Wendy Goffena, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Wendy is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Montana and Wyoming
More about Wendy
- 9 years' experience
- Female
- LCSW
It is a pleasure to meet you and have the opportunity to work with you. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 9 years of experience providing therapy services in a Clinical setting, and cumulatively, 24 years in mental health services.
I am currently employed in a Community Mental Health Center in Central Montana, providing services to
a diverse population of clients ages 18-90 seeking assistance for their mental health and well-being. My client caseload is comprised of Military Veterans, people needing extra support cop8ng with common mental health issues, the severely mentally ill and disabled, and court mandated clients. I treat Indiduals and families affected by depression, anxiety, PTSD, victims of many types of abuse/trauma, complex grief and loss, anger management, and interpersonal relationship challenges related to hone, family, and work life.
I have a passion for helping others and my experience encompasses a wide range of therapeutic settings providing Individual, Group, and Family Therapy services to clients.
Experience: 5 years in a rural Montana County Mental Health Center,
2 years in Medical Social Work providing Therapeutic Support Services to patients, diagnosed with Stage 4/5 Chronic Kidney Failure,
16 years in an inpatient Residential Treatment Center for Emotionally Disturbed youth ages 8-18,
3 years in Department of Justice Correctional facility to Adolescent Girls 1 year in Child Protective Services, and
4 years providing services/case management to a partial and intensive outpatient day treatment programs in an alternative school.
A Montana native, I have lived in Montana most of my life and come from a farming and ranching background. I was raised in a hard working, law abiding family with strong values and beliefs. I earned my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Montana State University in Billings, Montana; and taught in small communities for 7 years. I returned to Graduate school in 2013. Graduated with Honors in 2015 with aMasters degree in Social Work from Walla Walla University Billings Satellite campus. I completed licensure requirements and have held a professional license for Licensed Clinical Social Work for 9 years.
My approach to therapy is client centered: clients are the experts on their lives and are the key instruments of integrating change into their lives. Working in collaboration with my clients to determine the direction and depth of therapy. Through a strengths-based and Motivational Interviewing perspective, I draw on multiple treatment modalities to guide clients in identifying strengths and developing treatment goals that help build confidence and empower them to accomplish their goals. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to assist clients in exploring relationships among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to aid in discovering dysfunctional thought patterns leading to self-destructive behaviors and beliefs. Utilization of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I support clients through development of mood regulation skills that include: mindfulness, positive coping skills, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and modulating emotional regulation. Action and Commitment Therapy (ACT) utilizing client strengths, acceptance and mindfulness strategies to increase psychological flexibility in inducing behavioral change. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) offering effective tools for processing past trauma experiences that impact interpersonal relationships and day to day functioning. My goal is to assist clients towards a life where they feel more joy and freedom from mental health symptoms and the ability to cope more effectively with the stressors of life .
Outside of my work as a therapist, I have many varied hobbies and interests. I enjoy the great Montana outdoors engaging in hiking, fishing, camping, exploring historical sites, rock-hounding, and gardening. I am an avid artist and enjoy expressing my creativity in many ways: drawing, painting, crocheting, and crafts. I also enjoy merging creativity with my therapy pursuits.
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SPECIALTIES
•Management of Stress, Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD-military and diverse trauma events
• Self-Esteem, Confidence, Empowerment
• Coping with Terminal Medical Illness and End of Life:Individual & Family
• Coping and Adjustment to adverse life events
Additional experience:
Trauma and abuse, Domestic violence, Interpretation Challenges: Relationship issues related to marriage & family, Intimacy, Parent/Child relationships Anger management , Career difficulties , Sleep Difficulty, Bipolar disorder , ADHD, Schizophrenia
Years of Clinical Licensed Experience: 9
Years of Mental Health Experience: 24
Specialties
Treatment Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Wendy Goffena's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1770966160.
- LCSW · Montana · BBH-LCSW-LIC-31489 · Expires December 2025
- LCSW · Wyoming · LCSW-1068 · Expires December 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Wendy Goffena
Frequently asked questions
Does Wendy Goffena offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Wendy Goffena works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Wendy Goffena speak?
Wendy Goffena speaks English.
How many years of experience does Wendy Goffena have?
Wendy Goffena has 9 years of experience.
Where is Wendy Goffena licensed to practice?
Wendy Goffena is licensed to practice in Montana and Wyoming.
Does Wendy Goffena accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Wendy Goffena does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Wendy Goffena offer?
Wendy Goffena offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Wendy Goffena?
Wendy Goffena can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Wendy Goffena?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.