Registered Clinical Counselling & Sex Therapy in Downtown Vancouver

Vancouver Centre for Counselling & Sex Therapy

A Safe, Affirming Space for Couples and Individuals in Vancouver.

Located in beautiful downtown Vancouver—and available online—I provide a safe space for all, including LGBTQ2S+-affirming counselling and sex therapy. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, identity concerns, relationship challenges, or intimacy questions, you’ll find a non-judgmental, sex-positive space to be seen, understood, and supported.

What I Help With:
Navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or grief
Sexual concerns: mismatched desire, performance anxiety, orgasm or arousal issues, sexual shame or compulsive behaviours
Relationship & intimacy difficulties: trust, communication, open relationships, non-monogamy
Identity-related experiences: shame, coming out, LGBTQ2+ identity development, gender exploration
Healing from sexual trauma, cultural or body image shame

My Approach:
My work is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and real-world experience. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) & Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) while holding a sex-positive, trauma-informed, LGBTQ2S+-affirming stance.

Begin Your Journey
Finding the right counsellor can feel daunting—but you don’t have to do this alone. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you decide if we’re a good fit. Sessions are available both in-person at my downtown Vancouver office (steps from SkyTrain) and online across BC, AB, SK, and MB.

👉 Book your free consultation today and take the first step toward meaningful change.

My Practice, My Mission

I am dedicated to providing a safe and affirming space for all individuals including LGBTQ2+ individuals and couples. My mission is to foster understanding, connection, and growth through specialized counselling and sex therapy.

I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with years of experience helping individuals cultivate connection, resilience, and self-compassion. My approach blends trauma-informed, relational therapy with evidence-based tools—always with warmth, empathy, and respect.

I believe in a compassionate, client-centered approach, tailoring our therapeutic strategies to meet your unique needs and aspirations. My commitment is to support your well-being and relationship health.

My values center on inclusivity, respect, and evidence-based practices. I strive to create an environment where you feel heard, validated, and empowered to achieve your personal and relational goals.

Take the First Step
Booking a free 15-minute consult can help us determine if we’re the right fit. Reach out via phone (236.785.7547), email, or fill out the contact form below. If you're seeking therapy tailored to you in Vancouver, let's connect.

☁️ Best offers ☁️ Free delivery ☁️ Perfect design ☁️ Comfort ☁️ Support 24/7 ☁️ Vibes
☁️ Best offers ☁️ Free delivery ☁️ Perfect design ☁️ Comfort ☁️ Support 24/7 ☁️ Vibes

FAQs


LGBTQ2+ Affirming Sex Therapy
Supporting clients in navigating desire, orientation, gender identity, and relational dynamics in a safe, non-judgmental space.

Sexual Shame & Healing
Helping individuals unpack and move through shame rooted in culture, religion, trauma, or internalized messages about sex and desire.

Desire & Arousal Difficulties
Addressing low or mismatched desire, arousal challenges, and performance anxiety—with sensitivity to both emotional and relational contexts.

Sexual Behaviour
Working with clients who feel their sexual behaviour is interfering with relationships, goals, or personal values—without pathologizing desire.

Kink, Fetish, and Non-Monogamy
Providing informed, affirming support to clients exploring kink/BDSM, open relationships, polyamory, or other non-traditional dynamics.

Coming Out & Later-Life Identity Exploration
Guiding individuals who are coming out at any stage of life or exploring aspects of their sexual or gender identity, often for the first time.

These areas reflect my commitment to sex-positive, trauma-aware, and identity-affirming care, particularly for adults navigating layered or stigmatized experiences around sex and self.

I provide specialized support for a range of concerns, including relationship challenges, communication issues, and personal development within the LGBTQ2+ community.

Sexual Concerns:
Low or mismatched desire
Erectile or arousal difficulties
Orgasm challenges
Performance anxiety
Pain during sex
Out-of-control sexual behavior
Kink, fetish, or BDSM exploration
Non-monogamy or open relationship dynamics

Gender & Sexual Identity:
LGBTQ2+ identity development
Coming out at any age
Internalized shame or homophobia
Gender exploration and transition support

Relational & Intimacy Issues:
Communication breakdown
Emotional disconnection
Rebuilding trust after infidelity
Navigating monogamy or consensual non-monogamy
Reconnecting sexually and emotionally in long-term relationships

Trauma & Shame:
Impacts of past sexual trauma
Religious or cultural sexual shame
Negative body image
Attachment wounding

Life Transitions & Emotional Wellness:
Anxiety, depression, or grief affecting intimacy
Adjusting to aging, illness, or life stage changes
Exploring sexual identity later in life

My work is client-centered, collaborative, affirming, and grounded in both clinical insight and lived experience. I offer an integrative approach to sex therapy that honors the complexity of identity, relationships, and desire. My practice is sex-positive, trauma-aware, and LGBTQ2+ affirming.

I draw from:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – to help clients build psychological flexibility and live in alignment with their values.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) – to support deeper emotional awareness and connection, especially in relationships.

Somatic & Attachment-Informed Practices – to explore how past experiences live in the body and shape present patterns.

Sex Therapy Principles – addressing issues such as desire, arousal, performance anxiety, sexual identity, kink, shame, and intimacy with openness and curiosity.
Sessions are tailored to the individual or couple, creating a space where people can explore challenges and possibilities without fear of judgment.

Yes, I offer virtual sessions to provide convenient and accessible support to clients anywhere.

Sessions with me are collaborative, non-judgmental, and grounded in warmth, curiosity, and respect. Whether you're seeking support around intimacy, identity, relationships, or sexual concerns, therapy will be tailored to meet your unique needs and pace.

You can expect:

-A Safe, Affirming Space
-All sexual orientations, gender identities, relationship structures, and personal histories are welcomed without judgment.
-Evidence-Informed Therapy
-Collaborative Goals
-We’ll work together to clarify your goals—whether that’s improving communication, healing from shame, increasing sexual confidence, or deepening connection.
-Real-World Integration
-Therapy will help you understand your inner experience while supporting meaningful change in your everyday life and relationships.
-Flexible Session Formats

Upcoming Workshops and Group Sessions

Raw And Real
Gay Mens Therapy Group

September and October Start Dates (2025)

A provocative, safe-yet-edgy therapy group where gay men come together to explore intimacy, desire, identity, relationships, and sex—while dismantling shame with honesty, laughter, and support.

Relationship
Communication
Workshop

TBA

This experiential workshop is designed for couples, polycules, friends, and all relationship configurations seeking to deepen their connection and improve how they communicate.

Together, we’ll explore how to transform conflict into a catalyst for growth by learning how to argue more effectively, listen more deeply, and stay connected.

Gay Men's Book Club

Fall 2025 (please check back for sign up).


The Gay Men’s Book Club is a small, intimate group (limited to 10 participants) designed to foster connection, reflection, and authentic conversation among gay, bi, queer, and questioning men.

Upcoming Read:
Park Cruising: What Happens When We Wander Off the Path by Marcus McCann

This book explores controversial themes of public intimacy, queer desire, risk, secrecy, and resistance with nuance and vulnerability.

Stephen "Skip" Olshefsky

M.Sc., RCC 



Hello, I’m Skip (he/him/his — though I prefer not to use pronouns). My name is a little different, and that reflects who I am.

I’m human—just like you—shaped by life’s challenges, changes, and growth. As a cisgender gay man, I know what it’s like to face both subtle and obvious pressure to fit into a heteronormative world.

I offer sex-positive counselling and sex therapy, primarily for gay men who want to reconnect with their true selves beyond society’s expectations. My goal is to help you build a sense of inner balance that supports all areas of your life.

While I focus on working with gay men, I welcome and affirm people of all identities. You don’t have to go through it alone—we’ll work together to find your path toward peace and authenticity. 


"A DESIGNATION OF BC ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL COUNSELLORS"

Types and Cost of Treatment

Personal counselling
165/session

Individual sessions for personal growth and healing.

Couple Counselling
165/session

Sessions for couples to foster understanding and intimacy.

Book Club
Pay what you can.


Community, learning, and exploration of the gay identity.

Get in touch! 

Get connected, Come together

  • 236-785-7547
  • stephenolshefsky@icloud.com
  • 308-515 W. Pender St. Vancouver BC