Mary Wesley

Just your (a)typical, (un)reserved, lil 'ol queer therapist who is determined to decimate the abusive gatekeeping practices and harmful barriers restricting access to safe, life-saving gender affirming care. Clients call me the "Vigilante Therapist" because I'll go “Above and beyond to help where others won’t” by aiming to eliminate the barriers that people face to accessing services, looking at the full picture to get to the root of issues, and providing a realistic understanding and flexibility that allows my clients to maintain control of over their therapeutic experience. I'm devoted to providing safe, affirming tele-therapy for LGBTQIA2S+ youth** and adults in OH and MI (at the time of service). I also specialize in referral letters for Gender Affirming Services for all ages. I am a therapist who is kink, sex worker, and poly-affirming and in my free time can be found giving back to my community by volunteering with various LGBTQIA2S+ organizations. I partner with multiple harm reduction programs to provide alternative access to safe-use supplies of every type. I recognize the trauma caused by our typical public 'safety' systems, as well as by other clinicians in the medical and mental health fields. I also understand the great importance of focusing on safer alternatives whenever possible. I acknowledge that you are the expert on you. I recognize my privilege as a white cis female and am mindful of biases and welcome correction and constructive criticism. I am committed to listening to my community, continually learning, and adapting accordingly to provide the safest care possible. I'm a queer neuro-spicy, female, with a deeply personal DNA-invested connection to the Trans community. I am laid back and go with the flow. I wear my tattoos, piercings, and rainbows with pride and am known to curse like a sailor. I also habitually am unapologetically outspoken and loud when up against injustice. My clients will tell you that I am not your average therapist. I utilize an eclectic, LGBTQIA2S+ affirming, trauma-informed approach while focusing on providing a safe virtual environment that feels more relaxed and welcoming than clinical. I aim for therapy to be something people look forward to, not just another thing they have to do. I am not the workbook type of therapist, I am out of the box, unconventional, and as my clients say, "anything but normal" . Beliefs that fuel me... gender-affirming care is NECESSARY LIFE-SAVING medical care Money should NEVER be a barrier to accessing the services you want mental and physical healthcare needs to be explored together to find the root cause, I welcome working as a team with your other providers a diagnosis is an understanding, not an excuse or a life sentence. It can change and does not define you harm reduction keeps people safe, use and recovery look different for everyone sobriety/abstinence should be normalized and supported in more spaces you are enough (trans- enough, woman- enough, queer enough, etc.) at any part of your journey no matter how many times you throw in a plot twist a healthy body is a healthy body, size is just a number, you and your relationship with your body are what matters and it looks different for everyone healthcare, housing, education, food... should be readily accessible to all When necessary; strengths-based mandated reporting is a collaboration with safe guardian(s) whenever possible, and ongoing advocacy and support is a must if wanted. Never something to be blindsided by. suicidal ideation, thoughts, or acts of self-harm do not always equal a need for hospitalization or 3rd party intervention. Hospitalization can be traumatic. safe at home should always be the goal carceral, government and public 'safety' institutions can be traumatizing and abusive, so avoid getting them involved whenever safely possible Domestic Violence is complicated, the victim is the only one who truly knows how to keep themself safe. They need respect, and consistent accessible support, not judgment. consensual sex work is valid work and should be respected as such consent can be given and taken at any time BDSM/Kink/ Poly/Consensual Non-Monogamy etc.. are valid forms of sexual expression and relationship identities neurodivergence is not something that needs "correcting" abortion and all reproductive options are deeply personal choices and safe access and supportive services must always be an option people have a right to self-determination in what they do with their bodies and life choices. your story belongs to you, you do not have to share it with anyone, and you are in control I strive to be a safe ally and a strong advocate for those who seek support. I pledge to help eliminate gatekeeping practices and barriers to my fullest ability and help ensure access to affirming services for all who seek them. I provide appointments solely via teletherapy to individuals who are in Ohio or Michigan at the time of service.