Depression Counselling in Gibbons, AB.

The way you think greatly impacts how you feel, and navigating this on your own can be confusing. If you are one of the 1in 5 Canadians that experience depression at sometime in your life, there is help. Together we can take a closer look at how you think and appraise circumstances and events and explore how that impacts your overall outlook and feelings. When you change the way you think you can change how you feel and I am here to help with that.

My extensive work with depression will help you explore and discover the roots of depression in your life, why it continues, and how to reduce and manage depression. I work with clients to map out a customized Depression Management strategy designed to: Identify their depression cycle, The effects of depression in their lives, Zone in on key depression triggers, and Personalize strategies to interrupt their depression cycle. Since each person's learning and change process differs, I integrate various resources, tools, reading materials, and screening kits -- depending on the preferences of my clients. Depression takes a collaborative, supportive, and ongoing partnership to combat it.

Depression is not feeling bad – it is not feeling. When we become depressed we try to insulate ourselves from our emotions. Treatment for depression requires a willingness to feel what we are avoiding. This requires a process of exploring the buried feelings in a safe, supportive environment. As we become friends with our emotions we can gradually come back to life.

Johnny was referred by his doctor and his frustrated parents because he was sad and distressed for prolonged periods of time. He had frequent absences and poor grades. He would have angry outbursts and crying episodes. He struggled making friends, would end up in fights and was often in trouble with his teachers. I met with Johnny’s parents, visited his school and observed him in class. I met with him in my playroom and used non-directive play to show I was listening and I cared. Eventually, he opened up and began to talk about his sad feelings behind the anger. He learned how to identify problems and found tools for dealing with them.

Depression is challenging because people often know what they should do to feel better, and the people in their life are probably lecturing them as well... "Go exercise, you'll feel better", "You need to get out of the house!", "Why don't you go spend time with others and meet new people?" etc... The issue with depression is that it robs us of energy to do these things, and more importantly, it plays tricks with our mind about our perceived and actual experiences...making it all seem negative and not enjoyable. Together, we can find a spark of hope to expand on so that you actually WANT to do the things you know you should be doing and so you can feel some enjoyment from them!

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.

Depression is the common cold of psychology. Like anxiety and stress, depression is quite commonly reported by consumers of psychotherapy. I am experienced, comfortable, and patient with treating depression. I am neither strongly opposed nor strongly supportive of pharmacotherapeutics. I engage an approach that is personal-growth-centered and as independent of the medical model as is possible.

Depression treatment counsellors can help clinically depressed or mildly depressed individuals find the origin of their depression, so it is treated more permanently. In combination with meditation or without, cognitive behavioural therapy, bi-lateral stimulation, EMDR and exposure therapies are skillfully woven into Shift’s protocol, to create a structured and highly effective treatment. Risk factors and development factors are investigated in the initial intake session. Continued screenings for treatment progression and depression symptoms are present in all subsequent sessions, as well.

Depression can feel like overwhelming sadness, or maybe like you are in a "funk" that you can not get out of. People often start to isolate themselves, and focus on negative thoughts. I offer a warm, safe place to share your feelings, examine your relationships and perceptions that may be contributing to your depression. I introduce concrete suggestions that will help you get your back on track. People frequently feel a sense of relief after sharing their burdens. In discussing experiences people are often able to view themselves differently and gain insight into how they can more effectively deal with situations and relationships.

Depression can be as complex and varied as the people who experience it. Because of this, solutions can also vary. I want to know how depression intrudes on your life: How does it feel? What does it stop you from doing? When did it start? Then I can tell you what research says about effective ways to get through it. And together, we can fit these ways for your situation. More specifically, I integrate the cognitive-behavioural, narrative, and solution-focused methods to co-develop a plan that works for you. I work online across Canada or in-person in Calgary.

Depending is often the result of negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself and your life. One gets trapped in a downward spiral that drains the life force out of you. Past experiences and actions may continue to haunt you. The beliefs about oneself can be difficult to fight. My approach is not to cheer lead you to fight them and be strong but to go deeper and challenge the very truth of what you are believing about yourself. Accepting ones weakness and vulnerability without being controlled by them can be hard but it is ultimately the way up to a more integrated and fulfilling life.

Depression is something that can arise at any moment in time due to a certain event in someones life. Someone with depression may feel lost, hopeless or down at times. Depression is treatable and after the clients seek treatment they will experience increased energy, feel more "positive" about life and have relief from emotional suffering. Treatment will help the person find hope and regain control of their life.

[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