Wesley Hirst
Compassionate counselor guiding practical change
LPC Missouri
- Experience
- 25 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English
About Wesley
Wesley Hirst welcomes people who are weighing whether therapy can help them manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief, or challenges like addiction and ADHD. He opens sessions with a focus on building trust and understanding so clients can explore their hopes, values, and life changes without judgment.
Background and approach
With 25 years as a licensed professional counselor, Wesley blends practical, evidence-based techniques with a respectful, compassionate stance. He uses approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Existential Therapy, and the Gottman Method to address emotional pain, coping skills, intimacy issues, panic, and questions of life purpose.
His experience also includes work with trauma, substance-related concerns, sleep and eating struggles, parenting and family dynamics. Wesley emphasizes collaboration and honest communication, inviting clients to bring their full stories and goals into the work.
Outside of practice he enjoys outdoor activities, music, and photography, and draws on both professional training and lived experience to relate to the complexity of everyday life.
Online Options with Practical, Evidence-Based Methods
Wesley frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; this approach is useful for anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and many everyday challenges. He also incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which focuses on clarifying values and building psychological flexibility so people can move toward meaningful life goals despite difficult thoughts or feelings. Dialectical Behavior Therapy informs skills training in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness when those areas are a focus.Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. Wesley works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and then recommends techniques or combinations of methods that fit the individual's situation. Clients are invited to provide feedback so the plan can be adjusted over time for better fit and progress.
Online therapy with Wesley is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which supports flexibility for busy schedules and different comfort levels. These formats make it possible to access licensed professionals from Missouri without travel, helping people continue work on coping skills, relationship concerns, life transitions, and other goals in ways that fit their daily routines.
Frequently asked questions
What issues does this therapist commonly address?
How would you describe the therapeutic style and approach?
What is the clinician's professional background?
What are the credentials and where is he located?
Are sessions available in other languages or to international clients?
Which session formats does he offer?
How much do sessions cost?
What steps are involved in beginning with this therapist?
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Licensed
Missouri
Languages
English