Therapist Steve Garufi Photo

Steve Garufi, LPC

Stress, Anxiety Trauma, Abuse Self esteem, Motivation Depression Coping with life changes
Video Messaging

About me

With 19 years of experience, my areas of interest include depression, anxiety, self-image, healing from trauma and abuse, divorce recovery, overcoming shame, life transitional issues, matters of loneliness, and empowering others to pursue their dreams and career aspirations. I earned my B.A. in Political Science at Montclair State University in New Jersey in 1994 and gained my Masters in Counseling at Denver Seminary in 2002. I've been a Licensed Professional Counselor (#4201) in Colorado since 2005.

My counseling approach usually incorporates cognitive-behavioral techniques, Rogerian theories ("person-centered" counseling), and family systems methods. I am passionate about helping my clients feel understood in their time of suffering — with their feelings validated, their life story honored, and their weaknesses, mistakes, failures, longings, etc., accepted without a hint of judgment. While I think I have much to offer my clients, I am not a "know it all" therapist. I want to learn from those who have turned their pain and suffering into something beautiful.

As a resident of Westcliffe, Colorado, I enjoy hiking, cycling, and exploring the beautiful landscapes of the American West. I have biked across the USA three times, the latest trip in 2017, and have authored a memoir about my first trip, titled "Under a Triumphant Sky: A Bike Across America Story." I regularly make public presentations about my travel experiences and encourage others to live boldly and to pursue their dreams.

Professional experience

19yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Trauma, Abuse Self esteem, Motivation Depression Coping with life changes

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment Issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended Family Issues, Body Image, Cancer, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Chronic Pain Illness and Disability, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Divorce and Separation, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Hoarding, Infidelity, Isolation / Loneliness, Life Purpose, Midlife Crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and Financial Issues, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic Stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-Love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Workplace Issues, Young Adult Issues

Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems

Services offered

Video
Messaging

License information

CO LPC 4201

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Steve Garufi. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Steve is an amazing listener, gives great advice and lots of “thinking material” to help improve upon self. Steve makes therapy therapeutic. As a first timer, therapy has exceeded expectations.

Written on Aug 07, 2023 after therapy with Steve for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, and parenting issues

Steve is wonderful to work with. He's down to earth and safe to talk to. Great counselor, great guy!

Written on Jul 05, 2023 after therapy with Steve for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd

Steve is great. He is one of the best listeners I have ever met and holds space for his clients to speak freely. I've bee through a lot this year and having Steve to talk to every week has been the support I needed as I navigated big changes.

Written on Sep 09, 2022 after therapy with Steve for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue

One of the best therapists I’ve had in my life.

Written on Aug 14, 2022 after therapy with Steve for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and bipolar disorder

Steve is awesome, when you need to vent listens, when you need advice he gives it, when you need emotional support he is there.

Written on Aug 12, 2022 after therapy with Steve for 2 years and 4 months on issues concerning addictions, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and bipolar disorder

Very personable and thoughtful, really makes me feel safe to share from a place of positivity and not pain,

Written on Jul 31, 2022 after therapy with Steve for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and bipolar disorder