Depression Counselling in Victoria, BC.

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.

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 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)

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.

Are you struggling to get out of bed, losing interest in once-loved activities or feeling helpless and hopeless? The lethargic and foggy shutdown of depression can make everything in life feel just a few inches out of reach. The good news is that depression is readily treatable. I would be glad to help you explore what is keeping your body stuck in numb disconnection. Next, we form a plan to help you back to your best self. Together we tackle here-and-now symptoms with strategies of mindfulness and CBT, while also untying old knots from the past with emotion-focused and inner-child work. The heaviness of depression is your body asking for care. Are you ready to answer its call?

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.

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.

When you are depressed you may feel sad, weepy, hopeless, helpless, unmotivated, maybe sleep too much or not enough and also lose interest in sexuality, your friends and activities. These feelings last a long time and are really hard on relationships. You may think that you will never be happy again. You may have tried drugs but now want to take charge yourself of the changes you want to feel in your life. Counseling starts with your story of what is happening. I will ask lots of questions to help you get a clear idea of the causes and patterns in your life. We'll work on coping strategies and maybe try therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. You'll feel more content with your life.

Depression is usually marked by a change in eating habits, sleep, and energy levels. The person may suffer from isolation and a sense of worthlessness. I work to draw out my clients' concerns and deeper thoughts as well as their doubtful concerns. Every person has the potential of drifting into a depressed states, and some people live here a lot. But sharing one's personal thoughts and unmet needs is a powerful way to draw a person out of their depression. I also focus on some of their past successes, even in situations that appear to be futile. We all have the power to survive and overcome, even when things seem hopeless. Bearing witness to the moments of success, contribute to forward moti

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.

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.