- Client-centered methods
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness practice
About Mary
Mary Gales-Wenz is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Minnesota with over 40 years of experience. She works with adults on concerns such as anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, stress, and family of origin issues. She also addresses sleep problems, anger, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.
Her work history includes long-term roles at the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Cloud and Minneapolis, plus positions with Hazelden Center for Youth and Families and Allina Behavioral Health Clinics. She has provided outpatient and inpatient care, supervised residential treatment, and held roles in behavioral healthcare management. Since 2009 she has maintained a small private practice.
Mary has experience with chemical dependency and mental health treatment settings, and has worked with adults, seniors, and adolescents. Areas she has addressed include post-traumatic stress, sexual and physical trauma, bipolar and mood disorders, and self-harm. She also focuses on chronic pain, codependency, first responder and veteran issues, and compassion fatigue.
Her clinical approach draws on client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), emotionally-focused therapy (EFT), and mindfulness. She is interested in the mind-body connection and in helping people understand how physical symptoms and emotions interact.
Mary has training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy and keeps her skills current with new research and treatment methods. She aims to work collaboratively with people to address practical problems, relationships, and coping strategies as they arise.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-centered therapy puts the person’s priorities first and focuses on real concerns in everyday life. Online sessions using this approach involve talking through current problems, setting practical goals, and deciding what feels most useful.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying patterns of thought and behavior and testing small changes. In remote sessions CBT can include brief exercises, homework between meetings, and step-by-step problem solving for anxiety, depression, or stress.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for managing strong emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness. When applied online it often emphasizes skill practice, grounding techniques, and short behavioral experiments that can be done between sessions.
Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will work with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. This is a collaborative process that may combine client-centered support, CBT tools, DBT skills, and mindfulness exercises.
Format options are not listed in the original profile, so confirm current session types before booking. Online work can make scheduling easier, allow shorter check-in meetings when needed, and remove travel time. It also makes it simpler to keep appointments during busy weeks or when fitting sessions into a workday.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
Minnesota
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, family of origin issues, and related concerns such as sleep problems, anger, and self-esteem.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and collaborative, using practical techniques from CBT and DBT alongside mindfulness and emotionally-focused work.
How much experience does she have?
She has more than 40 years of experience in behavioral health settings, including long-term roles at the Department of Veterans Affairs and work with treatment clinics.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and practices in Minnesota.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
The original profile does not list session formats. Please confirm the current session options before booking.
How do I get started and what does cost look like?
Getting started involves selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session. Cost varies by location and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.