Depression Counselling in Devon, AB.

Depression is a common mental health condition that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and changes in how you think, sleep, eat and act. Depression is treatable — usually with talk therapy, medication or both. My primary therapeutic approach is centered on several cognitive therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT for depression focuses on disrupting negative thought patterns and replacing them with more helpful ones. CBT aims to modify the unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns that impair one’s functioning. These changes can lead to healthier behaviours and improved emotion regulation.

Have you been feeling down for awhile? Have you lost interest in activities, have low energy, have difficulties making decisions? Do you find it hard to concentrate, to sleep, to get up in the morning? These are all signs of depression, and there are many strategies to deal with it. You do not need to suffer alone! Having someone to walk with you through this can be very helpful. We all have negative thoughts at times, but we can get dragged down into depression when negative thoughts are relentless and constant. It is not easy to battle these alone which is why reaching out for help is so important.

I view depression as a protective response that often develops when the nervous system has been overwhelmed by trauma or prolonged stress. Rather than seeing it as weakness, I help clients understand depression as the body’s way of conserving energy and guarding against pain. Through a trauma-informed and attachment-based approach, we explore the emotions and experiences beneath the shutdown, using somatic awareness, mindfulness, and gentle reconnection to restore safety and vitality. Over time, clients begin to experience relief, self-compassion, and renewed connection with themselves and their lives.

Many people believe that in order to be "strong," they need to bury their feelings and keep them hidden from others. Over time, this can backfire, as feelings can build and take over, leaving a person feeling down and depressed, or overwhelmed. I work with clients not only to work through feelings of anger, resentment, hurt, and sadness that have built up, but to develop new habits of self-care, assertiveness, boundaries, healthy expression of feelings, communication, and stress management so that this does not occur again in the future. By doing this, they can become a more well-rounded person, who feels free to express feelings as they arise, and no longer carries them with them.

Dealing with the black cloud of depression can be a debilitating challenge for many people at different points in life. Understanding how depression impacts our physiology, identifying the triggers that bring about the cycle of depression and learning effective coping strategies to regain control over the darkness that seems to be in charge makes living with depression manageable again.

Depression is a symptom that can be debilitating. The suffering is great and we often do not have the energy to handle life the way we feel we need too. Therapy is an evidence based way to treat depression. The work I do focuses on understanding the root cause of the depression, and working with you to begin allowing yourself to transform and live in a way that in congruent with who you really are.

Everyone's depression is different - uncovering the root causes of a client's depression is critical and determines which form of therapy is best. I integrate multiple therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to hep clients improve. I also have experience working with Bipolar disorder.

Are you struggling to get out of bed, losing interest in once-loved activities or feeling helpless and hopeless? The lethargic and foggy shutdown of depression can make everything in life feel just a few inches out of reach. The good news is that depression is readily treatable. I would be glad to help you explore what is keeping your body stuck in numb disconnection. Next, we form a plan to help you back to your best self. Together we tackle here-and-now symptoms with strategies of mindfulness and CBT, while also untying old knots from the past with emotion-focused and inner-child work. The heaviness of depression is your body asking for care. Are you ready to answer its call?

Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or constantly tired? Are you struggling with a sadness that won't lift, losing interest in things you once loved, or trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts? I get it. Depression is tough. But with the right support, you can find joy again, rediscover motivation, and build resilience. As a clinical counsellor, I'm here to help you reclaim your life with compassionate, results-oriented therapy using proven techniques. Let’s take this journey together. Book your free 15-minute phone consultation today and start moving towards a brighter, more empowered future.

Living with sadness or a dark feeling can be really hard, and getting out of it may seem impossible at times. In our sessions, I aim to create a warm, caring space where you feel truly heard and understood. I understand how overwhelming and isolating depression can be, and I want to support you in navigating these emotions. We can explore the thoughts and feelings behind your depression and develop practical tools to help you feel better, day by day. I will guide you in building healthier coping strategies and finding ways to bring more balance and joy into your life. My hope is that you leave each session feeling lighter, with a sense of empowerment and clarity about how to move forward.

Solution focused therapy allows clients to focus on solutions and the future making it a good fit for working through depression. You are the expert in your life; therapy simply guides you in discovering solutions. Exceptions are an important part of this type of therapy, looking for times when the problem isn’t as intense and building on these. This is a brief technique that can bring relief sooner.

I help clients to challenge problematic thoughts, capitalize on positive coping skills, and teach new ways of coping in order to help them manage feelings of despair, hopelessness, and helplessness. Together, we develop a plan for how to combat fatigue, problems with appetite and sleep, low motivation, a negative focus, and suicidal ideations. I support my clients in implementing, evaluating, and adjusting these plans as they work their way through depressive episodes. Additionally, creating a plan for relapse is essential for long-term success.

Sometimes depression feels so dark it is hard to get out of bed. Other times it is more like a "heavy cloud" that burdens you with constant negative thoughts and feelings. Sometimes people are haunted by a barrage of critical thoughts like "what's wrong with you", " you always screw up", " if only you were like other people". Counselling helps you change the way you think and feel about yourself so you can approach life with a more hopeful and positive outlook.