Shelley Brierley, MEd, RTC-ACS, CCC, AHTC, RTC

Shelley has been involved as a  counselling therapist/psychotherapist/educator/ facilitator &  consultant for over 35 years.  Her background includes international presentations, teaching, facilitating, coaching, instruction and supervision with a focus on balanced living, emotional and psychological health, human behavior and conflict resolution.  While wearing many hats, her clients consistently describe her as  welcoming, comforting, safe, challenging, skilled, knowledgeable, creative and supportive in helping them with a variety of life issues, aligning their behaviors, values and beliefs.   

Ms. Brierley currently works with individuals, couples,  and families, providing best practices and counselling strategies to connect and support individuals involved.  Utilizing her breadth of experience, Shelley brings a wide range of knowledge,  skills, and flexibility.   

 The word 'philosophy' is defined as 'the love of wisdom,' which amplifies Ms. Brierley's belief in 'Lifelong Learning.' She practices this in her own life and encourages this with those she works with, which is reflected by her frequent reference to clients as students. 

The counselling modalities Shelley utilizes are extensive and include: Family Systems Theory; Perceptual Control Theory, Hypnotherapy; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Gestalt Therapy, Meditation, Mindfulness; Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT); Dream Work; Method of Levels Therapy; Reality Therapy; Adult Children of Alcoholics work; and Conflict Resolution.

Located in the White Rock and Langley areas of BC, Shelley began her private practice in 1983.  For many years prior and up until 2010, Shelley  taught workshops and seminars in Canada, the United States,  Australia, and Internationally, with Counsellors, Therapists,  Educators, Parent Groups, Business Managers, Management Teams, School Districts and Government Organizations.

Her clients primarily come through recommendations by  previous clients which Shelley considers this to be one of the greatest compliments her clients can give.  They consistently describe their work with her as respectful,  insightful, powerful, valuable, and life-changing.  

She holds a BA in Sociology/Psychology and a Master's Degree in Education/Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia.  For many years Shelley was a certified Life Skills Coach and is an accredited Registered Clinical Counsellor, Psychotherapist, and Supervisor, through the British Columbia Clinical Counsellors Association. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Clinical Hypnotherapy and is a Certified Clinical member of the  Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. For many years she was an Senior Instructor and Supervisor with the International Institute for Reality Therapy and the International Association of Applied Perceptual Control Theory, teaching and supervising Perceptual Control Theory.  Adding depth to her work as a clinician, in recent years she completed her accreditation as an Advanced Hypnotherapist.

In 2010 she was awarded a First Nations Name, "T'sum Um Ta,"  and adopted into the Gitzxalla Band of Northern British Columbia. Having worked with many First Nations People in Western Canada throughout her career, she considers this as an incredible honor.

In that same year The British Columbia Counselling Association (BCACC) awarded her one of their most prestigious awards: the Professional Care Award for exhibiting Special Creativity and Effectiveness in Providing Counselling and Professional Care.  

While involved in her Advanced Hypnotherapy Training, in 2018, she was once again honored,  receiving the name 'Mukti.'

                                'The important thing, is this:  To be ready, at any moment,

                          to sacrifice what you are for what you could become."  - Charles Dubois