Depression Counselling in Alberton, ON.

While we all have days where we feel sad and 'depressed', if it goes on day after day so that negative thoughts make us feel exhausted, powerless, empty, discouraged and hopeless, then we need help. Leaving depression untreated can lead to several physical and mental complications and even suicide. Fortunately, trained counsellors can assist us in retraining our mind and teach us new skills to challenge depressive thinking so that we can lead a confidently depression free life.

There are many reasons why people suffer from depression. We help to find the reasons why and also work in collaboration at implementing a variety of supports to help you through. We do not diagnose but we do help you manage your depression. There are many steps that you can take to help you move towards a healthier way of functioning. We offer a safe environment for you to take those steps.

Depression robs us from enjoying relationships and activities that were once fulfilling. There are many reasons people experience depression and there is no need to suffer alone. Psychotherapy can help by exploring aspects that are influencing depression as well identify strategies to manage it. It would be an honor to journey with you in managing depression.

It takes courage to come to therapy for the symptoms of depression, and I don’t take lightly the invitation to walk with someone through their struggles in this area. Together we look at how your thoughts impact your feelings as well as your life story to consider areas of healing from the past as well as solutions for the future. We also consider areas of your thought life that keep you stuck and hinder your forward movement in life.

A prolonged sense of hopelessness and finding little or no pleasure in activities that used to bring joy can be confusing. Our thoughts and feelings cause us to withdraw from those around us, which confirms our thoughts and reinforces our feelings, leading to further self-isolation. If you have been here for a while, it is going to feel like a lot of energy to get started, so we begin with one small thing. Matt can help you shift your perspective: acknowledging the good things in life and growing to appreciate the activities, things and people we make take for granted. Slowly, you can rebuild your sense of hope. The intention is to restore a balanced view of the good and the bad.

Depression stinks. Its ability to emotionally cripple you is frustrating and the way it can hold you back from being the person you were made to be is tragic. Fortunately, depression does not have to own your life. It can be overcome, and you deserve better than what it offers. You deserve happiness and together we will help you find a new way of living that will unleash your true potential and show the world how great you really are.

Treatment for depression obliges a therapeutic approach that is nonjudgmental and compassionate. Whether long-standing or mediated by situational factors, many of us find ourselves struggling with such feelings in our life-time–affecting changes in our sleep, concentration, decision-making, patience, energy, appetite, motivation and more – ultimately interfering with living our lives fully. I am experienced with working with adults suffering symptoms of depression, working together with their family and treating clinicians, as needed, in an effort to guide them toward systematic recovery, discovery, and to sustain good habits moving forward.

Depression is among the most common and devastating health conditions a person can face. Fortunately, there are treatments that are scientifically supported to provide relief to individuals suffering from depression. In particular, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is among the most researched and proven for mild to moderate depression. At Meristem, we strive to incorporate CBT interventions into individually tailored treatment plans that are wholistic and comprehensive because research and clinical experience has shown us that this eclectic approach gives us the best results at recovery for clients of all ages.

Struggling with mood disorders can make life very challenging. The most basic tasks can feel overwhelming and unmanageable. I understand this from personal experience as well as years of work with clients who are diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder. It can be difficult to explain to others in our lives what it feels like to live with depression. I will validate and support you while helping you explore your feelings and find positive coping strategies that are the right fit for you. Book a free consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Whenever I have worked with clients during the past 10 years who have experienced depressive symptoms, I have found that they have found that both a client-centred and Cognitive Behavioural Theoretical approach seems to be appreciated by them. Within the CBT model, I also have relied on Dialectical Behavioural Theory also to gain understanding and to move on towards coping strategies. I think this therapeutic pattern has been helpful to many of my past clients, as they have said that need to be heard first, gain understanding to their struggles, and then find solutions to alleviate the symptoms which they are experiencing.

Depression can be debiltating often affecting many aspects of ones life. Individuals can feel hopeless, helpless and even emotionally paralysed. Fortunately due to the prevelence of depression in North America, there have been a number of strategies to help individuals regain their emotional strength and find their way back. Cognitive Behavioural and Dialectical Behavioural Therapies provide individuals with a number of tools to turn life around and regain control.

In working with individuals who struggle with depression, I primarily use a cognitive behavioural therapeutic (CBT) approach. The principal aim of this approach is to increase awareness that thoughts and behaviours drive emotion. In addition, the goal is to increase consciousness of distorted perceptions. That is, often individuals who struggle with depression do not think accurately, and if their thoughts are not accurate, than they cannot be trusted. The purpose of CBT is to bring awareness to cognitive distortions and then teach individuals how to rebalance their thoughts to be more accurate.

Depression is not only about feeling sad - it can leave you feeling irritable, tired, it can affect your ability to concentrate, and small tasks can sometimes feel insurmountable. Sometimes it's a feeling of emptiness inside that can be hard to describe. Life does not have to feel like this - you CAN work through depression, and feel more like your old self again. CBT is highly effective in treating depression - best of all, there are no side effects, and the skills that you learn can last a lifetime.