Wendie Vanderwater, LCSW

Wendie Vanderwater is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 22 years of experience who works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma and depression. She takes a straightforward, down-to-earth approach and aims to create a nonjudgmental space where clients can explore what is getting in the way of feeling better. Wendie tailors treatment to each person - some prefer practical homework between sessions while others want to focus only on the moment-to-moment work that happens in therapy.

She commonly combines approaches such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and weaves mindfulness practices and journaling into care as ways to notice and name feelings. Wendie uses DBT regularly in her work and emphasizes skills that help with emotion regulation, distress tolerance and healthier relationships. She asks questions to understand each person’s needs and treats problems as invitations to discover strategies that fit the individual.

Based in Montana, Wendie encourages clients to stay engaged in life outside sessions - volunteering, joining a book club, or other activities that bring connection and meaning. Her style is honest, practical and compassionate, supporting people as they take steps toward greater balance and satisfaction.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Wendie integrates several practical approaches to help people manage difficult emotions and improve relationships. Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT - focuses on building skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness, and Wendie uses these skills regularly in her practice to help clients handle intense feelings and conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT - centers on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, making it a useful option for anxiety, depression and stress-related concerns. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness through simple practices and journaling to help people notice thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Wendie works collaboratively to determine what fits each person’s needs, goals and preferences. She may combine methods or adjust the balance between skill-building and exploration based on what works for the individual.

Online therapy with Wendie is offered by video call, phone session, live chat or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options allow people to receive consistent care from licensed professionals while making it easier to maintain therapy alongside work, family and daily responsibilities.