About Woody

Heading for relationship disaster

Photo of Canadian registered online counselling therapist Woody Forrieter, smiling and wearing a blue shirt.

20 years ago, my wife and I were on the verge of divorce after more than 15 years of marriage. My relationship with myself wasn't much better.

In order to fit in, I thought I needed to constantly convince others that everything was going well for me. I became really good at hiding those aspects of myself I believed were probably not acceptable to others, including vulnerable feelings. That strategy appeared to keep me reasonably safe, but it also kept me disconnected. And I didn't know that a disconnected human is an unhappy human. So I put about as much distance, figuratively and literally, as I could between me and almost everybody I knew, and my wife eventually got fed up with the lack of real connection. Not only was I disconnected from others, I was disconnected from myself. I had no idea who I really was.

I took a new path

All I knew was that this couldn't go on. I started reading book after book, attending experiential workshops and seminars, and getting therapy. I slowly began to grow and heal, and after attending a particularly poignant workshop with my wife, I was finally ready to work with her on renewing our marriage. It was hard at first, but gradually we became more comfortable with the process. After some time, I noticed that I was much more fascinated with the challenges my clients faced in their relationships than I was with selling my company's services. I knew then that I wanted to offer others the same healing I had experienced for myself and in my relationships, and embarked on the process of becoming a counsellor. After completing university psychology courses, relationship counselling workshops, and a three-year practitioners training program at Clearmind International, I became a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (license #2514) with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT). In addition, for many years I have also led weekly personal support groups and have been a leader in several personal development trainings each year.

The focus of Core Essence Counselling

My sole focus is the creation of a more harmonious life for people who are experiencing challenges associated with the complexities of being in relationship - a relationship with a primary partner or anyone else, including a boss, a co-worker, family, friends, acquaintances, strangers - even your relationship with yourself. Based on my years of personal experience and scientifically validated approaches (along with what I've learned in my own 40 years of marriage) I work with you in accessing the power of connection to help you form stronger, more enduring and more effective relationships.

Perhaps it may only be specific relationships in which you are experiencing difficulties, but as you learn the practical tools to relationship success, I believe all your relationships will benefit.

If you knew you could change the quality of your relationships (and you can) how might that help you create the life you want and deserve? This is a chance to press the reset button and renew the parts of your life that may feel stuck. There's never a poor time to do that, and it's something everyone deserves. Why not you?

It's my privilege to support you

I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to offer support to you as you navigate the often-challenging realities of relationships with others and the relationship with yourself. As you work your way through the complexities of life, you deserve to be supported in an affirmative and non-judgemental way.

Before you consider booking a free 20-minute consultation with me, I invite you to learn more about couples counselling or individual counselling services.