About
YOUR THERAPIST

I’m Wes. One of the best ways to get to know someone is to hear about a mistake they’ve made—and what they learned from it. Mine involves The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan.  

 

In the summer of 2007, I owned a pet business in a competitive neighborhood in Southern California. Every month I wrote and mailed a paper-and-ink newsletter to my clients. I wanted to interview Cesar Millan for my newsletter and knew that his doggie bootcamp was near my business. So I wrote a letter. But when I tried printing it, I realized that the ink on my printer was empty. This must be a sign, I thought. Cesar’s not going to read or respond to my letter. I should give up. 

 

But another voice in my head challenged this negative self talk: Well, maybe Cesar won’t read my letter. But I should at least give it a try. 

 

I saved the letter to a hard drive. And asked my wife if she wanted to walk to Kinkos with me to print it. Off we went…  

 

About an hour later and after we printed the letter, my wife and I were walking home alongside the Pacific Coast Highway, when a gust of wind blew the letter out of my hands and into oncoming traffic. A million cars seemed to run it over. Poof! My letter was gone. And so too were my hopes of connecting with Cesar. 

 

But sometimes someone is there for you when you need it most. 

 

“We should print another letter,” my wife said. Every ounce of me wanted to quit. But I knew she was right. So we walked back to Kinkos and printed a second letter. I mailed it. And a few weeks later, the producer of The Dog Whisperer, Kay Sumner, called and asked if I was open to filming The Dog Whisperer at my business. “Of course,” I said. “I’d be honored!” 

 

I am immensely grateful for this opportunity and realize that luck and timing and a million other things that I had ZERO control over (including my amazing wife) helped open this door. 

 

One lesson I took from this situation is that sometimes we are just a step or two away from a breakthrough. We just need to take the first step. We have to push the first domino. We have to stay in the game and do something. Oftentimes, this is not easy or fun. But it’s what life requires of us. 

 

I’m glad you are here. And if you reach out to me, I want you to know that I don’t have magic bullets or simple solutions or magic sauce. I am a regular guy who is trying my best, too. But I do have lived experience. And perhaps my lived experience can help you move towards your goals. Here’s an abbreviated version of my resume: 

 

• In 1998, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science. 

 

• In 1999, I went to grad school (the first time) and became a registered dietitian. 

 

• From 2000 to 2006, I was an account manager in medical sales. 

 

• In 2006, I opened a pet business that did grooming, doggie daycare and pet retail products. 

 

• In 2011, I opened and operated an advertising business. 

 

• In 2020, I started grad school (the second time) at Northwestern University. I graduated in March 2022 with a Master’s in clinical mental health counseling and opened a private practice in April 2022. 

 

• I am a licensed professional counselor in Oregon. 

 

My passion is family. I have an amazing partner (as you already know) who I’ve been with for 23 years. We have a young son who I love with every cell in my body.

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I am also a Little League coach, food-cart connoisseur, cyclist, swimmer, runner, guitarist, friend, wanna-be chef, Mike Mentzer-devotee, true crime buff, writer, mistake-maker, voracious reader, and hopefully a down-to-earth guy. I was also a scholarship athlete in baseball at a Division I college. 

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I practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I believe that counseling should be a space to gain insight to feel better and learn tools to get better.

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I value family, health, growth, gratitude, confidence and humility. I also appreciate creativity, compassion, courage, kindness, collaboration, loyalty, reliability, authenticity and vulnerability.

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If I had a billion dollars, I would live the same life I’m living. I am grateful to have work I enjoy, a family I adore, friends I connect with, good health, hobbies that keep me busy, perspective on my flaws, appreciation for my strengths and humility to be the best me I can be.

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PLEASE NOTE: I see clients via telehealth and walk-and-talk therapy (aka ecotherapy). If I have an opening for ecotherapy, we will meet for 45 to 55 minutes at either Mt. Tabor or Forest park. You may get more benefits from ecotherapy because it gives you talk-therapy, exercise and forest bathing. I can’t guarantee I have an ecotherapy spot open because these slots fill up fast. 

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If you feel we may be a good fit, call or email me. And let's connect.

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Thank you for getting to know me! I wish you and your loved ones good health and happiness.