Wendie Vanderwater, LCSW
Wendie Vanderwater offers practical, honest guidance
- Uses DBT and CBT
- Emphasizes mindfulness practice
- Offers flexible session formats
About Wendie Vanderwater
Wendie Vanderwater approaches therapy with straightforwardness and a steady focus on what helps each person most. She draws on a variety of evidence-informed methods and tailors them to the client - whether that means structured skill work, conversational exploration, or a blend of techniques. She creates a nonjudgmental space and encourages clients to choose the level of structure they prefer, including whether they want homework between sessions or to focus mainly on in-session work.
Wendie frequently combines approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and she often incorporates mindfulness practices and journaling to help people connect with their feelings. She uses DBT regularly and finds it effective for building emotion regulation and coping skills. She asks questions to discover what a person needs and treats presenting concerns as opportunities to identify practical strategies that fit the individual's life.
Practical action is part of Wendie's philosophy - she encourages clients to engage in activities that support well-being, like volunteering or joining a book club, as complements to therapeutic work. As an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), she brings clinical training and years of experience to collaborative treatment planning and focuses on finding what truly works for each client.
Wendie frequently combines approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and she often incorporates mindfulness practices and journaling to help people connect with their feelings. She uses DBT regularly and finds it effective for building emotion regulation and coping skills. She asks questions to discover what a person needs and treats presenting concerns as opportunities to identify practical strategies that fit the individual's life.
Practical action is part of Wendie's philosophy - she encourages clients to engage in activities that support well-being, like volunteering or joining a book club, as complements to therapeutic work. As an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), she brings clinical training and years of experience to collaborative treatment planning and focuses on finding what truly works for each client.
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, Wendie Vanderwater holds the LCSW credential. LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: MT LCSW BBH-LCSW-LIC-32399.
In which languages does Wendie Vanderwater provide therapy?
Wendie Vanderwater provides therapy in English.
Where is Wendie Vanderwater located?
Wendie Vanderwater is located in Montana.
How can I work with Wendie Vanderwater as my therapist?
You can work with Wendie Vanderwater 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 with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Approaches that translate well to online therapy
Wendie frequently uses dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to teach concrete skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and reducing impulsive behaviors. DBT often helps people who struggle with emotional ups and downs or relationship difficulties by offering step-by-step tools to practice between sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another core approach she applies - it focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can ease anxiety, depression, and stress by building practical coping strategies. Mindfulness therapy is woven into many sessions to help clients become more aware of present-moment experience and notice thoughts and feelings without judgment, supporting emotion regulation and stress reduction.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Wendie works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and daily life, and she adjusts the plan as progress unfolds. Clients are invited to try different techniques and decide how much structure or homework feels helpful.
Online therapy with Wendie is available by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules and those who prefer remote sessions. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access services from home, and integrate therapeutic tools into everyday routines.
Ready to start therapy with Wendie Vanderwater?
Take the first step toward a better you.