PuttingFamilyFirst

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BW Portrait of Brian Willshire
Online therapist

Brian Willshire

Practical support for parenting and family stress

Credentials
LPC
Experience
20 years
Licensed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Brian

Brian Willshire offers help for common family and parenting concerns such as stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, depression, parenting challenges, anger, low self-esteem, and coping with life changes. He speaks plainly and listens first, then helps people sort what they can control from what they cannot. Brian emphasizes clearer thinking and setting practical boundaries to reduce daily strain.

Brian brings 20 years of counseling experience and holds the Licensed Professional Counselor credential - LPC.

Background and approach

He was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in the Kalamazoo Diocese in April 2024 and mentions faith when clients request faith-based support. He also works with people of other or no faith traditions and will not impose religious guidance unless asked. His style is straightforward and conversation-driven.

Expect focused sessions that identify specific problems and test practical steps between meetings. He uses evidence-based tools while keeping language simple and actionable. The methods used include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to reframe unhelpful thoughts, Mindfulness techniques to reduce reactivity, and Solution-Focused strategies to set short-term goals.

Brian aims to help clients try small changes that can ease tension at home and in daily life. Sessions are goal-oriented and tailored to each person. Brian encourages clear communication and concrete boundary-setting as part of emotional recovery.

He invites anyone looking for practical support to start with a short match and see if the approach fits.

Approaches that translate well to online care

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, helps people notice and change thoughts that increase stress or anxiety. It breaks problems into small steps and tests new ways of thinking and behaving to reduce symptoms and improve daily routines. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention practices to lower reactivity and stay calmer in tense moments; it is useful for stress, anger, and worry. Solution-Focused Therapy centers on short-term, practical goals and on what works now, so sessions often end with clear tasks to try before the next meeting.

Finding the right method is a joint process. The therapist will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and comfort level, then try approaches that match those preferences. Adjustments are made over time so the plan fits how the client wants to live and parent day to day.

Online sessions offer flexibility through video calls, phone meetings, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit sessions around busy schedules and to practice strategies in real-life settings. For many people, remote therapy lets them work on stress, relationships, and parenting with less travel and more consistent contact with a licensed professional.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Brian address?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family matters, depression, grief, parenting, anger, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.
What is his therapeutic style like?
His approach is straightforward and conversational, focusing on clear thinking, boundary-setting, and practical steps between sessions.
How much clinical experience does he have?
Brian has 20 years of counseling experience and brings that background to his sessions.
What credentials and location are listed?
He is a Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC, license MI LPC 6401004052, and practices in Michigan.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can clients from other countries work with him?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
He conducts video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.
How are costs and the subscription handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Experience
20 years
Licensed
Michigan
Languages
English

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