what is
MEANING THERAPY
Meaning therapy is a pluralistic approach to counselling and therapy that focuses on the fundamental human needs for meaning and relationship. It is a comprehensive way to address all aspects of meaning in life concerns in a supportive therapeutic relationship. Thus, the motto for meaning therapy is, “Meaning is all we have; relationship is all we need.” Meaning therapy assumes that when these two essential human needs are met, individuals are more likely to cope better with their predicaments and live a more rewarding life. When there is deficiency in these two areas, people will more likely experience difficulties in life.
Meaning therapy favours a psycho-educational approach that recognizes the vital role of meaning and purpose in healing and well-being. It appeals to the client’s sense of responsibility to make full use of their freedom to pursue what really matters and what constitutes a rewarding future. Within this conceptual framework, the therapist provides a safe and trusting environment that facilitates collaborative effort and shared decision making in terms of preferred interventions, plans, and goals.
what is
MEANING THERAPY
Meaning therapy is a pluralistic approach to counselling and therapy that focuses on the fundamental human needs for meaning and relationship. It is a comprehensive way to address all aspects of meaning in life concerns in a supportive therapeutic relationship. Thus, the motto for meaning therapy is, “Meaning is all we have; relationship is all we need.” Meaning therapy assumes that when these two essential human needs are met, individuals are more likely to cope better with their predicaments and live a more rewarding life. When there is deficiency in these two areas, people will more likely experience difficulties in life.
Meaning therapy favours a psycho-educational approach that recognizes the vital role of meaning and purpose in healing and well-being. It appeals to the client’s sense of responsibility to make full use of their freedom to pursue what really matters and what constitutes a rewarding future. Within this conceptual framework, the therapist provides a safe and trusting environment that facilitates collaborative effort and shared decision making in terms of preferred interventions, plans, and goals.
who
WE ARE
PAUL T. P. WONG, PhD
President • Therapist, Educator, Supervisor
Dr. Paul Wong is Professor Emeritus of Trent University and is currently teaching Meaning Therapy and Applied Positive Psychology at Saybrook University as an Adjunct Professor. He is a fellow of APA and CPA and President of the International Network on Personal Meaning. He has been registered as a clinical psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (#819) since 1972. He has been invited to give workshops on Meaning Therapy all over the world.
LILIAN C. J. WONG, PhD
Vice-President • Registered Psychotherapist, Educator, Supervisor
Dr. Lilian Wong has over two decades of experience working with children and adolescents as a psycho-educational consultant and school psychologist in public school boards in Ontario and British Columbia. She has been in private practice for many years, specializing in children, adolescents, and families. She employs various modalities in her approach to counselling, including play therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and meaning-centered counselling and therapy.
who
WE ARE
PAUL T. P. WONG, PhD
President • Therapist, Educator, Supervisor
Dr. Paul Wong is Professor Emeritus of Trent University and is currently teaching Meaning Therapy and Applied Positive Psychology at Saybrook University as an Adjunct Professor. He is a fellow of APA and CPA and President of the International Network on Personal Meaning. He has been registered as a clinical psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (#819) since 1972. He has been invited to give workshops on Meaning Therapy all over the world.
LILIAN C. J. WONG, PhD
Vice-President • Registered Psychotherapist, Educator, Supervisor
Dr. Lilian Wong has over two decades of experience working with children and adolescents as a psycho-educational consultant and school psychologist in public school boards in Ontario and British Columbia. She has been in private practice for many years, specializing in children, adolescents, and families. She employs various modalities in her approach to psychotherapy, including play therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and meaning-centered counselling and therapy.
who
WE ARE
PAUL T. P. WONG, PhD
President • Therapist, Educator, Supervisor
Dr. Paul Wong is Professor Emeritus of Trent University and is currently teaching Meaning Therapy and Applied Positive Psychology at Saybrook University as an Adjunct Professor. He is a fellow of APA and CPA and President of the International Network on Personal Meaning. He has been registered as a clinical psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (#819) since 1972. He has been invited to give workshops on Meaning Therapy all over the world.
LILIAN C. J. WONG, PhD
Vice-President • Registered Psychotherapist, Educator, Supervisor
Dr. Lilian Wong has over two decades of experience working with children and adolescents as a psycho-educational consultant and school psychologist in public school boards in Ontario and British Columbia. She has been in private practice for many years, specializing in children, adolescents, and families. She employs various modalities in her approach to psychotherapy, including play therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and meaning-centered counselling and therapy.
therapy
We provide the evidence-based and integrative practice of meaning therapy for adults, couples, families, adolescents, and children. We also provide psychological assessments and address a wide range of clinical issues.
supervision
We provide supervision for novice psychotherapists (including interns) who need supervised practice as well as seasoned therapists who want to learn meaning therapy from Dr. Paul or play therapy from Dr. Lilian.
consultation
We provide consultation for individuals or organizations interested in incorporating meaning therapy in their practice or applying the meaning-centered approach to positive management and education.
therapy
We provide the evidence-based and integrative practice of meaning therapy for adults, couples, families, adolescents, and children. We also provide psychological assessments and address a wide range of clinical issues.
supervision
We provide supervision for novice psychotherapists (including interns) who need supervised practice as well as seasoned therapists who want to learn meaning therapy from Dr. Paul or play therapy from Dr. Lilian.
consultation
We provide consultation for individuals or organizations interested in incorporating meaning therapy in their practice or applying the meaning-centered approach to positive management and education.
FOR AN APPOINTMENT, CALL +1 416 546 5588
OR FILL IN THE FORM BELOW.
Toronto, ON, M2M 4C5
Mondays – Fridays
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (EST)
*Closed on Public Holidays
Meaning-Centered Counselling Institute
Toronto, ON, M2M 4C5
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (EDT)
Meaning Conference 2025 will be the INPM’s first in-person conference with a virtual option after the pandemic.