Depression Counselling in Stirling, AB.

Depression is a mood disorder that can cause a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that can interfere with daily functioning. Reaching out for help is a step towards wellness. Symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, but it is a very treatable condition. Therapy for depression helps you overcome the feelings of hopelessness and despair and to gain control of your life.

When one is depressed the range of thoughts and feelings encompass a wide spectrum. Sadness and despair might be pervasive. One can feel as if they have fallen into a deep dark pit where everything is covered in negativity and hopelessness. In this state, one can feel inadequate, discouraged, unable or unwilling to make decisions. In addition, guilt, shame, profound low self-esteem and loss of interest in relationships, sex, career and even life itself are commonly found. A variety of evidence-based tools, specific to the needs of the individual, applied skillfully at the right time, can dramatically lift one out of that deep, dark pit and help avoid relapse.

As someone who has a history of depression personally and intergenerationally, I am well aware of the great challenges and opportunities for growth that this experience can bring. For those struggling with depression, healing can feel elusive, as if nothing will ever work. It often requires a wider lens, an eye for patterns and a deeply supportive and holistic orientation to shift this dynamic. My approach comes from my years of experience moving through and finally out of my own depression and integrating the ancestral patterns that laid the foundation for it in my life. I now come to you with a wide-reaching tool kit to support you in your journey.

In our sessions, we will explore the factors that contribute to feelings of depression and low mood and practice skill-building. We can learn to identify and shift the thinking patterns, accept and process our emotions, and detach ourselves from any expectations that may be keeping us stuck. We can also learn new ways to relate to ourselves and support ourselves through depression.

Depression is not a sign of weakness or something that you can "just snap out of". It is an illness that requires professional treatment. I can help you investigate what is contributing to your depression, find ways to accept, change or adapt to these situations, set realistic goals for the future, identify unhelpful thought processes or maladaptive behaviours that are contributing to feelings of hopelessness, and develop skills to cope with problems in order to prevent future episodes.

Many people may view depression as unhappiness, but, it is simply more than that. Depression can affect sleep, appetite, sex, pain, energy levels, and emotions. Experiencing depression can make a person feel alone, isolated, stuck, and hopeless. If depression has come knocking at your door, I am here to help you open the door and assist in understanding and managing symptoms. You are not alone and you don't have to figure this out on your own.

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

Our thinking and our behaviors can have a significant impact on our mood. Learning to understand the core beliefs that we carry and how they cause us to engage in distorted thinking can make a difference to our mood and joy in life. Changing our actions, can impact how we feel. Motivation and energy are low - making change difficult! Work with me to determine the best ways to get you back to a point of experiencing joy.