Mary Gales-Wenz , LICSW

Mary Gales-Wenz is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with 40 years of experience working across a broad range of behavioral health settings. After earning a Master of Social Work, she spent 20 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs at both the St. Cloud and Minneapolis hospitals, serving in outpatient and inpatient roles and gaining extensive experience with veterans and related mental health concerns.

Her career has also included roles at Hazelden Center for Youth and Families, Allina Behavioral Health Clinics, and Central Minnesota Mental Health Clinics, along with clinical supervision of residential treatment for the Department of Corrections and behavioral health management for a Minnesota insurance company. She has maintained a small private practice since 2009, offering ongoing care to adults, seniors, and adolescents in chemical dependency and mental health treatment settings.

Mary has worked with conditions such as post-traumatic stress, anxiety, sexual and physical trauma, depression, addictions, grief, and a range of mood and life-change issues. She keeps her skills current with new research and treatment methods and has a particular interest in the mind-body connection. Mary is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, a model that helps individuals process both emotional and cognitive aspects of difficult memories. Her LICSW credential indicates she is licensed to practice independently as a social worker.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Mary Gales-Wenz

Mary uses client-centered therapy to build a collaborative relationship that focuses on the client's values, strengths, and goals. This approach helps people feel heard and supported while exploring personal challenges such as grief, life transitions, and self-esteem concerns.

She also incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with addictions by teaching practical skills and problem-solving strategies.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques are part of her toolbox when clients need help with emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and managing intense reactions. DBT skills can be especially helpful for mood disorders, anger, and situations that involve self-harm risk or high stress.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Mary works with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Mary is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for varied schedules and life demands. These options make it possible to access skilled, licensed professionals from different locations while fitting therapy into everyday routines.