Wallace C. Murray, a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor and member of the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta, approaches his work with clients from a holistic perspective, blending modern therapeutic methods with global and Indigenous modalities. Through trust and connection, Wallace guides individuals to uncover their truth, focusing on restoring balance in relationships and fostering personal growth. With a background in trauma therapy and extensive training in various modalities such as Compassionate Inquiry, NLP, and parts therapies, Wallace offers a comprehensive approach to healing. As a member of multiple professional associations and a practitioner of psychedelic-assisted therapy, Wallace is dedicated to providing effective and compassionate care to his clients, both in-person and online. MysticMag and Wallace shoot the breeze…
Wallace, you mention using a combination of modern therapeutic methods and global/Indigenous modalities in your practice. How do you blend these different approaches to best support your clients?
What I’m always interested in when I work with clients is what’s going on between the conscious and unconscious. In many traditional approaches, there’s a focus on understanding that much of our experiences and challenges stem from deep within us, often due to past harms or a sense of disconnection from our relationships. On the other hand, in Western clinical therapy, there’s often a top-down approach that emphasizes the mind’s role in creating our reality and focuses on shifting behaviors and outcomes. I blend these approaches in my work, recognizing that while the conscious mind is important, many of our wounds and issues reside in the unconscious. In my first session, I’ve developed my own approach, which combines Western psychodynamic elements with influences from various teachers I’ve studied with. I explore not only my clients’ thoughts but also their body sensations, feelings, and emotions. I use a mix of techniques, some of which are typical in therapy, while others are more spiritual or ceremonial in nature.
Mental health and care plans seem to be an important aspect of your work. Could you explain how these plans are developed, and why they’re significant for individuals and communities in need of mental health support?
The reason care plans are important to me stems from my past work with children, where I witnessed the significance of involving various stakeholders in discussions about how to best support individuals. A well-developed care plan brings together different perspectives, including those of the government, social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, family members, spiritual communities, and elders. This inclusive approach ensures that all aspects of a person’s life are considered, incorporating their unique life story and experiences. By understanding the impacts and adverse events in someone’s life, we can develop a comprehensive plan that not only includes therapy but also involves schools, workplaces, and relationships with family and others. This holistic approach is crucial for helping individuals move forward and heal.
You offer a program called “Living with Dying” for individuals with terminal illnesses. Could you elaborate on what this program entails and how it helps people facing these challenging circumstances?
When individuals are faced with the news that their time on Earth is limited, they are confronted with important decisions. One key decision is how they choose to respond to this information—whether to fight to prolong life or to approach the remaining time with acceptance and centeredness. This decision-making process involves getting clear on one’s wishes and values. Additionally, there is a need to prepare for the transition into the spirit world, which includes both active preparation and readiness for the moment of death. This dual process involves deciding how to live with the time remaining and preparing for the journey into the next phase of existence.
Could you share a success story or an example of a client’s journey that highlights the positive impact of your therapeutic approaches and methods?
In therapy or in the work of navigating life, we respond based on the multitude of experiences and impacts we’ve encountered. Whether we engage in certain activities, use specific coping mechanisms, or exhibit certain behaviors, these responses are learned and shaped by our past experiences. Therapy often involves delving into the sources of these responses to gain awareness of why we behave the way we do in the world. This awareness grants us a profound power—not only do we understand how we’ve shaped our world, but we also become aware of the influences that have shaped us. With this understanding, we can begin to shift these patterns, shedding layers to reveal our authentic selves.
Witnessing individuals gain this awareness and choose to author their own authenticity is remarkable. It leads to significant changes, such as shifting careers, transforming relationships, and making bold life choices. One key sign of this transformation is the shift from feeling that something is off in life to embracing the full spectrum of human emotions and experiences. It’s about living an authentic human life, where joy, love, anger, and hate all exist but are embraced as part of the journey. This transformation marks a profound shift in how we relate to ourselves and the world around us.
You’ve been involved in a wide range of practices and studies, from Compassionate Inquiry to Shaman awakening. How have these diverse experiences influenced your current approach to counseling and therapy?
I view my work and life as being deeply rooted in ceremony, where each moment is a transition before returning to the spiritual realm. This perspective has been profoundly shaped by the therapeutic work I’ve described, as well as by my experiences working with knowledge keepers from First Nations and Cree communities, as well as Balians, the holy people or gurus of Bali. These influences inform my approach to working with individuals.
My focus has increasingly shifted towards non-ordinary states of consciousness, particularly in the realm of psychedelic therapies. Currently, my thesis is centered around the concepts of Set and Setting, which respectively refer to internal and external states of consciousness. I believe that all these influences have led me to where I am today, and I am grateful for the journey that has brought me here.
If you would like to find out more about Wallace Murray, please visit https://www.wallacemurray.com/
