APPROACHES & MODALITIES

  Ms. Brierley works with individuals, couples and families. She offers

 a wide range of services, depending on the presenting issues: 

Stress;  Anxiety;  Panic Attacks; Post Traumatic Stress/Neglect

Depression; Co-Dependency; Individuation; Attachment; Abandonment

 Depression; Grief, Loss and Bereavement

Parenting; Caregiving; Aging; Mid-Life Crisis

Anger;  Fear; Suicide, Sleep issues,

Chronic Pain; Health Issues; Creativity

 Forgiveness; Guilt; Jealousy; Shame; Life purpose

 Phobias;  Compulsive Behaviors 

Self-Care; Rejection;  Self-Esteem

Sexual Assault; Abuse

Due to Shelley's breath of experience as both a Psychotherapist and Supervisor, she takes an eclectic approach to counselling therapy and supervision, utilizing a number of different approaches depending upon whom she is dealing with and the learning style serves her clients best. 

Some of the modalities she incorporates are: 

      Family Systems Theory                               Mindfulness

    Perceptual Control Theory                            Dream Work

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy                          Meditation

            Gestalt Therapy                                 Conflict Resolution

             Hypnotherapy                                        Reality Therapy

Grief and Loss Work 

Method of Levels Approach

Adult Children of Alcoholics work

Inner Child work

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Shelley's utilizes a variety of  approaches including: relational, systems, psycho-educational and therapeutic interventions.  A key aspect of Ms. Brierley’s format is the incorporation of a process she developed,  called ‘Positive Future Framing,'  which invites students to identify hoped for outcomes.  She then assists clients in bringing their current patterns of behavior to awareness, supporting them in aligning their core beliefs, values and behaviors though self-evaluation of the same, as it relates to their identified outcomes. 

The focus is forward and choice oriented; one of Shelley’s most common phrases, over the years is, “You only have choice when you have awareness.”  This statement reflects her belief and practice;  when we as individuals are aware of our present behaviors,  we  are in position to evaluate our perceptions, recognize our patterns of behavior, and potentially develop realistic short and long-term plans. This provides the option for the individual to act intentionally, in awareness, moving forward toward their identified outcomes, claiming their full potential. 

 
Ms. Brierley believes in both Personal and Social Responsibility.  Internal Locus of Control, founded upon an understanding of internal motivation, is the basic premise of Perceptual Control Theory. In her role as a Facilitator, Shelley utilizes this model along with two key aspects of successful therapy; personal awareness and self-evaluation;  considering the impact of their choices on others.  Shelley encouraging clients to focus their energy on aspects of their lives they have control over so as to make changes they choose, claiming greater personal and social responsibility.   

As an Educator, Ms. Brierley believes in setting people for success. She teaches skills and strategies to support individuals in gaining and maintaining their balance, even after counselling is complete.  The goal is toward both independence and interdependence; her definition of long-term success.

Shelley’s Hallmarks: 

Personal and Social Responsibility 

A focus on Wellness, Strengths, Wants, Needs, Success 

Defining Core Beliefs 

Clarifying Values

Setting Limits and Respecting Boundaries

Kindness and Self Acceptance

Utilizing awareness of Past Patterns to understand Present Patterns & Behaviors

Focusing on the Present, with an eye to creating hoped for Future Outcomes 

Considering a variety of Perceptions

Awareness of Patterns, Behaviors, and Choices

Challenging Awareness of what one actually has Control Over 

Broadening Frames of Reference

Self-Evaluation

Short and Long Term Planning

 
Her goal is to empower individuals by teaching them a new frame of reference from which to consider their perspectives and behaviors. Shelley teaches her clients Perceptual Control Theory (PCT), a frame of reference from which they can understand the behavior of all living things, which in turn allows them to understanding themselves and others, allowing them to more abley and effectively meet their personal needs.

 
As well, Ms. Brierley frequently teaches a simplified , layman friendly, version of PCT she developed called, “The Short Hand of Needs.”  It addresses the needs to be: loving, playful, powerful, free, surviving and honoring spirit.  This frame of reference provides a practical and concrete means from which individuals can reflect, self-evaluate and determine behaviors which support them in strengthening their self-confidence, self-esteem, and personal balance.

Gaining a brief family history, Ms. Brierley invites individuals to consider family patterns, identifying and confronting faulty core beliefs, faulty programming and repeated unhealthy patterns. Insight creates new awareness, laying the groundwork for the individuals to choose more effective core beliefs, identifying and enacting behaviors which reflect the same. The process outlined above allows individuals to gradually move toward their hoped for chosen outcomes; creating their future personalized life path.

"That which is to burn bright must be able to endure the flame."  -  Viktor Frankl

Painting by:  Patsy Vangolen, "The Journey"