Kippens -
Retired teacher, counsellor and now author, Bride Doyle of Kippens is launching her first book at Kindale Public Library in Stephenville on Dec. 9 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Her 143-page book "Quest for Happiness, Handling Difficult Relationships Using the FTA Approach" is accompanied by a CD of relaxation techniques.
FTA stands for feel, think, act.
This companion set is designed to aid anyone on a quest to living a more enriched, fulfilled life.
Doyle has always wanted to write a book and decided on this particular book and topic because she was often asked in her professional and volunteer life the question: "How do I handle this difficult relationship?"
"People experiencing turmoil in their life wanted help and to take action to change their life, so that's why I came up with the title, Quest for Happiness, since really happiness is what everyone is looking for," she said.
While the focus of the book is mainly on couples, whether it is husband and wife, mother and son or father and daughter, there are strategies to help people work through living in different relationships, including with seniors or young people.
"There are strategies in the book to help people unhappy in their workplace," Doyle said.
The book has space to write your own thoughts and the CD features 12 relaxing techniques, narrated by Doyle with music by Martin MacNeil of Stephenville, to correspond to the 12 chapters in the book. After reading each chapter, you can sit and listen to the narration that applies to that chapter.
As a retired teacher and counsellor, Doyle has 31 years experience in the Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador educational settings. She attained a master's degree in education in guidance and counselling from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and bachelor of arts and bachelor of education degrees from Memorial University.
In her professional career, she was a high school teacher, an administrator and guidance resource teacher at the board level. Having been actively involved in several professional organizations in both provinces, she helped influence both provincial and board directives.
As a counsellor and team member on various board committees, she assisted in the writing of several practical workbooks, which included topics in mediation, self-esteem and drug and alcohol addiction.
She is now a volunteer on the Reading Committee of the Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador and in October hosted an entertaining evening with local authors, Michele Doucette and Nadine Simon.
In the past 11 years of retirement, Doyle has continued to write seminars, facilitate group process, do private individual counseling and is available to speak to groups on topics related to her profession.
Her book, published by DRC Publishing in St. John's, evolved out of her research to find valuable resources to help her clientele and help people work through an unhappy relationship or situation.
Bride, the eldest of eight living siblings, grew up in Carbonear. A former Presentation Sister of Newfoundland and Labrador, she now lives with John, her husband and their two puppies, Kippy and Steffie.
At the Kindale launch event, Doyle's book will be available for purchase and she will be on hand for signing.
