About

My Approach

Steve’s work with clients is rooted in five distinct areas: Humanistic Counselling, Depth Psychology, Spiritual Guidance, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and something he calls Anti-Therapy.

Steve is oriented towards the humanistic view that people typically grow when they are provided with empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence on the part of the therapist. These are the conditions that provide lasting help according to the person centered (humanistic) view of counselling advanced by Psychologist Carl Rogers. Working with a skilled humanistic counsellor, the client feels immediate stress relief and anxiety reduction.

Steve also incorporates the depth psychology orientation espoused by Carl Jung which moves clients towards individuation and wholeness. Depth psychology reminds us we are influenced by forces seen and unseen (the personal and collective unconscious, archetypes, the shadow). Like the iceberg, a part of us is clearly visible, emerging above the water. In addition, there exists another part of us, concealed from ourselves and others, that greatly influences our lives. The skilled counsellor helps clients generate insight into parts of the self that are concealed. With this insight, emotional and physical manifestations of stress are released.

Spiritual Guidance uses many of the same skill sets, but the primary orientation of the spiritual guide is not toward treating “illness”. Instead, the spiritual guide sees psychological stressors as a calling to turn towards one’s essential nature, inherent wisdom, and source of divine in each of us: the human soul. Spiritual guidance is a non-dogmatic wisdom tradition that helps clients connect difficult, or fractured experiences with the unlimited source of a greater reality. Thus, we learn that our ailments can serve a greater purpose in our lives than the pain they bring into them.

Anti-Therapy challenges the practice of mental health practitioners who judge how clients should feel, think, or live life. This type of “help” can be counterproductive, even harmful to the healing process, a sentiment echoed by clients who have had previously ineffective counselling experiences. Fortunately, Anti-therapy (fuelled by radical empathy, compassion and insight) regains client trust and spurs client growth. When we are able to look into the deepest, darkest, corners of our human struggles with love and acceptance, surprising changes take place.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can be thought of as a combination of psychotherapy and behavioural therapy. Psychotherapy emphasizes the importance of the personal meaning we place on life events and in understanding our thinking patterns which begin in childhood. Behavioral therapy pays close attention to the relationship between our problems, our behavior and our thoughts. This type of self-understanding leaves us more understanding of our emotions and invokes a sense of personal freedom.

“Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for the invaluable wisdom you’ve given me during our sessions.

You’ve helped me reach a level of self-acceptance that I didn’t believe was achievable, and you’ve empowered me to understand that what I considered to be character flaws are actually some of my most powerful gifts. This transformation and new sense of self will help me be a better mom, wife and teacher, but most importantly, a better “me”. Thank you for your empathy, your honesty, and your guidance.”

~ Therapy Client

About Steve

Steve Woolf provides counselling services in Chilliwack, Squamish and Whistler, British Columbia and is registered with the British Columbia Board of Clinical Counsellors: Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) #12832, and is also a National Certified Counsellor in the United States (NCC) #75861. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Mount Union College and his Master’s of Education in Counselling from Northern Illinois University.

Steve is trained in a variety of modalities and methods, including psychology, clinical counselling, yoga, and spiritual guidance. He employs meditation, inquiry, poetry, arts, and yoga to guide people towards their essence. Besides his formal degrees, Steve studied imaginal psychology and cultural leadership at the Institute of Imaginal Studies (now Meridian University) and trained in Art and Archetypal Dimensions of Spiritual Guidance, as well as the Alchemy of Transformation with Atum O’Kane.

Additionally, Steve has training in Hatha Yoga and Vipassana meditation. Steve has served as a teacher, counsellor, guide and mentor in a variety of settings including private practice, wilderness programs, yoga studios, and educational institutions.

Steve Woolf has served clients for over 17 years as a trusted professional. He also provides contracted services for the following organizations:

  • Crime Victims Assistance Program
  • Employee Assistance Services (EAS) / Health Canada
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
  • Family Services Employee Assistance Program
  • Homewood Health
  • HumanaCare
  • ICBC
  • Morneau Shepell
  • Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)
  • Work Safe BC

A larger life awaits.

Please contact me at (604) 791-2574 or at steve@turningtowardsessence.com to discuss your particular needs.