Wendy Goffena, LCSW

Wendy Goffena is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nine years as an LCSW and many more years in mental health services. She practices in Montana and brings hands-on experience from multiple clinical settings. Wendy focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, caregiving strain, and changes that come with aging.

Her work tends to be straightforward and practical. She asks about what’s happening now and what people want to be different. Sessions often focus on identifying strengths, setting small goals, and building coping skills that can be used day to day. She uses tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to notice thinking patterns and from mindfulness-based approaches to increase calm and flexibility.

Wendy also incorporates strategies from dialectical behavior therapy to help with mood regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. For people with traumatic memories, she offers EMDR as a way to process painful events that continue to affect daily life. She blends these methods to match each person’s needs rather than using a single fixed plan.

Her background includes work in community mental health, medical social work, inpatient youth treatment, correctional settings, child protective services, and outpatient programs. That variety shapes a practical style that respects life constraints and real-world responsibilities. She draws on strengths and motivational interviewing to keep therapy collaborative and goal-focused.

Outside of clinical work she enjoys Montana outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and gardening, and keeps an active art practice. These interests inform a grounded, relatable approach to care.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Wendy uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people notice links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and then try practical changes to reduce distress and improve daily routines. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another approach she draws on; it focuses on building psychological flexibility through values-based action and mindfulness to help people move toward a meaningful life despite difficult emotions. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is offered as a tool for processing painful memories that continue to affect relationships and functioning.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Wendy will work with each person to review options, try techniques, and adjust the plan based on how well methods match goals and preferences. She treats the selection of methods as a collaborative process rather than a fixed prescription.

Confirm current session options before booking since formats were not specified in the biography. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people access clinicians while living in rural areas of Montana. Ask about session length, scheduling, and any format details when you complete the matching questionnaire.