About
- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and addiction
- Mindfulness and CBT
About Mary
Mary Gales-Wenz is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (MN LICSW) with 40 years of practice in behavioral health. She has worked across inpatient and outpatient settings and continues to offer clinical care from Minnesota. Her listed concerns include stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, LGBT issues, sleep problems, anger, self-esteem, career matters, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.
After earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work, she spent two decades at the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Cloud and Minneapolis. There she provided care in both outpatient and inpatient programs. Later roles included work with Hazelden Center for Youth and Families, Allina Behavioral Health Clinics, and Central MN Mental Health Clinics.
Her experience also covers 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. Across these settings she has worked with adults, seniors, and adolescents in chemical dependency and mental health programs.
Mary has supported people facing post-traumatic stress, anxiety, sexual and physical trauma, depression, and substance-related difficulties. She notes an interest in the mind-body connection and in therapies that help people understand how body states and emotions interact. She also has experience with issues such as chronic pain, codependency, domestic violence, and family of origin concerns.
Her approach draws on client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, emotionally-focused methods, and mindfulness practices. She keeps current with new research and treatment approaches and uses those that fit each person's goals and situation.
How sessions work
How Mary approaches therapy online
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and helping people define their own goals. It is about building understanding and using the client's perspective to guide progress, often useful for stress, relationship strain, and grief.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It uses practical tools and exercises to change unhelpful patterns and can help with anxiety, mood concerns, and sleep problems.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) brings skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and better interpersonal boundaries. Those skills are often applied when anger, intense emotions, or self-harm risk are part of the picture.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and help decide which methods fit the client's needs, goals, and preferences. That choice is collaborative and can change as therapy progresses.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online session options before booking. Many people find online work helpful for fitting therapy into busy days, shortening travel time, and allowing check-ins between other responsibilities. Ask about the specific session style and timing when you complete the matching questionnaire and schedule the first appointment.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
Minnesota
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with related to family life?
She lists family and parenting among her concerns and helps people work through family conflict, family of origin issues, and parenting strain as part of broader therapy.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses client-centered work combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior ideas, emotionally-focused methods, and mindfulness techniques to address practical problems and emotional patterns.
How many years has she worked in behavioral health?
She has 40 years of experience across inpatient and outpatient settings, including long-term roles at the Department of Veterans Affairs and community treatment programs.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with a Minnesota LICSW and practices from Minnesota.
Which languages are used in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she see people outside the United States?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Costs vary with location; sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.