CATHIE WU
Director
Counseling Psychologist
EDUCATION
M. A. Counselling Psychology (Summa Cum Laude) (University of St. Thomas, MN, USA)
B. A. Psychology (University of Calgary, AB, Canada)
PROFESSIONAL STATEMENT
The concept of mental health being an essential requisite of our overall health has gained great momentum in the last few decades. In pursuit of a holistic concept of well-being we invariably need to address our psychological, emotional, social, and behavioural difficulties and needs. Despite our best efforts, we may come to face obstacles and conditions in life requiring a competent and empathic guide who is professionally trained to tackle your problems collaboratively with you. I have been a practising Psychologist since 2007 through a multitude of settings across clinical and educational platforms, including reknowned national and international hospitals and universities.
I have worked with a truly diverse mix of clientele in USA and Malaysia including US army veterans, international expatriates, and patients with psychiatric conditions. I regularly see clients with mood disorders (e.g. Depression, Bipolar I & II); anxiety disorders (e.g. Panic, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Phobias); life adjustment difficulties; grief, bereavement and loss; chemical and non-chemical addictions; gender identity disorders; schizophrenia and delusional disorders; as well as personality disorders. I also conduct various psychological screenings for mood disorders, as well as for dementia and progressive neurocognitive decline. My client cohorts range in age from young adults to the elderly.
I am trained in and practice a variety of psychotherapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT); Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy; Client-centred therapies (e.g. Humanistic and Rogerian Therapy); Behaviour Modification for Tourette’s Syndrome; Brief Therapies (e.g. Solution-focused Therapy); EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing); Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT); and Integrative Psychotherapy. Experience has taught me that the tailoring of therapy modalities to clients as individuals is an important factor in the overall process of getting better. Therefore I will always remain cognizant and respectful of individual needs. I assess the progress of each client on a continuous basis throughout the therapy process and always remain flexible in my approach in order to maximize convenience and benefit to you as my client.
I am a Canadian expat from western Canada. I have lived in various cities around the world including Calgary, Minneapolis-St.Paul, Shanghai, and am currently residing and working in Kuala Lumpur for more than 7 years. I regularly teach, train, and supervise students and collaborate with other clinicians in psychological research and publication. I am a regular contributor to national newspapers, magazines, radio, and corporate panels. In my personal time, I like to immerse myself in discliplines across art, history, and various social sciences.
