Bonita Steele

About Bonita

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia, and I hold both an MA and a PhD from the University of British Columbia. As a clinical counselor, I bring a calm, steady presence and a deep commitment to helping individuals navigate the complex transitions that shape their lives. After decades as a university professor, I’ve developed extensive expertise in supporting people as they move through periods of uncertainty, growth, and reinvention. Now retired from academia, I focus solely on counseling—creating a space where clients can explore challenges, build resilience, and learn to thrive in their day‑to‑day lives. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in the belief that meaningful change is possible at any stage of life.

Some of the areas that I focus on in my counselling practice are:

(a) Empowering women during various phases of life including perimenopause, divorce, and notions of burn-out.

(b) Helping both children and adults manage persistent worry, intrusive thoughts, panic symptoms, and avoidance patterns.

(c) Supporting both children and adults in building a strong path through periods of depressive feelings such as low mood, reduced motivation, negative self-talk, and difficulty re-engaging in meaningful activities.

(d) Guiding both children and adults in letting go of self-criticism and appearance-related anxiety; while reinforcing self-compassion and self-acceptance.

I moved to Whistler in 2025. I am an avid skier and mountain biker, and the parent of an athlete. In addition to my clinical work, I am a fiction writer and an experienced research-design consultant. My favourite authors include John Steinbeck, Cormac McCarthy, and Barbara Kingsolver.