Charis Wong

Director of KIN & KiDS
Marriage and Family Therapist
Counseling Psychologist
Registered Play Therapist (USA)

Making an appointment to see 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 decision to join the helping profession and never looked back. In Texas, I have worked at a private psychiatric and chemical-dependency care hospital, a state residential home, and at several outpatient community counselling agencies. In Malaysia, I have worked as a lecturer and clinical supervisor in the Master degree programs at the Help 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 conduct psychoeducational and psychological evaluations regularly to determine learning and neurocognitive and neurodivergent challenges, as well as provide diagnostic clarity on mental health conditions/disorders. The Psychology graduate program I graduated from included solid training in testing and assessment and I continue to work hard to improve my skills in this area.

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 boys, including a toddler.

Education & Professional Licenses/Accreditation

• M.S. in Counseling Psychology (Marriage and Family Therapy), University of North Texas, USA
• Post-Master Graduate Academic Certificate in Child Counseling/Play Therapy, University of North Texas, USA
• Post-Masters Graduate Certificate in Gifted & Talent Education, Montclair State University
• 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)
• Approved Provider (#11288) (Association of Play Therapy, USA) 
• 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 affiliations

• International Professional Member, Association of Play Therapy (APT, USA)

Email

charis@kinandkids.com