Welcome to my website. I am so glad you have found me.
I am Carol Ann Brayley, MSW, RSW, SEP. I am a neurodivergent psychotherapist and somatic experiencing practitioner with over 29 years of clinical experience. I am especially passionate about helping neurodiverse families become better regulated so that they can feel safer in the world and fully embrace their gifts, with fewer meltdowns.
I am
fully certified by Unyte for both SSP and iLs Focus. I am also a
Unyte approved Mentor, for other providers.
Whether you are someone who is
looking for an SSP provider, or you are someone who is already working with an SSP provider but are looking for
additional resources, I'd love to help!
If you are a
SSP provider looking for
indvidual consultation, group consultation,
advanced SSP training, to have
your own SSP process expertly guided by Carol Ann Brayley with teaching included
at no additional charge, and other resources to enhance your SSP practice such as
customizable SSP practice forms - or to receive a
considerable discount with a
Deluxe SSP Provider Practice Bundle, I am happy to help.
With Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) who you choose to be your provider is extremely important and you have many options.
Why limit yourself to working with a provider who just has experience working with kids? Or just with adults? Or providers who are only comfortable working with those who are on the spectrum? Or only those with trauma? Or those who are “straightforward”?
SSP is an approach that for many providers has a wide learning curve. Regardless of anyone’s age, background or diagnosis,
every brain and nervous system is different.SSP can be an
extremely life changing transformative approach. However, when it is listened to at a pace that is too fast for that person, it is possible that some things may get worse before they get better. When delivery of SSP is
carefully titrated to the nervous system of the specific individual when needed, it allows the process to be much more gentle with the maximum likelihood of effectiveness, in even the most complex situations.
I made my own mistakes when I was first learning how to offer SSP back in May 2019.
Many SSP providers out there - even some who have been offering SSP for a long time but with a much lower volume of clients -
are still struggling, trying to figure it out.
When
Unyte receives enquiries that they consider
too complex for their in house providers - or from SSP providers who need help after having difficult experiences either in their own process or with clients - they very often
refer them to me. In November 2022, I was featured on a Unyte-iLs webinar for SSP providers, sharing my knowledge and expertise on how to offer this protocol gently and safely, to even
the most complex clients.
September 2024 Unyte featured me as a "Provider Spotlight" speaker for their live webinar
How Anxiety Manifests in the Nervous System.
In October 2024 Unyte invited me sit on a
panel of SSP experts, being interview by Jan Winhall, a leading voice in trauma and nervous system regulation and a
live in person event in Toronto, Ontario. You can access the recording of that event,
here.
If you or your child’s background includes trauma, chronic health concerns, being neurodivergent or having other special needs, you will especially benefit from choosing me to be your provider..
I myself am a highly sensitive
neurodivergent person who is
highly sensitive and has
complex health concerns and also have raised my two wonderful children to adulthood. Even within just my immediate family alone, collectively our concerns have either currently or previously included: misophonia, anxiety, brain injuries, autism, ADHD, slow cognitive ADHD, fibromyalgia, complex developmental trauma, selective mutism, Tourettes syndrome, Auditory Processing Disorder, (APD), tinnitus, depression, social anxiety, sensory sensitivities, cognitive difficulties, chronic insomnia, MTHFR genetic mutations, autoimmune disorders, MAST cell activation syndrome, chronic pain, suspected hypermobile Ehler Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), digestive issues, and more.
Imagine the relief of dealing with a provider who quickly and intuitively “gets” what is happening without you having to work so hard to explain.
Picture the joy of working with someone who recognizes there are many different types of beautiful brains rather seeing SSP as a way to “cure” neurodivergence or push someone to conform. Instead SSP is offered as a wonderful approach that may help
virtually anyone feel safer in the world and more confident in fully embracing all of who they are, without feeling "less than".
Experience the ease of working with a provider who respects your needs and communication style and is happy to creatively come up with solutions when needed. If some aspect of doing SSP is challenging, we will figure it out together.
Enjoy the benefit of being guided by someone who is highly intuitive and can sense and help in the earliest stages of dysregulation rather one who may at times be stumbling around in the dark and not notice something has started to go astray until something dramatic occurs - and then leave you waiting while they seek advice.
When you choose me as your SSP provider, you will experience the luxury of my ability to quickly see the bigger picture so that
you can relax into the process, without ever needing to worry or figure things out on your own.
Furthermore, I offer much more than one stop shopping. SSP is meant to be the beginning rather than the end of treatment and is meant to be followed by something else, for maximum effectiveness. Should you choose to pursue either NeurOptimal Neurofeedback or iLs Focus after SSP - or in between rounds of SSP - you will enter the next phase of your journey already comfortable and familiar with the high level of service you can expect from me.
Are you a woman who has ADHD? I also offer an
online group for women with ADHD!
Visit here to learn more.