- 25 years experience
- Values-based methods
- English sessions
About Wesley
Wesley Hirst offers a calm, straightforward approach for people worried about parenting and family concerns. He speaks plainly about common fears and uncertainty. Wesley aims to help a person find practical ways to manage stress, anxiety, parenting strain, and relationship tensions.
With 25 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), he draws on a mix of methods to match each person's needs. Wesley uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Existential Therapy, and the Gottman Method to address problems like panic, grief, addiction, sleep or eating struggles, and low self-esteem.
Sessions focus on honest conversation, useful skills, and small changes that make daily life easier. He emphasizes building trust and treating people with respect and understanding. Wesley also frames work around values and life purpose when that matters to the person in the room.
He describes himself as someone who has been through many life roles - son, sibling, spouse, parent, employee, and employer - and says that lived experience informs his perspective. Outside work he enjoys camping, backpacking, music, biking, and photography, and mentions being a pet lover.
Wesley practices in Missouri and offers care in English. The site process requires completing a short matching questionnaire to get started and scheduling is handled after that step.
How these approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward those values. It often focuses on accepting difficult feelings while choosing actions that fit a person's goals, which can help with parenting stress and life changes.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical tools to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, panic attacks, sleep or eating problems, and low mood by practicing new skills between sessions.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and better communication. It can be useful for anger, relationship struggles, and intense emotions that disrupt daily life.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate to decide which methods fit the client's needs, goals, and preferences. That choice can shift over time as issues change or progress is made.
If you plan to try online therapy, confirm the session formats available before booking since the biography does not list them. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into busy days, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when a full session isn't needed. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and DBT exercises to an online setting so therapy focuses on practical skills and real-life changes.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Missouri
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Wesley help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, panic, and issues related to parenting and family. He also helps with sleep, eating, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, and life purpose questions.
What is his therapeutic style like?
His style is direct and practical, focused on skills and small changes. Conversations emphasize honesty, empathy, and building trust.
How long has he been practicing?
He has 25 years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) working with a variety of concerns and life stages.
Where does he practice and what are his credentials?
He practices in Missouri and holds an LPC credential. Sessions are offered in English.
Can I work with him from outside the United States?
International clients are not currently accepted; sessions are offered in English within his stated geographic practice.
What session formats are available?
The biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm the current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work together?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.