Wendy Goffena, LCSW
Montana LCSW specializing in trauma and anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Anxiety and depression
- Veteran and adult care
About Wendy Goffena
Wendy Goffena is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with nine years providing therapy services in a clinical setting and a total of 24 years of experience in mental health work. She practices in Central Montana at a Community Mental Health Center where she serves a wide age range of adults from 18 to 90. Her caseload has included military veterans, people seeking extra support for common mental health concerns, individuals who are severely mentally ill or disabled, and court mandated clients.
She treats individuals and families dealing with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, various forms of abuse and trauma, complex grief and loss, anger management, and interpersonal challenges that affect home, family, and work life. Her clinical background spans multiple settings and populations, including five years in a rural Montana county mental health center, two years in medical social work providing therapeutic support to patients with advanced chronic kidney failure, 16 years in an inpatient residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed youth aged 8 to 18, three years working in a Department of Justice correctional facility serving adolescent girls, one year in child protective services, and four years providing services and case management for partial and intensive outpatient day treatment programs in an alternative school.
A Montana native from a farming and ranching family, she earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Montana State University Billings and taught in small communities for seven years. She returned to graduate school in 2013 and graduated with honors in 2015 with a Master of Social Work from Walla Walla University Billings satellite campus. She completed licensure requirements and has held her LCSW professional license for nine years.
Her therapeutic stance is client centered, grounded in a strengths-based and motivational interviewing perspective that honors clients as experts on their own lives. She integrates multiple modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, to help clients identify strengths, set meaningful goals, and develop practical skills for mood regulation, coping, and healthier relationships. Outside of clinical work she enjoys Montana outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, exploring historical sites, rock-hounding, and gardening, and she is an avid artist.
She treats individuals and families dealing with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, various forms of abuse and trauma, complex grief and loss, anger management, and interpersonal challenges that affect home, family, and work life. Her clinical background spans multiple settings and populations, including five years in a rural Montana county mental health center, two years in medical social work providing therapeutic support to patients with advanced chronic kidney failure, 16 years in an inpatient residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed youth aged 8 to 18, three years working in a Department of Justice correctional facility serving adolescent girls, one year in child protective services, and four years providing services and case management for partial and intensive outpatient day treatment programs in an alternative school.
A Montana native from a farming and ranching family, she earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Montana State University Billings and taught in small communities for seven years. She returned to graduate school in 2013 and graduated with honors in 2015 with a Master of Social Work from Walla Walla University Billings satellite campus. She completed licensure requirements and has held her LCSW professional license for nine years.
Her therapeutic stance is client centered, grounded in a strengths-based and motivational interviewing perspective that honors clients as experts on their own lives. She integrates multiple modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, to help clients identify strengths, set meaningful goals, and develop practical skills for mood regulation, coping, and healthier relationships. Outside of clinical work she enjoys Montana outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, exploring historical sites, rock-hounding, and gardening, and she is an avid artist.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
Aging and geriatric issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesEmptinessFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues
Therapeutic Approach
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Wendy Goffena have?
Wendy Goffena has nine years of experience providing therapy services in a clinical setting and a cumulative 24 years of experience in mental health services.
Is Wendy Goffena a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details are WY LCSW LCSW-1068 and MT LCSW BBH-LCSW-LIC-31489.
In which languages does Wendy Goffena provide therapy?
Wendy Goffena provides therapy in English.
Where is Wendy Goffena located?
Wendy Goffena is located in Montana.
How can I work with Wendy Goffena as my therapist?
You can work with Wendy Goffena through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Wendy Goffena work with international clients?
No. Wendy Goffena does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Wendy Goffena 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 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.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Wendy often uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, emphasizes values-guided action and present-moment awareness to build psychological flexibility and support change when life feels overwhelming. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps clients identify and reshape unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, offers a structured approach to processing past traumatic experiences that continue to affect daily functioning and relationships.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to explore goals, preferences, and practical needs, and adapts techniques so the approach fits the client rather than forcing a single method.
Online sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to access care from home, work, or while traveling. These options increase flexibility for scheduling, allow ongoing support between in-person opportunities, and help people maintain continuity of care when life circumstances change.