Depression Counselling in Bracebridge, ON.

Depression is truly debilitating, and at it's most basic means 'to push down'. I counsel clients to reach a deeper understanding of why they feel the way they do, in turn validating their own sense of self and then bring them through a process of recovery and healing where they are able to engage in emotional and physical practices to reach a higher level of emotional stability and contentment.

Experiencing big emotional ups and downs is normal, but there can be times when it feels like the lows are getting longer, more frequent, and harder to deal with. Therapy should be a safe space where you feel comfortable sharing and exploring your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with someone who offers you empathy, authenticity, and acceptance. I work collaboratively with clients to explore how feelings of depression show up in their lives, and to strengthen and develop strategies to minimize the impact they have on living the life you want to live. Book a free consultation to learn more about my approach and explore if we are a good fit.

Effective treatment for depression is best achieved by the two-pronged approach. That is, the first step to recovery is taking anti-depressants, (as prescribed by your doctor) which are very helpful in lifting your mood. The second step is coming to talk a psychotherapist. Together we will look at your current situation as you gradually share some of the difficult feelings you are struggling with. Then we will slowly and gently examine the past to see if these feelings are familiar. Gradually you will begin to gain fresh insights and a new perspective and release from the emotional pain.

Depression is a common mental health issue that can leave you sad and hopeless. It can become challenging to do things you usually enjoy, make it difficult to focus and concentrate, and sometimes lead to anxiety, anger or thoughts of suicide. In therapy with me, you will be able to explore your experience of depression and why you might be feeling the way you are feeling, find ways to manage symptoms, and better recognize the strengths and resources you have to change and grow. Schedule a free consultation with me to see if we are a good fit.

In many cases, I view depression as an "alarm bell" that tells the individual that there is something wrong in their life. Have they turned their anger in life toward themselves? Are they not living their best, or preferred, life? Is there something that's happened in their life that is getting them down, but they don't realize how much power it truly has? Depression can also be about learned helplessness, or having a sense, through experience, that there is no point in even trying at something. Such helplessness can come from feeling defeated, feeling significant guilt about something, & even from self-defeating 'self-talk' that an individual engages in (without completely realizing it).

Getting to the root of one's depression, why it occurs, and how it presents itself is imperative in understanding how one can remedy it. By working with clients to explore and comprehensively understand their depression, we will be able to better manage, mitigate, or eliminate the cognitions, behaviours, and feelings tied to our depression. How we became depressed is only the first step in ones work on depression; figuring out how to create change, support, and maintain change is the bulk of it.

Have you lost all interest and pleasure in what used to bring you joy? Are you feeling hopeless and wondering if you're worthy? Instead of worrying, wouldn't you rather have energy, relief, and focus? Wouldn’t it be a relief to have someone hear your thoughts, knowing you won't be judged? Would it be appealing to have someone listen to you with compassion?