Charis Wong
Director of KIN & KiDS
Marriage and Family Therapist
Counseling Psychologist
Registered Play Therapist (USA)
Making an appointment to see a psychologist or a therapist for the first time can be an intimidating experience. I hope to provide you with some information about myself and my clinical background before you meet me.
I previously worked as a lawyer in Malaysia for six years. After realizing that I did not want to spend the rest of my life as a lawyer, I made the life-changing decision to join the helping profession and never looked back.
In Texas, I completed clinical internships at several outpatient community counselling agencies. Upon graduation, I worked at a private psychiatric and chemical-dependency care hospital and a state residential home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Upon returning to Malaysia, I did a short stint as a lecturer and clinical supervisor in the Master degree programs at my former university.
What I enjoy about my work as a mental health practitioner is that it is very varied and I get to work with people from all over the world. I am specifically interested in working with couples and families from diverse backgrounds, as well as with children who have gone through a major life-changing event.
I am also a “testing psychologist”. I was privileged to receive solid training in testing and assessment in my graduate school. I continue to work hard to improve my skills in this area through specialized training and supervision. My main clinical work is now focused on conducting psychoeducational and psychological evaluations to determine learning and neurocognitive challenges and to provide diagnostic clarity on mental health conditions/disorders. As a neurodivergent-affirmative psychologist, I regularly conduct evaluations for ADHD, autism and specific learning disorders. I am also a gifted & talented evaluator and conduct strength-based evaluations for gifted and twice-exceptional children to uncover their unique profile of strengths and vulnerabilities.
As a systemically-trained therapist, I believe that emotionally fulfilling relationships are integral components of our psychological well-being. In a nurturing social environment, people can learn to be more accepting of themselves and will be more capable of maximizing their potential. Some people need only a few sessions of therapy, while others may require months of therapy. If therapy is successful, you should feel that you are in a better position to face life’s challenges in the future without my support or intervention.
I am an “imperfect” mother of four school-age children.
Education & Professional Licenses/Accreditation
Post-Master Graduate Academic Certificate in Child Counseling/Play Therapy, University of North Texas, USA
Post-Master Graduate Certificate in Gifted & Talent Education, Montclair State University
M.S. in Counseling Psychology (Marriage and Family Therapy), University of North Texas, USA
B.S. in Applied Psychology, Upper Iowa University, USA
L.L.B. (Hons) 2nd Upper, University of Malaya
Registered Play Therapist (Association of Play Therapy, USA) (Inactive)
Registered and Licensed Counselor (#KB01868), Malaysia
Formerly Licensed Professional Counsellor-Intern (LPC-I) (#64698), Texas, USA
Formerly Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA) (#201404), Texas, USA
Other qualifications/training
Certificate of Mediation, Bar Council Malaysia
Advocate and Solicitor, Malaysia (inactive)
Certified PREPARE-ENRICH facilitator
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (Basic Externship, Core Skills 1 & 2)
Love & Logic Teacher and Parent Education Independent Facilitator
Discernment Counselling for Couples contemplating divorce
Professional Affiliation
Professional member, American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology (AAPdN)
charis@kinandkids.com
