Mary Gales-Wenz, LICSW

Mary Gales-Wenz is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with more than 40 years in behavioral health. She brings a calm, practical approach to stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma, grief, and mood concerns. Mary emphasizes clear, usable strategies people can try between sessions.

She moved into mental health care after earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work and spent two decades working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Cloud and Minneapolis. That work included both outpatient and inpatient settings, giving her broad experience with complex cases and medical systems.

After the VA, Mary provided services at Hazelden Center for Youth and Families, Allina Behavioral Health Clinics, and Central MN Mental Health Clinics. She has also supervised residential treatment for the Department of Corrections and worked in behavioral health management for a Minnesota insurance company. Since 2009 she has kept a small private practice alongside these roles.

Mary has worked with adults, seniors, and adolescents in chemical dependency and mental health treatment settings. Her clinical focus has included post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, sexual and physical trauma, and addictions. She also helps people dealing with chronic pain, illness, disability, and the stress of major life changes.

Her practice highlights the mind-body connection and therapies that help people understand how thoughts and body responses interact. She uses evidence-informed approaches such as client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior skills, emotionally-focused work, and mindfulness practices. Mary continues to update her skills and adapts her approach to each person’s needs.

How these approaches work for online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a respectful relationship so people can set their own goals and move at their own pace. It helps when someone needs steady support and clearer personal direction.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions interact. It teaches practical skills to change unhelpful thinking and behavior and is useful for anxiety, depression, and managing stress.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) brings concrete skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and strengthening relationships. It can be helpful for people facing mood instability, self-harm urges, or high stress.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to pick techniques that match their goals, needs, and preferences rather than using a single method for everyone.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people use mindfulness and behavioral exercises in the place where they live and work, making homework more practical and relevant.