Depression Counselling in Shawnigan Lake, BC.

Depression includes low mood, feelings of sadness or hopelessness, diminished interest in activities, fatigue, change in appetite or sleeping behaviour, diminished ability to concentrate, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and suicidal ideation. These symptoms cause impairment in an individuals’ social, occupational, or other areas. Therapy for depression typically involves cognitive-behavioural therapy, where thoughts, feelings, and beliefs are investigated, cognitive-restructuring, and learning new skills and coping strategies. At the outcome of therapy, individuals can experience more energy and joy, greater peace, clarity, connectedness, self worth, hope, and improved functioning.

Dealing with depression requires that we both lean into the emotions that we are feeling while also making small and steady changes in our daily life. I can help you to learn how to tolerate negative emotions and understand why you might be feeling them. I can also work with you to set up small and achievable goals so that you can take the steps you want in making positive changes in your life.

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.

Living with depression can be like wading through mud. Every step requires enormous effort. All the while, the gas tank is empty. For many, the urge is to take to bed, as the world just feels like too much to face. I like to work on the root cause of depression while simultaneously collaborating on small manageable steps to regain confidence and interest in living a valued life. I find that working on what seems to be an unsolvable problem is often the starting point of recovery. My goal is to provide support and guidance that goes beyond just the sense of feeling "better". Rather, my aim is for my client's to thrive, with the newfound capacity to experience joy and happiness.

Just about will experience depression at some point in their lifetime. Sometimes, there is a clear reason for its presence… sometimes it might not make sense. Depression can knock us hard, flatten us out and keep us down. Sadness, unhappiness, unmotivated, helpless, discouraged, hopeless, numb or just feeling empty with no energy… it manifests in all kinds of ways. In my practice, I help people to gain insight into their relationship with depression and develop a personalized approach to get through to the other side. With some help, change is very much possible. You can get up again and move toward different experience in life.

Depression can affect many areas of a person's life, including mood, motivation, energy, sleep, relationships, and overall wellbeing. My approach focuses on understanding the factors contributing to depression and helping clients develop practical strategies to improve mood and build resilience. I use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches to help clients identify and reframe patterns of thinking that contribute to hopelessness, self-criticism, guilt, or feelings of helplessness. Treatment may also include behavioural activation, which helps clients gradually increase activities that support wellbeing, connection, pleasure, and a sense of accomplishment.

If you are living with depression, you may be suffering with feelings of hopeless & despair, low self-esteem, lack of energy & motivation, and, self-defeating negative thought cycles. My approach to treating depression draws on contemplative & psychodynamic psychotherapy helping you to cultivate self-compassion & mindfulness while deepening awareness of underlying emotional roots & historical patterns. Sometimes depression arrives in our life to help us come into deeper alignment with our authentic self and release what no longer serves us. Together we can gentle explore what is happening for you and what you need in order to feel better longer term.

Depression is tricky. Depression causes a lowered mood, fatigue, and decreased motivation. Sometimes, Depression goes unnoticed by friends and family. It can appear like everything in your life should be fine, but inside, it's a struggle to get out of bed. I provide a non-judgmental space to explore the areas of your life impacted by depression. You will learn alternative coping mechanisms to help ease future symptoms of depression.

Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or constantly tired? Are you struggling with a sadness that won't lift, losing interest in things you once loved, or trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts? I get it. Depression is tough. But with the right support, you can find joy again, rediscover motivation, and build resilience. As a clinical counsellor, I'm here to help you reclaim your life with compassionate, results-oriented therapy using proven techniques. Let’s take this journey together. Book your free 15-minute phone consultation today and start moving towards a brighter, more empowered future.

Feeling sad or low is something everyone goes through at times. But when those feelings don’t go away, begin to worsen, or start interfering with daily life, they may be a sign of depression. Depression can feel very isolating—you may worry that no one understands, or that things will never get better. In a safe and supportive environment, Laurie helps clients explore what may be contributing to their depression and find research-based strategies that can ease symptoms and support lasting change.

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.

I believe depression can be the body and mind's way of protesting against aspects of life that are uncomfortable and may not be working anymore. Exploring depression requires patience, gentleness and willingness to wonder what else your life could be. We will look at areas of your life that are successful and work together to find ways to transfer these feelings into all aspects of your life. Depression doesn't have to be a lifelong experience.

Clients have talked about being down there in ‘the pit’, not being able to see any light, only darkness with no path. You are doing less and less, you are losing motivation to connect with others, or even get out of bed. Using behavioural activation, where we listen to or thoughts instead of our feelings, we can pull ourselves out of the downward spiral of depression. Sometimes that means treating trauma too. With help, imagine someone throws down some tools and materials, we make a plan to build a ladder, and with support and encouragement, you get yourself out of that pit. I know there's a path and I have helped others find it.