About Ryan
"I was impacted by someone in a big way when I was a teenager. At 16 yrs old, I lived alone and started a new school. I was isolated and felt like a 'screw-up'. At that time, a Counsellor listened to me without judgement and a teacher, through one classroom activity, helped me to see my potential. Both of them impacted me in such a way that I began to feel better about myself and have hope for my future. Positive change is possible."
"When I became a helping professional myself, I learned that the best therapy with children and youth doesn't always look like therapy. I co-led pet therapy for children with behavioural challenges. I processed adventure activities for troubled youth. I "chatted" with mandated youth while driving to probation appointments. Therapy is more effective with children and youth if it doesn't looked like therapy."
"I was impacted by someone in a big way when I was a teenager. At 16 yrs old, I lived alone and started a new school. I was isolated and felt like a 'screw-up'. At that time, a Counsellor listened to me without judgement and a teacher, through one classroom activity, helped me to see my potential. Both of them impacted me in such a way that I began to feel better about myself and have hope for my future. Positive change is possible."
"When I became a helping professional myself, I learned that the best therapy with children and youth doesn't always look like therapy. I co-led pet therapy for children with behavioural challenges. I processed adventure activities for troubled youth. I "chatted" with mandated youth while driving to probation appointments. Therapy is more effective with children and youth if it doesn't looked like therapy."
"In many of my jobs, I've been able to use social influence for positive change with children and youth. Creating an atmosphere of sharing in group therapy at a psychiatric unit. Instilling group norms and values in a wilderness program. Teaching ways to find a new peer group in court ordered treatment. The right social influence can really benefit children and youth."
Counselling Work History
Speaker, Counsellor, Performer, 2013-present
PRIVATE PRACTICE, Kitchener, Ontario
Owner, 2010-present
BIG SMILES COMPANY, Kitchener, Ontario
Clinician, 2010-13
LUTHERWOOD, Kitchener, Ontario
Therapist, 2007-10
ASSOCIATED YOUTH SERVICES OF PEEL, Mississauga, Ontario
Therapist, 2006-07
SAGEWALK, Therapeutic Wilderness School – Redmond, Oregon
Child and Youth Worker, 2003-06
GRAND RIVER HOSPITAL, Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry – Kitchener, Ontario
Direct Care Worker, 2003-04
FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES – Kitchener, Ontario
Child and Youth Worker, 2002-03
KIDSLINK – St. Agatha, Ontario
PRIVATE PRACTICE, Kitchener, Ontario
- School presentations, professional development seminars, stage magic shows, close-up magic, life coach.
Owner, 2010-present
BIG SMILES COMPANY, Kitchener, Ontario
- Kids party entertainment business. LEARN MORE
Clinician, 2010-13
LUTHERWOOD, Kitchener, Ontario
- Served clients between the ages of 15-21 with mental health diagnosis and conviction of a criminal offence.
Therapist, 2007-10
ASSOCIATED YOUTH SERVICES OF PEEL, Mississauga, Ontario
- Served clients between the ages of 15-21 with mental health diagnosis and conviction of a criminal offence.
Therapist, 2006-07
SAGEWALK, Therapeutic Wilderness School – Redmond, Oregon
- Served clients between the ages of 14-18 with conduct, substance abuse, emotional, family and academic issues.
Child and Youth Worker, 2003-06
GRAND RIVER HOSPITAL, Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry – Kitchener, Ontario
- Served clients between the ages of 7 and 19 admitted for suicidal behaviour and/or psychiatric illness.
Direct Care Worker, 2003-04
FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES – Kitchener, Ontario
- Served clients between ages 6 and 17 removed from the home due to behavioural problems.
Child and Youth Worker, 2002-03
KIDSLINK – St. Agatha, Ontario
- Served clients between ages 6 and 12 removed from the home due to significant emotional and behavioural problems.
Counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo: Large counselling agencies
A number of large agencies provide counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo, such as KW Counselling and Mosaic. These agencies have a wide variety of services they use Students or Interns to provide a large majority of the counselling. It can be a much longer wait for a Therapist with experience providing counselling. Larger agencies providing counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo must be accredited by the government and meet a list of standards set out by the government, most of which are demonstrated in the counselling notes
An intake is commonly the first step in accessing counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo During the intake, you provide your personal information, the reason you are seeking counselling, and preferences for a Therapist – i.e. male or female. Then a file is created and assigned the professional who will be providing counselling.
Counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo: Counselling from a private practice
A professional providing counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo must be registered with his or her college or association. For instance, a Therapist with a Masters of Social Work is registered with the College of Social Workers. He or she must meet certain standards in order to maintain registration with the college and to continue providing counselling. These standards include demonstrating professionalism, ensuring confidentiality, and participating in ongoing learning and development in counselling skills.
There are no standards regarding how much experience a Therapist needs before providing counselling through a private practice. Many Therapists understand the importance of experience and supervision and gain years of experience counselling first. As a result, you can often quickly access a Therapist with experience when choosing private practice for counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo Learn more about How to Choose a Therapist.
There are no standards regarding how much experience a Therapist needs before providing counselling through a private practice. Many Therapists understand the importance of experience and supervision and gain years of experience counselling first. As a result, you can often quickly access a Therapist with experience when choosing private practice for counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo Learn more about How to Choose a Therapist.
