Wendy Groiss: Her Education & Her Experience

RDI Certified Consultant: 2006 – Present
Registered Clinical Counsellor: RCC #2275

Walden University: Doctoral Coursework in Developmental Psychology and Biopsychology.
University of British Columbia: M.Ed. Counselling Psychology
University of British Columbia: Professional Teaching Certificate

Wendy is a certified teacher, a registered clinical counselor and a certified RDI consultant. 

Before making the decision to focus her attention on supporting families with special needs in a private practice setting, Wendy held various positions in the field of education. Wendy worked for many years as a K- 7 classroom teacher and learning assistance teacher. Prior to focusing on private practice, she also worked in several elementary schools as both a school counselor and case manager for students designated with special educational and behavioural needs.

Wendy began working directly and more intensively with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2006 when she had the good fortune to attend a workshop on Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) led by Dr. Steven Gutstein, the founder and creator of the RDI program. Wendy was so impressed with Dr. Gutstein’s developmentally based, parent guiding program that she immediately took the steps needed to obtain certification as an RDI consultant. 

Wendy continually seeks to add to her therapeutic toolbox and continuously strives to develop a richer and more enhanced skill set. She is currently privileged to be part of a small working group that meets with Dr. Gutstein once a week to further develop and refine both the RDI program and the Dynamic Intelligence Curriculum Program. The Dynamic Intelligence Program is a cutting edge research based program that Dr. Gutstein recently developed to help children develop the mental processes and tools they need to be able to prepare for and handle personal challenges more successfully. 

In addition to working in private practice, Wendy is also currently affiliated with Over the Rainbow Family Based Pediatric Services in Edmonton, Alberta. She  often has the opportunity to engage in collaborative case management with a diverse and skilled group of occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists and clinical psychologists. 

Wendy works both locally and with families in diverse regions of the world. She is currently supporting families in Canada, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Wales, and China.