Dr. Mark Thelen, MN Psychologist 2992

Dr. Mark Thelen helps people who are worn down by stress, anxiety, grief, or life changes find steadier ground. He speaks plainly and listens for what matters most to each person. His approach focuses on practical steps you can try between sessions to notice real change.

He has worked in Minnesota for 40 years across community mental health centers, hospital units, small group clinics, and a private practice. That range of settings shaped a straightforward style that mixes problem-solving with attention to personal meaning. He treats common struggles like depression, anger, sleep problems, addiction, and compassion fatigue as interconnected parts of a life story rather than isolated issues.

In sessions he centers the person’s perspective and uses tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhelpful thinking and build better habits. He also draws on client-centered and narrative ideas to make space for personal values and the stories people tell about themselves. Solution-focused techniques are used when people want short-term, goal-directed change.

Mark emphasizes collaboration and clear steps. People work together to set modest, achievable goals and track what helps. He explains concepts in everyday language and offers practical exercises tailored to each situation.

He works with a wide range of concerns including relationship and family strain, parenting stress, ADHD-related challenges, bipolar mood concerns, and coping with loss or major transitions. Sessions are offered in English from his Minnesota practice and are designed to fit people’s real lives.

Approaches and how online therapy fits your life

Dr. Thelen combines cognitive behavioral therapy and client-centered approaches to guide online work. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes that reduce anxiety or lift mood. Client-centered work focuses on hearing what matters to the person and using that understanding to shape goals.

He also draws on existential and narrative ideas when people want to make sense of major life changes or rewrite parts of their life story. These approaches can help with grief, identity questions, commitment issues, and coping with big transitions. Choosing the right approach is collaborative; he will talk with each person about goals and preferences and adapt methods as the work progresses.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to offer flexibility. Video calls are useful for face-to-face conversation and exercises that benefit from visual cues. Phone sessions can fit into a short break or require less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging are helpful for brief check-ins, ongoing coaching-style support, or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around work, childcare, or travel while trying approaches that match personal needs.