"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison of what lies inside of you." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

KELLY BREAU COUNSELLING

Congratulations on taking the first step toward a happier, healthier you--this can sometimes be the hardest part! You might be feeling down, have a loss of energy and hope, have difficulty facing situations, people, and places. You might be experiencing feelings of guilt and worthlessness or have difficulty with relationships in your life. Maybe you have had some very difficult things happen to you in your life and are looking for a space to work through and move toward healing from these experiences. My hope is to work along side you to achieve your goals and help you through whatever you are struggling with.

"If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves."

Thomas A. Edison

ABOUT KELLY

I have always had an interest in human behaviour, emotion, and thinking.

I hold a Masters degree in Mental Health & Health Social Work from the University of Toronto, and am registered in good standing with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.

I was born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick; however, have been residing in Yarmouth County for the past 11 years.

My work experience includes 5 years in the Human Services field working with adults with mental health, cognitive and developmental difficulties as well as children with special needs. This work was then followed by 12 years as a social worker in the Mental Health and Addictions field. This included being a part of mobile mental health crisis team, coordinating a withdrawal management program, and providing therapy to those experiencing concurrent disorders.

Areas of training and specialization that I have obtained include: Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Prolonged Exposure for PTSD, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), concurrent disorders, substance abuse, mental health issues, and working with First Nations populations.

Upcoming training includes (to be completed in 2023): Gender Affirming Care, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and CBT for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

My hobbies and interests include animals/pets, animal welfare, camping, photography, & painting.

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."

Jimmy Dean

Specific Therapies I Can Do With You

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

CBT can help individuals learn to identify, question and change the thoughts, attitudes and beliefs related to the emotional and behavioural reactions that cause difficulty and distress. By monitoring and tracking thoughts during upsetting situations, individuals can become aware of how thought patterns contribute to emotional problems, such as depression and anxiety. CBT helps to reduce issues by teaching individuals to identify negative patterns in thinking, see thoughts as "just thoughts" rather than as facts. While also learning to observe your thoughts and consider different viewpoints.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

DBT focuses more on the emotional and social aspects of living. DBT teaches individuals to accept their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and the techniques to change them. Not only are personal skills taught in DBT, but skills for interpersonal relationships are also addressed. Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness are the 4 main areas of skills learned.

Prolonged Exposure for PTSD

Prolonged exposure for PTSD teaches individuals to gradually approach their trauma-related memories, feelings and situations. They presumably learn that trauma-related memories and cues are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided.

Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD

CPT is a specific type of cognitive behavioural therapy that has been effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. Types of trauma that it has been effective in treating include: child abuse, accidents, combat, sexual assault, and natural disasters. CPT helps individuals learn how to challenge and change unhelpful beliefs and thoughts related to the trauma. In so doing, the individual creates a new understanding of the trauma and reduce the ongoing negative effects on current life.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a structured therapy in which you focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, tones/sounds). This helps to reduce the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.

SCHEDULE A SESSION

Hours of service:

Mondays: 1:00PM to 8:30PM

Wednesdays: 4:30PM to 8:30PM

Thursdays: 9:00AM to 8:30PM.

Service Delivery Options:

In-person session

Virtual/video sessions

Phone session

Billing:

Sessions are covered under most insurance plans, but please double check with your provider if you are unsure.

Direct billing is available to: Medavie Blue Cross, Victim Services, NIHB, and EAP.

Payment methods accepted:

Cash, Credit Card, & e-Transfer.

Standard 60 minute session: $110.00

Please note that this rate will increase January 1/24.

***NOT CURRENTLY ACCPETING NEW CLIENTS***