"HEAR ... TO HELP"
Therapy for Individuals
and for Relationships
Ron Wyse: distinctives
My Multi-Cultural Life
Although I was born here in Canada, I've lived and worked on three continents: Hong Kong; Zimbabwe, Africa; and here in Canada. My wife originally came from Hong Kong, and as a result I worked there as well as visited often. All this means I've had at least one foot firmly planted in other cultures for over half my life!
There are many ways in which we can live in different worlds, and all of this life experience helps me in understanding a variety of people.
Institutions, Training, Learning
I work as a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) here in Ontario (a member of the Collage of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, CPRO). I'm also a Marriage & Family Therapist (RMFT), being a Clinical Fellow of the Canadian Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT) & of the Ontario/ American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy (OAMFT/AAMFT).
Beyond this, I have lots of education and work experience which relates to counselling. If these are interesting to you, read on (if not, you can just skip ahead to the next section!).
At both the master and the doctoral levels I have extensive training in both Counselling and in Biblical Studies. In the early part of our marriage I taught Biblical Studies (at the university level) overseas in both Hong Kong, and (mainly) in Zimbabwe, Africa.
While we were in Africa I began & completed a doctorate on Proverbs & Counselling. I did the Doctor Divinitatis (DD) at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. In that part of the world, this degree is senior to the purely academic PhD since it combines both academic & practical training. Prior degrees: Master of Divinity, (Tyndale Seminary, Toronto; Counselling Major) & the Master of Theology (Regent College, Vancouver; Thesis in Proverbs/Wisdom Literature).
Writing On and Living Out Relationships
In 2006 I wrote a book on marriage: "Beyond Survival: Marriage and the Quest for Paradise". I also contributed to the best selling book "Hot Apple Cider" (edited by Lindquist & Nelles; 2008).
Since I value alternate perspectives and encompassing views, I am dedicated to focused learning in many areas relating to counselling. I'm also a fan of guitar breaks, strategic retreats with my wife, and life-conversations with our now adult kids.
About Therapy
My goal in counselling is to help bring clarity, healing and growth into the lives of my clients. We can work on a range of areas in our counselling sessions. These include concerns about any of the following: relationships, behaviour, thoughts and beliefs, emotions, and more.
As a therapist I am committed to professional excellence in the procedure and goals of counselling. This includes constant reading in many areas, such as healing, change, growth & development, personality, as well as processing and meeting life challenges, etc.
As a Christian therapist I operate within a broad Christian worldview informed by Scripture, as well as Christian faith, experience and reflection. I was raised in a Canadian Evangelical context, I'm currently involved in a nearby United Church, and "theologically" find myself appreciating various historical and current Catholic perspectives.
In general, I see how complex our world is, how vast yet limited is our knowledge; even putting experience into words is a challenge! However, we can all experience healing and growth throughout our lives, no matter what we've been through. Counselling can be a very helpful part of this process.
Ethics, Safety, Goals
Therapy is often a vulnerable work; clients have the opportunity to discuss and work through experiences and concerns that they often can't or haven't discussed anywhere else. You may find it reassuring to know that both the institutions I am aligned with have put considerable thought into protecting those who work with therapists. I follow the Code of Ethics of CAMFT, AAMFT/ OAMFT, as well as those of the CPRO.
All counselling-related files are securely and confidentially maintained. Clients in Individual Counselling have a right to review or have a copy of any information that is contained in their files.
Usually we work towards figuring out our counselling goals within the first few sessions, if not in our first one. We also review these goals every 6 - 8 sessions, to make sure we're on track for your objectives. Having said this, some clients prefer to meet and 'process' in general areas, rather than aim at specific goals or results. Either approach can be helpful.
For clients involved with "Relational Counselling", usually as a couple or as family members, the usual focus and goal is the relationship. Within this context, we can also work on individual goals in areas which impact the relationship.
To help us keep on track of your personal concerns, I begin each session by having you complete an Outcome Rating Scale (ORS: about how your week has been). I also end each session with a Session Rating Scale (SRS: how the session has helped you, and what may help more). The SRS can help you to review how our time benefited you, and sometimes it clarifies our focus for the next meeting.
Any client can end therapy at any time. In my experience, clients usually find it very helpful to have a final "wrap up" session. This process strengthens our work by helping you in three ways: by your review of the gains you've made; by you considering what kinds of things you particularly found helpful in our work together; and by discussing how you anticipate dealing with future challenges.
Location:
1 Valleywood Drive, Suite 301, Markham L3R 5L9
The office is north-east of 404/407; at Woodbine Ave, three lights north of Hwy #7.
Hours:
Call, text, or email for appointment times (see Contact Information). I am available weekdays (daytime, evenings) and weekend afternoons.