Depression Counselling in De Winton, AB.

Gerard has diverse experience as a psychologist and leader in social services, schools, university, workplaces, and his private practice. Using a theoretical foundation of social learning and cognitive-behavioural training, he is well-versed in various kinds of formal and informal assessment and solution-focussed approaches. He listens carefully to understand your needs and relies on his extensive experience to help you find solutions.

Depression can be deeply painful, robbing you of energy, motivation, and hope. It creates a negative view of life, your self, and your future. It typically disrupts sleep patterns, appetite, emotions, and your thinking ability. I use the clinical practice of cognitive behavioural therapy to help people regain healthy control over their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and reclaim a sense of influence over their life style and life situation's. Coaching you to refocus, set small daily goals, celebrate your successes, and learn new behavioral and thinking skills can take time but the good news is that once you have acquired these skills you have them for life.

Depression is real, the struggle is invisible and even the smallest tasks seem impossible. It can make feel cut off from joy, purpose, people and even yourself. Your inner critic is already really loud and we don't add more noise. We bring softness, gentle accountability and space for the complex stuff. You are neither broken nor a burden. You are human and healing is possible with the right person in your corner.

If you struggle with hopelessness, fatigue, sadness, guilt and / or negative thinking, seeking an external support may provide you with the perspective and support required to initiate meaningful change. There are a number of different tools and techniques available to those living with depression or mood concerns. Please contact me to discuss my approach and how I may be able to help you address the struggles you are facing.

I use a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in developing treatment plans for clients who are experiencing Depression. Using tools and strategies form these modalities we developed a synthesis of self-acceptance and change. We work toward validation, tolerance, as well as techniques that will improve and increase positive mood behaviours.

Living with depression can feel like being trapped in a relentless cycle of hopelessness and fatigue, where even small tasks seem insurmountable. In our sessions, we'll confront these feelings head-on, uncovering their roots and developing personalized strategies to reignite your inner spark. My approach is holistic, focusing on restoring balance and joy in your life. As you progress, you'll experience a profound transformation, reclaiming a sense of hope, energy, and engagement with life, allowing you to find joy in daily activities and relationships once again.

Tons of people struggle with depression. It can come from different sources; I take the time to help my clients understand the nature of *their* particular depression as it fits into their entire life: mind, body, and soul, better helping them fight for hope and joy. My treatment approach gives clients the strategies, resources and support that can strengthen their abilities to fight this stubborn darkness, leading to greater fulfillment and flourishing in life and relationships.You can feel better again!

Depression can feel heavy, isolating, and exhausting, impacting your thoughts, energy, relationships, and sense of self. Renee provides empathetic, evidence-based depression counselling in a supportive and non-judgmental space where you don’t have to carry that weight alone. She understands that depression is not a weakness, but a complex and very human response to stress, trauma, loss, burnout, or life transitions. Renee works collaboratively with clients to gently explore the underlying patterns contributing to low mood, hopelessness, or disconnection.

Unlike healthy sadness or a "blue mood", depression is not always connected with a particular loss. It can feel as though someone threw a dark, wet, overcoat on top of us and we are unable to move forward or see the good in ourselves or the world around us. Depression is not something you can just snap out of. Fortunately using cognitive behavioral therapy strategies we can focus on identifying and changing your unhealthy beliefs that may be deepening depressive symptoms. Later as your symptoms improve, we can then focus on relapse prevention.

I believe in an approach to helping that starts from building on the strengths of the client; using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused, and Problem Solving pragmatic approaches to help the client learn new strategies to initially cope and then delve into changing the way they think about themselves and their world. Breaking and changing ineffective and damaging thinking patterns and replacing them with more effective and sound habits and patterns is the groundwork for change. I also believe that using an existential approach that takes into account searching for and creating meaning is crucial to building success and growing out of depression.

Social anxiety and shyness can easily lead to feelings of depression. If you feel depressed because you feel alone, isolated and have trouble making friends, you might be glad to know that there is a way to learn and practice the social skills you missed learning as a child. You can learn and practice new skills, meet new people, learn how to start conversations and create your own social circle. Life can change and it takes just one step to start the process rolling in the right drection.

When you are depressed, if effects you whole life, mind and body. Our therapists want to help you to feel better and regain control over your life. We sport you while you learn skills to manage your emotions and assist you in using skills to tolerate and decrease your distress. We use a Dialectical Behavioral approach to learning and skills training, while offering you the convenience of E-therapy from your own home.

Research has clearly demonstrated that mindfulness-based approaches to depression are so powerful that they can reduce the chances of having a relapse by 50%! That's a big deal. A depressed mind is busy creating all kinds of negative thoughts. Mindfulness-based therapy will teach you a new way to relate to your thoughts. You don't have to believe everything you think! Especially the bad stuff, becuse it's often not true.