Mary Widseth, LPC

Mary Lynn Widseth is a licensed mental health professional with a strong focus on helping people understand themselves and their relationships. She holds a master’s degree in Community Psychology and Rehabilitation Counseling from Saint Cloud State University and a certificate in Autism, and she earned a bachelor’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin - Stout. Mary is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor - and is also certified as a CRC, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, with a practice emphasis on adults.

Across seven years of experience, Mary has worked with marginalized adult populations, supporting individuals with cognitive, mental, physical, or communication differences in workplace and community settings. Early in her career she coordinated group and individual placements, provided transportation and on-the-job training, and collaborated closely with staff, clients, and employers to address barriers to employment. Those efforts included communicating across language differences using conversational Spanish and sign language when needed.

Following her graduate work, Mary provided two years of in-home therapy for children aged seven to 18 and their families, and she spent an additional two years as a mental health therapist in an office setting serving adults and children. Her clinical experience includes work with transgender and bisexual adults, people living with addictions, and individuals addressing body-related changes after surgical procedures. She has used a variety of techniques to help children and families with behavioral and emotional regulation, communication, and social and family relationships, and to assist adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, relationship skills, and daily functioning.

Having been diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age, Mary draws on personal insight to relate to clients’ practical challenges and to approach problem solving creatively. She also brings experience in working with language barriers through tools such as picture books, rebus boards, and sign language to support communication and engagement.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Mary uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive space where the client's experiences and goals guide each session. This approach emphasizes empathy and active listening so clients can explore values, strengths, and personal solutions, and it is helpful for relationship concerns, life transitions, and self-esteem work.

She also applies cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and patterns and to develop practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. CBT focuses on skill building and behavioral experiments that can translate well to remote formats.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills are used when clients need tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT teaches concrete strategies that support better coping with intense emotions and improve communication within relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Mary works collaboratively with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts techniques over time so the treatment plan fits the client’s life and progress.

Online therapy with Mary is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options provide flexibility for scheduling, make it easier to maintain continuity of care across busy days, and support access to therapy for those who live far from an office or who prefer remote communication with licensed professionals and therapists.