Mary Gales-Wenz, LICSW - Therapist in Minnesota

40 years experience
Mind-body focus
Trauma and addiction

About Mary

Mary Gales-Wenz is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with more than 40 years in behavioral health. She draws on long experience to help people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief, and major life changes in straightforward, practical ways.

Her work began after earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work and includes two decades at the Department of Veterans Affairs in both St. Cloud and Minneapolis. She later provided mental health services at Hazelden Center for Youth and Families, Allina Behavioral Health Clinics, and Central MN Mental Health Clinics. She also has experience supervising residential treatment for the Department of Corrections and in behavioral health management for a Minnesota insurance organization.

Since 2009 she has maintained a small private practice while continuing clinical work across inpatient and outpatient settings. She has helped adults, seniors, and adolescents in chemical dependency and mental health programs, addressing post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma from sexual and physical abuse.

Mary pays attention to the mind-body connection and uses therapies that help people understand how emotions and physical sensations interact. She also uses approaches that focus on goals, present problems, and emotional processing to help clients move forward.

She holds a Minnesota LICSW and keeps current with research and evolving treatment approaches. To start, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

Approaches that translate to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person's own experience and priorities, with the therapist listening carefully and reflecting what matters most. This approach helps people feel heard and can support work on stress, self-esteem, and life changes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions, then teaches skills to shift unhelpful patterns. CBT is practical for anxiety, depression, and managing mood symptoms. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills to reduce overwhelming reactions and improve coping.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and try methods that fit those goals and preferences. That collaboration shapes whether sessions emphasize skills practice, emotional processing, or present-focused problem solving.

Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, shorten travel time, and allow check-ins during a work break or between other commitments. It can also let people choose sessions that match their energy level, such as a shorter check-in or a full therapy hour when more time is available.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma and abuse Grief Depression

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCoping with natural or human-caused disaster Domestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issues Guilt and shameMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces Issues Mood disorders Post-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSexual assault and abuseSomatizationWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

40+ years

Credentials

Minnesota

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Mary commonly address?

She helps people coping with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, self-esteem, and related issues.

What is her general approach in therapy?

She uses client-centered methods along with goal-focused techniques to help people talk through problems and practice new skills.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Mary has over 40 years of experience in a range of behavioral health settings, including long-term work with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

What credential does she hold and where is she based?

She is a Minnesota LICSW and practices in Minnesota.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the US work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are sessions priced?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin a counseling relationship?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist’s availability.