Mary Gales-Wenz, LICSW
LICSW with 40 years of experience
- Stress and anxiety support
- Trauma and addiction care
- Flexible online sessions
About Mary Gales-Wenz
Mary Gales-Wenz is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW) with more than four decades of clinical experience across a wide range of behavioral health settings. After earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work, she spent 20 years providing both outpatient and inpatient care at the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Cloud and Minneapolis, developing extensive experience with veterans and complex mental health challenges.
Her career expanded into roles with the 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 healthcare management for a Minnesota insurance company. Since 2009 she has maintained a small private practice, bringing steady clinical oversight and individualized care to adults, seniors, and adolescents.
Mary has worked in chemical dependency and mental health treatment settings addressing post-traumatic stress, anxiety, sexual and physical trauma, depression, and related conditions. She stays current with evolving research and treatment methods, with a particular interest in the mind-body connection and therapies that help clients understand that link. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, an approach designed to help people process emotional and cognitive aspects of difficult memories and experiences.
Her career expanded into roles with the 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 healthcare management for a Minnesota insurance company. Since 2009 she has maintained a small private practice, bringing steady clinical oversight and individualized care to adults, seniors, and adolescents.
Mary has worked in chemical dependency and mental health treatment settings addressing post-traumatic stress, anxiety, sexual and physical trauma, depression, and related conditions. She stays current with evolving research and treatment methods, with a particular interest in the mind-body connection and therapies that help clients understand that link. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, an approach designed to help people process emotional and cognitive aspects of difficult memories and experiences.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTFamily conflictsSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSexual assault and abuseSomatizationWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Mindfulness Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Mary Gales-Wenz have?
Mary Gales-Wenz has 40 years of experience.
Is Mary Gales-Wenz a licensed therapist?
Yes, she holds the credential LICSW. License details: MN LICSW 4518.
In which languages does Mary Gales-Wenz provide therapy?
Mary Gales-Wenz provides therapy in English.
Where is Mary Gales-Wenz located?
Mary Gales-Wenz is located in Minnesota.
How can I work with Mary Gales-Wenz as my therapist?
You can work with Mary Gales-Wenz through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Mary Gales-Wenz work with international clients?
Mary Gales-Wenz does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Mary Gales-Wenz cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Mary uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a supportive, empathetic environment in which individuals lead the pace and focus of their work; this approach is often helpful when people are navigating life transitions, grief, or self-esteem concerns.She also draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people identify and modify patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to anxiety, depression, and some substance use challenges, offering practical strategies clients can use between sessions.
Mindfulness Therapy is incorporated to promote present-moment awareness and improved emotional regulation, which can support coping with chronic pain, stress, and mood-related symptoms.
Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Mary collaborates with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts techniques over time so the work matches what the client hopes to achieve.
Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to maintain continuity of care. These formats offer flexibility in how and when clients connect with licensed professionals and can support consistent progress even when life is unpredictable.