Marcia Tharp, LICSW, LCSW
Experienced Montana social worker focused on practical change
Continue with Marcia
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- Collaborative approach
- Mindfulness and CBT
- Stress and life changes
About Marcia
Marcia Tharp is a licensed social worker practicing in Montana with 18 years of experience. She holds LICSW and LCSW credentials and has worked across multiple settings and age groups. Marcia approaches therapy as a collaborative journey and aims to help people find their own answers to life problems.
Her style is practical and down-to-earth. Sessions focus on what is happening now and on small, useful steps forward. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Client-Centered Therapy to shape each person’s plan.
Marcia has worked with people managing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, and coping with life changes. She also helps with sleeping problems, parenting concerns, anger, self-esteem, career questions, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Additional areas she addresses include attachment and abandonment issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and other complex life concerns.
In sessions she aims to create an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be shared. The focus is on identifying choices and opportunities that feel realistic for each person. She frequently uses mindfulness and relaxation alongside talking-based techniques to build coping skills.
If someone is unsure how to begin, Marcia encourages taking the first step and completing a short matching questionnaire to see if working together makes sense.
Her style is practical and down-to-earth. Sessions focus on what is happening now and on small, useful steps forward. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Client-Centered Therapy to shape each person’s plan.
Marcia has worked with people managing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, and coping with life changes. She also helps with sleeping problems, parenting concerns, anger, self-esteem, career questions, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Additional areas she addresses include attachment and abandonment issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and other complex life concerns.
In sessions she aims to create an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be shared. The focus is on identifying choices and opportunities that feel realistic for each person. She frequently uses mindfulness and relaxation alongside talking-based techniques to build coping skills.
If someone is unsure how to begin, Marcia encourages taking the first step and completing a short matching questionnaire to see if working together makes sense.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
18+ years
Credentials
Montana, Washington
Languages
English
How these approaches translate to online work
The therapist often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy in sessions. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or depression. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to help manage stress and strong emotions.Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are also used to build emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. Those skills can help when someone feels overwhelmed or is coping with intense mood swings or relationship stress. Marcia will work with each person to decide which approaches fit their goals and daily life in a collaborative way.
Confirm the available session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow follow-up or brief check-ins when needed. Some people prefer shorter check-ins or audio-only calls when they need less screen time, while others choose full-length conversations. The therapist will help tailor the rhythm and focus of sessions to match practical needs and personal preferences.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Marcia commonly help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, and coping with life changes, along with related issues such as sleep problems, parenting stress, and career concerns.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and practical. She meets people where they are and focuses on small, realistic steps and skills.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 18 years of professional experience working in multiple settings and with a range of age groups.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds LICSW and LCSW credentials and practices in Montana.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to get started?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.