wendie asks questions to learn what a person needs and treats presenting issues as opportunities to discover practical strategies that fit each life.
She also encourages engagement in activities that support wellbeing, such as volunteering or joining community groups, believing that staying active can be an important part of making life more satisfying.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
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 Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Wendie Vanderwater have?
Wendie Vanderwater has 22 years of experience.
Is Wendie Vanderwater a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the LCSW credential, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: MT LCSW BBH-LCSW-LIC-32399.
In which languages does Wendie Vanderwater provide therapy?
Wendie provides therapy in English.
Where is Wendie Vanderwater located?
Wendie is located in Montana.
How can I work with Wendie Vanderwater as my therapist?
You can work with Wendie through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Wendie Vanderwater work with international clients?
Wendie Vanderwater does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Wendie Vanderwater cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with Wendie. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care
Wendie draws on client-centered therapy to create a collaborative, respectful environment where the client's perspective guides the process. This approach focuses on listening, empathy, and supporting each person to identify their own goals and strengths.She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy, a practical method that explores how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. CBT helps people develop concrete skills for managing symptoms like anxiety, depression, and stress by testing ideas and trying new behaviors.
Dialectical behavior therapy is a third approach Wendie often integrates; it blends skills training in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness with an emphasis on balancing acceptance and change. DBT can be useful for intense emotions, relationship challenges, and patterns that feel entrenched.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work together - Wendie collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts strategies as progress unfolds.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility: sessions can happen by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit therapy into busy lives or reach people in different locations. These options help make regular care more accessible while allowing therapists and licensed professionals to focus on meaningful, effective treatment.
Ready to start therapy with Wendie Vanderwater?
Take the first step toward a better you.