Depression Counselling in Shawnigan Lake, BC.

Dr. Sloat's therapeutic approach* to treating depression stems from her belief that depression is best treated while a person is feeling well. Although she acknowledges that depression should also be treated while acute, she also recognizes that depression tends to be episodic for long term sufferers, and the best way to long term success is to create tools and strategies while well that inoculate against further episodes. In short, Dr. Sloat describes her approach as "Depression Management". *Approach includes CBT, i.e., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Nothing can zap joy from life as quickly and devastatingly as depression can. I will help you move through the fog of depression to understand how our perceptions affect our mood and reality and how to shift to a place where we have more control over our reactions, our beliefs and feelings, and ultimately our behaviours. Understanding why we find ourselves in the place we do is important but it is not useful if we don't also develop the skills to move out of harmful and damaging places.

Depression can feel like a wet blanket you wear around you day in and day out. You may find it hard to remember what if felt like before or have hope that you will ever feel normal again. The most valuable thing I can do for a client with depression is to inspire hope, to help you regain your confidence and recover a positive, constructive outlook on life. My therapeutic approach for helping clients move through their depression incorporates a compassionate and nonjudgmental acceptance so important to supporting changes in ourselves.

Using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Shelley helps clients with depression explore their distorted thinking that leads to feeling hopeless and defeated. By reframing their negative thoughts clients can begin to see their world in a more positive and empowered perpective. Shelley helps clients to embrace themselves in a compassionate and empathic way, and to explore what they can learn, or change in their life that might come from this difficult time. The concept Pain in the Service of Growth helps clients to understand that their negative feelings might be an indication that something needs to change and to feel supported in making those changes, with Shelley's guidance and encouragement.

Depression results from a chemical imbalance in the brain. It is not the result of a personal weakness or lack of coping skills. The impairment is real and can result in feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed and in some cases suicidal. Fortunately, depression can be treated with both medication and counseling; the combination usually being most effective. Counselling can help persons who experience depression in providing an outlet for voicing frustrations and obstacles, identifying support avenues, leaning new coping skills and exploring the most recent avenues of treatment. Counselling offers a non-judgemental and confidential sounding board.

Depression can feel deeply lonely and isolating, making it difficult to reach out or believe that things can get better. It’s common to add to this burden by blaming or shaming yourself for feeling the way you do, which only makes healing harder. Together, we’ll gently explore your experiences with compassion, work to break these harmful patterns, and develop practical strategies that foster hope, resilience, and a renewed connection to life’s brighter moments. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to face it alone.

Struggling with depression can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. In my practice, I offer a compassionate and integrative approach to help you heal. Drawing on somatic, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and relational approaches, I work with you to find long-lasting change. If you're ready to take the first step towards feeling better, I’m here to support you on your journey.

Depression tries to protect us in different ways: it isolates us so we don’t have to suffer the pain of rejection. It helps us avoid situations where it perceives vulnerability as too risky. It rationalizes our status quo by telling us we don’t deserve any better. My approach with depression is to make friends with it. What is it protecting you from? What soul-calling is it barring you from? When we understand how depression is serving you, we can start to build some self-compassion and self-acceptance. Once you begin to relate to yourself differently, you can start —slowly and at your own pace—to open up to the world and your own potential. Ready to feel lighter? Let’s get started.

I support clients to reduce their symptoms of depression, target negative thoughts, withdrawal, and avoidance, and find meaning and hope. I provide a compassionate and safe space for clients to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment. Together, we work to identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, address self criticism, and develop practical strategies to re engage with life in meaningful ways. I teach skills to manage overwhelming emotions, build motivation, and create routines that support well being. We will also explore deeper themes and patterns such as the past and underlying emotional wounds to uncover the root causes of 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.

Depression hurts. It hurts to feel stuck, to feel alone, and to feel out of step with other people. And it hurts not to know how to pull ourselves out of it. When depressed, we often believe that something is deeply wrong with us at a personal level. In counselling, we explore the legitimate reasons why you might be depressed – what in your situation sets you up to feel bad? And we consider what you can do differently to support yourself. It can be challenging to face your difficulties, including both those things you can and cannot change. In counselling, I help you clarify your experience, support you, and help you find confidence and motivation to live life differently.

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.

Caught under a dark and weighty cloud that affects your thoughts, mood, emotions and behaviour? Maybe you're having trouble concentrating, remembering things or even contemplating suicide. Facing depression can alleviate feelings of sadness, worthlessness, guilt, restlessness, emptiness, irritability (just to name a few!). You may also feel relief from more physical symptoms such as a loss of energy and appetite, aches and pains, and digestive problems. Building on the joy and vitality that you may be overlooking in your life, we will pull you out of your pit of despair and teach you how to walk the path with no giant holes!