- Guilt and shame
- Communication skills
- Self-worth work
About Wesley
Wesley Starlin is an Iowa-licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with 17 years of practice. He works with adults facing depression, anxiety, stress, trauma and bipolar disorder. Wesley also helps people who carry guilt and shame and who are struggling with social anxiety or loneliness.
He focuses on clear, practical conversation rather than jargon. Sessions address self-worth, communication skills, and learning ways to manage intense moods or intrusive thoughts. Wesley aims to help clients name what they feel and make small, manageable changes day to day.
Wesley listens for how a person’s beliefs, background, and values shape their sense of blame or regret. He supports people as they sort through remorse, forgiveness, and what they want next. The work often includes practicing new ways of talking to others and to oneself.
When trauma or past hurt is part of the picture, Wesley helps people tolerate difficult memories and reduce the power those memories hold over daily life. He also helps clients develop routines and skills that ease stress and improve mood stability for those managing bipolar symptoms.
Appointments are straightforward and focused on immediate steps alongside longer-term goals. Wesley encourages people to bring specific situations into sessions so they can practice responses and try different approaches between meetings.
Evidence-based approaches and how they work online
Two common, evidence-based techniques Wesley uses are behavioral skills training and trauma-focused strategies. Behavioral skills training teaches concrete ways to manage mood and anxiety, such as pacing activity, scheduling pleasant events, and practicing communication. Trauma-focused strategies help people learn to sit with difficult memories without being overwhelmed and reduce how often those memories drive reactions.He also draws on mood-management methods useful for people with bipolar symptoms, focusing on routines, early warning signs, and practical ways to stabilize daily rhythms. These methods aim to give specific tools rather than abstract ideas, and they can be practiced between sessions.
Finding the right approach is collaborative. Wesley will discuss your goals and preferences and help choose techniques that fit your situation. He reviews what’s working and adjusts plans so the methods match your pace and needs.
Confirm the exact session formats before booking since the biography does not list specific options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a weekday or evening, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. They also let people practice communication and coping skills in moments closer to real situations, which can help transfer new behaviors into daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
Iowa
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, and depression. Additional focus areas include guilt and shame, forgiveness, communication problems, and social anxiety.
How would he describe his therapeutic style?
He uses plain, practical conversation and focuses on skills you can use between sessions. The emphasis is on identifying feelings, practicing communication, and trying small changes.
How much experience does he have?
He has 17 years of experience working with people facing mood and trauma-related concerns.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor - and practices in Iowa.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions run on a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with him?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.