Depression Counselling in Vancouver, BC.

We struggle with our mood at times. But sometimes, our low mood can start to dominate our lives and get in the way of feeling connected to our loved ones, doing things we used to love, or feeling optimistic and confident. Depressed feelings can get in the way of pursuing our cherished goals. Feeling low for too long can mean you stop engaging with the world around you. These depressed feelings can be really hard to take, but can be shifted and better understood. Reaching out to get help with this can start you on the path to feeling better today. You can move toward long-lasting changes in how you feel — you can become optimistic about your life again. You do not need to do it by yourself.

As human beings, we mostly ignore the flashing red engine light warning us that a tune up is in order. We put our heads down and keep going and before we know it we're just not functioning right. My role in helping you through depression is reconnecting you with your needs: emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, relational, and occupational, so that you become your best champion in meeting your needs and feeling more connected to yourself and others.

No two people experience depression in exactly the same way and so dealing with it also needs an individual approach. Rather than viewing depression as something wrong with the person experiencing it, the client and I listen to what it might have to say to them. Though understandably, nobody likes depression, and it can be managed with tools such as Cognitive Behavioural therapy and mindfulness, etc., it can also be engaged through other approaches that allow its importance and meaning (and what it is calling for) is revealed. This can bring greater richness, wisdom, and appreciation for life.

Depression can be experienced in a multitude of ways and often differently by each person. Depression can leave an individual feeling overwhelmed, a loss interested in activities that they used to enjoy, feel a lack of energy, have difficulty sleeping, experienced pronounced weight changes, and even serious illness. You do not have to suffer or feel alone. We will work with you to uncover the elements to your depression and help you to regain enjoyment and satisfaction in your life.

Feeling sad, low or in a bad mood is a normal part of being human. Depression is different; it can hold us back from our lives, suck our energy, and have us thinking negatively about ourselves and the world. And, depression is treatable. My job is to create the support you need to clarify the issues and situations that trigger depression, so that you can identify and act on strategies to interrupt the dark times, to move forward, and be proactive in the future. While it's not always possible to pinpoint the cause, we can work effectively with what we do know: about thoughts, emotions and actions that can either hold us back or be allies.

If depression could speak, it would say "why bother?" Depression leaves us feeling unmotivated, hopeless, and negative about ourselves and our potential. In counselling, I provide a compassion-focused approach to treating depression that will help you to increase your sense self-worth and build motivation to mobilize yourself. I believe that when treating depression, it is essential to explore emotions such as anger, guilt and shame that often perpetuate a defeated and empty state. Doing so can feel uncomfortable, but is ultimately liberating. Many of my depressed - even suicidal - clients report that therapy has helped improve their mood and take meaningful action in their lives.

Depression can be devastating. What is the worst part of what you're going through? How long has this been going on? When/Where did it start? What does you mind and heart tell you? We use various counselling approaches including Existential Therapy to support you in your struggle with depression. We meet you where you are at, and support you to process, heal and grow.

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.

Modern populations are increasingly overfed, malnourished, sedentary, sunlight-deficient, sleep-deprived, and socially-isolated. Research is showing that depressed people who put time and energy into activities that will help them recover have a higher recovery rate. Things that can help improve mood and feelings are: physical exercise, diet, managing our thoughts and feelings, self-care, social contact, improving our body 'clock' and mindfulness. None of them work like a magic cure, but when used regularly and in combination, they will help you feel much better. Everyone's mood fluctuates, so even if you put these things into practice, you will still have bad days. Be patient, it takes time

Are you feeling down or depressed? Perhaps you're often irritated with your coworkers or family. Is getting up in the morning difficult and getting through the day feels like you are always walking up hill! Nothing interests you anymore. I can help you get you get through this block, and move forward. We can unravel the issues that are causing the problem, identify your triggers, and discover the negative cycle that keeps perpetuating this problem. From this greater understanding, I can also teach you the skills to improve your mood and help you move from just Surviving to Thriving in your life!

Being able to talk about our experiences and allow our feelings to surface is a first step toward unlocking ourselves from the weight of depression. The therapeutic approaches I draw on to support your shift out of a state of depression to a happier, more hopeful perspective will depend on your unique circumstances. f safety and trust feel confident to start sharing your experience with me, knowing that you are seen and understood. Often we have not had a place to share our struggles where we felt heard and accepted. Even the small shift in perspective that can be the result is enough to begin change.

Depression is not only a mental problem, it is also a physical one - often leaving you with fatigue and lack of motivation to do anything. The first step to healing depression is building inner and outer resources for immediate symptom relief. This includes self- care, especially physical exercise along with mindful awareness of your internal experience . The next step is challenging those distorted beliefs and perceptions of yourself and the world. You can get better soon.

Are you feeling sad and down all the time? Do you feel like life is meaningless and has lost its color? Art therapy is a very useful way of starting to understand your depression by starting to engage with yourself and understand your self. What is it that you need to be OK? Who are you when you aren't sad? How do you know that you are depressed? Dream exploration is also an excellent way of getting to know our psyche and starting to become curious about what it needs. Dreams allow us to understand what it is that we are neglecting. Whether you are experiencing chronic depression or acute depression, I would be happy to help facilitate your healing journey