Depression Counselling in Castlegar, BC.

I use a Bio-psycho-Social approach to depression, meaning the whole person is taken into account. Together we look at the client’s physical health (diet, sleep, exercise, meds) to assess how the basic functions and systems might be contributing to or protecting from depression. We also explore together their cognitive processes, such as underlying beliefs about themselves. And we look at the emotional and social supports in their lives— is there at least one person they can count on when in distress? I tend to move back and forth organically between two levels: the underlying and historical root causes of depression, and present-day coping skills.

If you're up against depression, we'd collaborate and become a team of sorts. Through thoughtful questioning and listening, we'd begin to identify alternative narratives that challenge your depressive story. By attending to your strengths, resilience and prior successes, you can begin to foster a sense of hope and feel empowered to envision a future where you can live beyond the limitations of depression.

Depression can be an overwhelming sense of sadness and hopelessness. It can also come with or without a clinical diagnosis. Through therapy we will begin to explore the sadness and what it means in the context of your life. We will explore the unique rules of sadness and depression and exceptions to sadness and depression. We will utilize interventions from Response-Based Practice, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

We are first interested in the context and history of the depression or sadness and what may it potentially be in response to. We understand that it is normal to feel extreme sadness in the face of trauma, violence, grief and loss, etc. We also know that clinical depression is something that deserves intentional support and intervention. We work to understand and provide the best support for each individual or family.

Depression is tricky. Depression causes a lowered mood, fatigue, and decreased motivation. Sometimes, Depression goes unnoticed by friends and family. It can appear like everything in your life should be fine, but inside, it's a struggle to get out of bed. I provide a non-judgmental space to explore the areas of your life impacted by depression. You will learn alternative coping mechanisms to help ease future symptoms of depression.

Depression can feel like an empty pit and a hopeless one at that. If you are struggling with depression, counselling can help you to recover from numbness, gain clarity and realign yourself with your values. I will work with you to process your feelings and experiences in order to help you get to a more compassionate, hope-filled place. I will hold the space for you to feel all your feelings and get in touch with your body.