Mary Gales-Wenz, LICSW

Mary Gales-Wenz is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with 40 years of experience across a wide range of behavioral health settings. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Work and the credential LICSW - a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - which authorizes independent clinical practice. Her career includes two decades with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, working at both the St. Cloud and Minneapolis hospitals in outpatient and inpatient programs.

Following her service with the VA, Mary provided mental health care with Hazelden Center for Youth and Families, Allina Behavioral Health Clinics, and Central MN Mental Health Clinics. She has also served in clinical supervision roles for residential treatment within the Department of Corrections, performed behavioral healthcare management for a local Minnesota insurance company, and has maintained a small private practice since 2009.

Mary has worked therapeutically with adults, seniors, and adolescents in chemical dependency and mental health treatment contexts, addressing post-traumatic stress, anxiety, sexual and physical trauma, depression, and related concerns. She stays current with evolving research and treatment methods and has a particular interest in the mind-body connection and therapies that help people understand it. Mary is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, an approach designed to process the full emotional and cognitive aspects of traumatic memories and related experiences.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Mary draws on client-centered therapy to create a supportive space where the person directs the pace and focus of work; this approach emphasizes respect, empathy, and collaboration to help address life transitions, grief, and relationship concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns; CBT can be effective for anxiety, depression, stress, and many everyday coping challenges. Mary also integrates mindfulness therapy techniques to help people develop present-moment awareness and self-regulation skills, which can reduce reactivity and support emotional balance.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Mary works collaboratively with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and to tailor methods over time so treatment fits the individual rather than forcing a single model.

Online sessions can be delivered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for scheduling and location. These options make it easier to keep continuity of care during busy weeks or life changes, and they allow licensed professionals to provide consistent, ongoing support in a way that fits a person’s routine.