Shelley has been involved as a counselling therapist/psychotherapist/consultant for over 25 years. Her background includes international speaking, teaching, facilitating, coaching and instruction in regards to balanced living, human behaviour and conflict resolution. While wearing many hats, her clients consistently describe her as welcoming, comforting, safe, challenging, skilled, knowledgeable, and supportive in helping them with a variety of life issues, helping align their behaviours, 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 encourages this, not only with those she works with, but in her own life as well, which is reflected by her frequent reference to clinets as students.
The counselling modalities Shelley utilizes are extensive, including: Family Systems Theory; Perceptual Control Theory, Hypnotherapy; Cognitive Behavioural 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, where it currently continues to thrive. 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.
Most of our clients are recommended by previous clients, clearly indicating her students and clients perceive Ms. Brierley's work to be helpful, respectful, valuable, and life-changing. Shelley considers this to be one of the greatest compliments her clients can give.
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 now accredited as a Registered Clinical Counsellor through the British Columbia Clinical Counsellors Association, 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 Advanced Instructor and supervisor with the International Institute for Reality Therapy and a Senior instructor with the International Association of Applied Perceptual Control Theory supervising and teaching Perceptual Control Theory. In recent years she completed her accreditation as an Advanced Hypnotherapist adding depth to her work.
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 to receive the name 'Mukti.'
'The important this is this: To be ready, at any moment,
to sacrifice what you are for what you could become." - Charles Dubois