Depression Counselling in Cranbrook, BC.

It is important to recognize that depression "looks different" across people, and I work with clients to identify and address the unique factors that contribute to their depression. For some people the focus may be on cognitive distortions and various thinking styles, while for others a pattern of withdrawal from sustaining interactions with other people may be prominent. A common focus of my approach include helping clients increase their involvement in both meaningful and pleasurable activities, such as physical exercise, hobbies, and social opportunities. Also, over the past several years I have increasingly recognized the importance of mindfulness and incorporate this consistently.

If you're up against depression, we'd collaborate and become a team of sorts. Through thoughtful questioning and listening, we'd begin to identify alternative narratives that challenge your depressive story. By attending to your strengths, resilience and prior successes, you can begin to foster a sense of hope and feel empowered to envision a future where you can live beyond the limitations of depression.

Depression can be experienced in a magnitude of ways and is often experienced differently by each individual. Symptoms may range from feeling increasingly irritable, experiencing a sense of emptiness and hopelessness, and an individual often will feel completely overwhelmed, losing interest in activities they once enjoyed. Depression may also be experienced physically. Physical symptoms may include, but are not limited to a lack of energy, problems sleeping, pronounced weight changes, and eventually, even serious illness. In cases of mild to moderate depression, there is an increasing amount of research supporting counselling as effective as medication in improving a person’s mood. Many clients have been referred to counselling by their family doctor when...(view profile to read more)

Have you lost interest in activities that use to bring you joy? Do you feel down, sad, or depressed? Do you sleep more often than you use to or have trouble feeling motivated? Depression can be very difficult to cope with and can feel like the dark cloud will never lift. There is hope! Bettina uses empirically validated therapies to help the cloud of depression lift, so you can see the joy in your life again. EMDR and CBT are scientifically proven therapies for depression. Sometimes trauma or emotional childhood experiences can cause depression. EMDR helps heal the wounds of trauma which has a significant impact on symptoms of depression.

Depression isn't a character flaw. The lack of motivation and pleasure, sadness and physical fatigue that accompany depression are real and you can't just "snap out of it". Depression affects the body, thoughts, emotions and behaviours and can make you feel stuck, alone and, at times hopeless. It requires patience and non-judgmental understanding that you can find in counselling. If you experience depression, and want to feel better we can explore the factors that underlie your depression and create small goals that allow you to experience success again, help you regain motivation and experience pleasure over time. Change requires commitment and I am ready if you are.

Olivia is passionate about supporting individuals struggling with depression and the deep isolation it often brings. Using a cognitive behavioral therapy approach, she helps clients identify and understand the underlying causes of their depression, challenge negative thought patterns, and develop healthier perspectives. Olivia also provides practical, actionable steps to help clients re-engage with life, rebuild connections, and rediscover joy. With empathy and expertise, she creates a supportive space for clients to navigate their emotions, regain hope, and work toward meaningful change. Olivia’s goal is to empower her clients to move forward with resilience and a renewed sense of purpose.

Depression is not merely a passing bout of sadness; it's a debilitating condition that affects a person's emotions, thoughts, and physical well-being. Symptoms can range from feelings of emptiness, lack of motivation, and loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities, to changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and even physical pain. In severe cases, depression can lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. It's important to recognize that depression is not a sign of weakness, but rather a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. We are here to help you through it, listen without judgement, and create a plan for reducing the impact of depression on your life.

I know all about the deep darkness of depression and how to climb out of it. Depression can be brutal and isolating. First we need to be witnessed and understood in our pain in a safe comfortable non-judgemental space. Then we can learn tools and strategies to face the things that seem impossible to face. I will support you to take the steps necessary to improve your depression.

Depression isn’t who you are — it’s a response to pain you were never meant to carry alone. In my counselling practice, I offer a steady, compassionate space to explore the heaviness, numbness, and self-doubt that can feel overwhelming. Together, we listen for what your fatigue and sadness are trying to protect, rebuild connection, and gently re-ignite a sense of meaning. You don’t have to move through the darkness on your own. With care, patience, and support, a way forward becomes possible.