Depression Counselling in Port Moody, BC.

Depression is so very common in people seeking therapy, and it is also a thief which steals our quality of life from us. It steals our joy and happiness, our energy and motivation, and sometimes even our desire to live. It is a trickster, too, telling us lies by painting our lives and the world as dark and negative in nature until we come to believe it. Counselling or therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, can help. I have seen depression in action and it helps me appreciate how much it can hurt. I have deep compassion and believe in your capacity to heal. I will never tell you to "just get over it" and can make recommendations that will help.

I help client with depressive symptoms by listening and validating their experience and helping them change their negative self talk. This negative self talk that clients experience are contributing to their feelings of depression. I use a technique called cognitive behavioural therapy to help clients release their depressive symptoms. By creating a safe enviornment to talk about their concerns healing and change occurs through the counselling relationship. Dealing with your depression will allow you to have a happy life.

I can help you explore feelings that you may not be aware of. I can help you understand how your behavior and mood can be affected by unresolved issues from your past or present. Some depression symptoms may be low self-esteem, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, changes in sleep, and feelings of loneliness. I offer counselling that will help you understand and work through difficult relationships or situations that may be causing or contributing to your depression. I encourage you to talk through your feelings in order to make positive change in your life.

I will listen to the stories of your experience with depression. Together we will find ways of coping with depression, while working on acceptance of living skillfully with depression. I will teach you how to be more compassionate with yourself, using techniques from Mindful Self-Compassion. I will help you build capacity to cope with depression and capitalize on your strengths.

Dr. Rochefort believes that depression is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign that the individual has over-demanded their personal resources. The "wet blanket" feel of depression is a huge barrier for progress forward in life. Dr. Rochefort works with individuals experiencing depression to accept, change, or adapt to adverse life circumstances, set goals and implement strategies for the future, change problematic thinking and behaviours, and develop skills to cope and overcome.

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)

Depression may be the result of difficulties you have been struggling with for years, or due to a sudden shock. When we feel helpless to manage our struggles, that is depressing indeed! Symptoms of depression, such as sleeplessness, eating difficulties, lack of energy etc. only make the situation worse. There are always reasons why our bodies and emotions react the way they do. We may fear that there is no way to feel better but in over 30 years, I have never found that to be true. Every life is unique and we need to find out what is holding you back. This is not something you can handle alone but in a safe, private space we can explore and change the conditions that keep you depressed.

Depression has a way of making everything feel further away than it actually is. Motivation. Pleasure. Other people. Yourself. You might still be functioning, getting through the day. But there's a flatness to it, and often a voice that says this is just how things are. It needn't be. In depression counselling, we slow things down and look at what might be underneath it. The work isn't about forcing optimism. It's about restoring connection to your feelings and a quiet sense that things can be different.

Depression affects the mind and the body. It can lead to isolation, health problems and difficulties maintaining all of your relationships. You may have lost sight of your personal resources and feel like your brain is spinning out of control. I can help you find your way back by: supporting you with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) where we examine and challenge your thinking and acting; using Neurofeedback (NFB) to retrain your brain to self regulate, staying out of depression; or with EMDR where I help you to resolve trauma or past hurts, allowing you to get to a place of emotional well being by lessening the emotional charge.

Reaching out for help may not be easy when battling depression. All new clients receive a free 50 minute session and matched with a Registered Clinical Counsellor who is committed to support you through your journey. At the Family Hope Clinic, we utilize evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness to address depression. In addition, we offer specialized services that include Art Therapy, Therapeutic Yoga, Social Support facilitation and Self-Care planning!

Do you find yourself waking up in the morning unmotivated, low energy and just blah? Is it hard to remember feeling happy and excited? Depression may creep up on you or it may be feel like you are at the bottom of dark hole that you can't find your way out of. Together we will work to discover the source of your sadness and re-build your life. There is hope and things can feel better.

If you are suffering from depression, reaching out for help by looking for a counsellor is an excellent place to start. Research has shown several counselling modalities to be effective for treating depression, with or without the concurrent use of medications. I will tailor therapeutic interventions according to your unique situation, as we consider the role that your mind, body, spirit, and relationships may play in your depression. I will help you find immediate, practical changes you can make to start feeling better right away, as well as explore the possible root causes of your depression. Long-lasting and significant change toward a brighter and happier life is possible.

Depression is often misunderstood as simply sadness, worse as self-indulgence. But this is far from the truth. People do not chose to be depressed. Symptoms of depression can include feelings of guilt, anger (at themselves or others), apathy, helplessness or agitation. My approach to help you deal with your depression includes cognitive therapy, building up self confidence, improving communication skills as well as looking at the underlying causes of depression from childhood or present situation. My role as a therapist is to act as a guide to lead you out of the darkness into clarity and hope