Erica Briley

I have availability and work flexible hours start at 9.30 and the last appointment is at 6pm from Monday to Friday.

QULIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE: MBACP Accred counsellor,  FdA in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis, Diploma in Neuro – Dramatic Play, Certificate of Attendance in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course completed.

I have gained experience in many areas, Volunteering for Victim Support, Southampton University, Charities: Olive Branch Christian Counselling, Service, St Francis Surgery, Chandlers Ford, Life Changes Counselling –This was based at the YMCA, Bereavement Counselling Charity for Young People, EAPs (Employer Assistance Programme) and Private Practice.

My ways of work are:

Empathic Understanding: the ability to understand the client’s internal, subjective world as they see it; and expressed through active listening and appropriate responding. I would check out that I understand the feeling and content which the client is trying to communicate. Demonstrating empathy for another person means I can be emotionally close to that person yet I remain separate with a clear sense of our own identity.

Congruence: is also called genuineness, authenticity or realness, I want my responses to consistently match client’s inner feelings.

Being aware of my feelings towards another is one aspect of congruence and has the ability to reveal ourselves as people. Often it takes courage to reveal ourselves and our feelings. Congruence is a lifelong process and does not happen overnight.

Unconditional Positive Regard: deeply valuing the client as a human being, total acceptance, being non-judgemental and warm. This refers to my deep and genuine caring for the client. I always try to be very careful to maintain a positive attitude to the client.

I am practicing the Gerard Egan’s 3 stage problem solving mode. Taking action, exploring and understanding with a mild challenging approach.

I deliver therapy long or short term face-to-face work, online counselling via telephone or video conference using whereby.com.

Life has its ups and downs and for much of the time we may be able to carry on living life in ways we find satisfying. Sometimes events occur that overwhelm each individual – a loss of bereavement, or a relationship problem, issues that relate to personally and being at a lost to know where to start – there are ways to change situation and grow.

I am a good listener and communicator with the ability to support others while they change, grow or work through a time of crisis. I have the ability to work in an empathic and non-judgemental way with people from varied backgrounds, cultures, sexual orientations and belief systems. I regard confidentiality and a safe, caring environment as essential to my work, whilst recognising the need for challenge.

The first appointment will include discussing and understanding the terms and conditions,  ways of working and how counselling can help you to:

• understand your feelings

• develop strategies so that you feel better

• make decision and identify a way forward

• take action to improve the quality of your life

Discussing Identifying your personal goals to achieve with counselling .