Anntoinette Briley

My name is Anntoinette Briley and I am an independent contractor in Mental Health as a licensed professional counselor. I have over 20 years of experience in the counseling profession. I have acquired a sizeable background in the following areas working as a solo practitioner for my own private practice, an inpatient group home facility for adolescents, an inpatient psychiatric hospital stabilization unit for males, an outpatient substance abuse program, an agency for foster children, and a nursing home facility/hospital collaboration as program director. I identify with various counseling approaches depending on your specific need during our counseling session. Such as (1) building a rapport or level of trust with you, (2) displaying empathy- I strive to create a safe healthy environment for you to process without judgment, and (3) maintaining openness and honesty to name a few.

My approach

I identify with various counseling approaches based on your needs. The approaches are (1) psychodynamic therapy- correlation of how your past experiences affect current problems, (2) client-centered therapy-supportive of your discovery of self, and consistent with displaying empathy, nonjudgmental, and a nondirective stance, (3) cognitive-behavioral therapy- assist you with becoming aware of how your thoughts and behaviors will affect your outcome, (4) Reality Therapy-focus in the present tense (in the moment), assist you with identifying individual responsibility and taking control of your life while being positive and nonjudgmental. My top counseling modality is individual therapy- one-on-one. However, I enjoy using Gestalt therapy because it is centered on increasing your awareness, freedom, and self-direction. While engaging you to focus on the present moment rather than your past experiences. My specialty areas include Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Relationship Issues, Life Transitions, Emotional Distress Regulation, Self-Esteem, Trauma/ PTSD, Gender Identity, Coping Skills Identification, Body Image, Inability to set goals, and Career/life decisions.

My focus

I would like to partner with you to help improve your ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships. In addition, helping you become effective in your ability to cope with the stresses of life. While enhancing your inner ability to promote healthy life decision-making skills.

My communication style

My communication style is assertive. I thrive to be inclusive towards valuing your time, rights, and needs. In addition to, respecting your needs and desires. I am an active listener. I aim to listen attentively in order to, understand what you're saying, respond and reflect on what's being said, and retain the information for later (as needed). My usage of tones in sessions are humor, enthusiasm, respectfulness, and calmness. My demeanor entails a sense of confidence, patience, acceptance, self-awareness, appreciation of diversity, and empathy.

My journey to mental healthcare

I worked at a group home with sexually aggressive adolescent females as an education facilitator and group leader. I observed how the youth were being mistreated verbally by the clinicians at that time. I was disappointed in how the clinician's demeanor and made a personal commitment to return back to school and major in counseling. After obtaining my Master's degree, I returned back the group home as a clinical therapist to display dignity and respect towards the youth while partnering with them to reach their desired goals for discharge from the facility.

My goals for you

Success care and progress can be identified as assisting you with feeling better about yourself, and making healthy positive changes while developing into the person you desire to be. While gathering acceptance that you will probably have to make sacrifices and take risks to be a better version of yourself. Furthermore, building trust with me can enhance your chances of accomplishing your therapeutic goals. Because without trust it will be difficult for your therapeutic experience to work.

My first session with you

In your initial intake assessment session, you can expect the following (1) a brief introduction of myself-I believe it is only fair of me to share a few details about myself since this process will require vulnerable moments from you, (2) a series of background questions will be asked to get a better understanding of your need for counseling, (3) you will be asked to identify your presenting problem/chief complaint and symptoms related to your focal concerns, (4) a treatment plan will be constructed with your assistance involving your focal areas of concern, and (5) I will summarize our initial intake session and ask if you want to schedule a follow-up appointment(s). Know that I welcome the opportunity to use my skills and training to partner with you on your self-discovery journey of redesigning, edifying, and honoring yourself with purpose.