Depression Counselling in Didsbury, AB.

Depression is one of the leading problems reported regarding mental health. Depression can affect many areas of life including your functioning in your relationships, employment, education, and leisure activities. Working with a mental health professional to resolve issues that can cause depression is critical to healthy functioning and living life to its potential.

Depression can be all-consuming and life can seem overwhelming, difficult and hopeless at times. Despite the feeling of hopelessness, there is a reason to hope. Depression is manageable and something my clients can and do overcome. Because depression is unique to each person, I tailor my counselling style and approach to what works best for you. I also offer hypnotherapy because of the success it has in treating depression. Part of this process will involve being open to changing unhelpful patterns and behaviours. With your willingness and my guidance and support, you can identify what contributes to your depression, how to catch yourself from regressing and identify how to maintain progress

We’ve been told over and over that depression is the result of biochemical imbalance and requires medication to be treated. But more recent research suggests that declaring biochemistry as the leading cause of depression has been overblown. I recognize that sometimes antidepressant medication is helpful, but newer research supports my experience that it has been overprescribed. While I know that depression is an unwanted visitor and that it can be hard to see how it serves any purpose, I invite you to consider it as an opportunity to go more deeply within to come to some greater healing and understanding in your life. I am here to facilitate that process with as much comfort as possible.

You will be treated in a respectful manner. Often depression has many natural causes which can be successfully changed. Looking at painful feelings and unresolved difficulties are a few of the areas that are addressed to lead to change. After addressing these issues people often state that they feel less or none of the depression they previously experienced. Some people (who choose to use anti-depressant medication) will no longer need their anti-depressant medication. Others will be able to reduce their medication.

When we become deeply unhappy or depressed, an avalanche of feelings, thoughts, physical sensations and behaviours come in to play. The huge emotional upheaval that can come from experiencing loss, separation, rejection or defeat, is normal and it is a shared experience by most people. However, if this distress goes on for too long it can start to permeate every aspect of our lives, taking over and dragging us down with it. Depression affects mind, body and spirit. As your therapist, think of me as your lifeline. Through Mindfulness-based strategies along with other evidence-based therapeutic interventions, depression can be overcome and I can help you on that journey back to yourself.

Do you suffer from feelings of sadness, guilt, and worthlessness? Are you constantly tired and lacking motivation? Maybe you find yourself avoiding people and activities you once enjoyed (including sex). You may be suffering from depression. Depression can cause a wide range of symptoms including fatigue, sleep and appetite disturbance, memory loss, and physical pain. You do not have to accept depression as a way of life, there is hope! Let me help you to discover how your inherent strengths and proven strategies can lead to a life of vitality and joy.

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.

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.

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.

Depression is part of a wonderful design; depression attempts to keep us on track by bringing our attention to sad and discouraging elements in our lives, and inviting us to make changes that will improve our experience. At McNaughton and Associates Counselling, we will help you understand the messages that your depression holds, and use those messages to identify worthwhile changes for making life meaningful and rewarding.

Do you feel like life is passing you buy? Do at times feel down or without hope? Have you lost interest in activities you once enjoyed? Do you lack energy? If you answered yes then you are not alone. Many people experience depression at different times in their lives. When you are able to recognize that you are feeling depressed then you can start to take action to make positive changes. Therapy is a key way of making that change. Here at Effective Solutions Counselling & Consulting Inc. we can help. We believe in each person’s unique strengths and draw on theses through the use of a wide range of proven methods to help you start to feel better. Let us help you!

[NOTE: MY OFFICE IS IN CALGARY -- I DO VIDEO SESSIONS ELSEWHERE IN ALBERTA]. I have been severely clinically depressed several times in my life. I know how it feels to be in a dark hole yet be unable to rise above and function normally again. But I can help. I know all of the techniques and I have a good understanding of the right physical interventions to help you as well. Book a session today by simply going to https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

Dr. Pat Keelan is Living Well's resident expert regarding depression. He started and ran a Depression group at one of Calgary's largest agencies for over 8 years. Natasha is also very strong in working with clients with depression, using research proven Solution Focused methods. To learn more about Pat or Natasha go to http://livingwellcounselling.ca/our-therapists