Shelley Read, Therapist, Aging Well Consultant, Kitchener, ON

I focus on helping adults clearly define and reach their personal wellness goals from a holistic perspective — the mind and body are connected in subtle and amazing ways. Realizing that each person is unique in their challenges and strengths, therapy is molded around individualized needs. We will work together to identify and promote your strengths and resources to cope with the issues or difficulties that concern you.
Many therapeutic approaches are found to be helpful in supporting and guiding individuals and families through life’s challenges. I have a compassionate and strengths based approach when working with all individuals. In addition to other interventions and techniques, I have found that CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is an extremely useful approach to working with a wide variety of concerns. We will work together to decide on the best approach for your personal needs in therapy.
Areas of Specialty
Part of my practice is devoted to the unique concerns facing persons with, or families of persons with chronic illness or disability as well as those with dementia and other age related challenges. Depression, grief and loss issues, trauma and caregiver stress are some of the concerns which may present in this stage of one’s life.
I am also very intrigued by issues pertaining to low self-esteem and how one’s core beliefs can be a result of other concerns or development issues. Low self-esteem can sometimes be a result of current difficult and stressful life circumstances as well as negative life experiences from one’s past. Our sessions can help to identify causes and indicators of low self-esteem and in turn personal growth can develop which leads to a better self awareness, healing and balance of core beliefs.