Wendy Goffena, LCSW
Montana LCSW focused on trauma and life transitions
- Trauma and abuse
- CBT and EMDR
- Veteran and rural care
About Wendy Goffena
Wendy Goffena is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with nine years of clinical therapy experience and a total of 24 years working in mental health services. Her LCSW credential indicates she is trained and licensed to provide clinical social work and psychotherapy. She practices in Central Montana at a Community Mental Health Center, supporting a broad age range of clients from 18 to 90.
Her caseload includes military veterans, people coping with common mental health concerns, individuals who are severely mentally ill or disabled, and court-mandated clients. She provides individual, group, and family therapy for depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma and abuse, complicated grief and loss, anger management, and interpersonal difficulties that affect home, family, and work life. Wendy also addresses issues such as sleep problems, self-esteem, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting and caregiver stress, career transitions, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue.
Wendy brings diverse clinical experience across many settings. Her background includes five years in a rural Montana county mental health center, two years in medical social work supporting patients with Stage 4 and 5 chronic kidney failure, sixteen 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 in 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 the requirements for clinical licensure and has maintained her LCSW for nine years.
Wendy’s therapeutic approach is client-centered, grounded in the view that clients are experts in their own lives and active partners in change. She uses a strengths-based stance and motivational interviewing to help clients identify goals and build confidence. Her clinical toolkit includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness-based techniques, and trauma-focused therapies. Her aim is to support people in gaining greater resilience, improving coping skills, and experiencing more satisfaction and freedom in daily life.
Outside of her professional work she enjoys the Montana outdoors through hiking, fishing, camping, exploring historical sites, rock-hounding, and gardening. She is also an avid artist. Wendy is based in Montana and is not currently accepting new clients.
Her caseload includes military veterans, people coping with common mental health concerns, individuals who are severely mentally ill or disabled, and court-mandated clients. She provides individual, group, and family therapy for depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma and abuse, complicated grief and loss, anger management, and interpersonal difficulties that affect home, family, and work life. Wendy also addresses issues such as sleep problems, self-esteem, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting and caregiver stress, career transitions, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue.
Wendy brings diverse clinical experience across many settings. Her background includes five years in a rural Montana county mental health center, two years in medical social work supporting patients with Stage 4 and 5 chronic kidney failure, sixteen 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 in 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 the requirements for clinical licensure and has maintained her LCSW for nine years.
Wendy’s therapeutic approach is client-centered, grounded in the view that clients are experts in their own lives and active partners in change. She uses a strengths-based stance and motivational interviewing to help clients identify goals and build confidence. Her clinical toolkit includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness-based techniques, and trauma-focused therapies. Her aim is to support people in gaining greater resilience, improving coping skills, and experiencing more satisfaction and freedom in daily life.
Outside of her professional work she enjoys the Montana outdoors through hiking, fishing, camping, exploring historical sites, rock-hounding, and gardening. She is also an avid artist. Wendy is based in Montana and is not currently accepting new clients.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
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?
She has 9 years of experience as a licensed clinical therapist.
Is Wendy Goffena a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the LCSW credential. LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: WY LCSW LCSW-1068, MT LCSW BBH-LCSW-LIC-31489.
In which languages does Wendy Goffena provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English.
Where is Wendy Goffena located?
Wendy is located in Montana.
How can I work with Wendy Goffena as my therapist?
Therapy can be delivered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Please note she is not currently accepting new clients and does not work with international clients.
Does Wendy Goffena work with international clients?
No. Wendy does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Wendy Goffena cost?
Costs can vary by location and therapist availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time for any reason. For current pricing and details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with a 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.
Could Remote Therapy Be a Good Fit?
Many people ask whether remote therapy can help with everyday struggles. For common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or life transitions, online therapy can offer outcomes comparable to traditional in-person care while providing greater convenience.One major benefit is flexibility. People can connect with a therapist in the way that best fits their schedule and comfort level - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text messaging. This flexibility can make it easier to maintain consistent sessions amid work, family, or caregiving responsibilities.
Licensed professionals provide therapy through these remote options, and individuals can seek a different therapist if they prefer a different fit. For many, remote sessions make regular mental health care more accessible and easier to integrate into everyday life.