Depression Counselling in Athens, ON.

Depression can be debilitating. I work with many individuals who struggle with both chemical and trauma related depression. Through coaching and emotional support, I will work with you create a healing plan that fits your needs. We will discuss not only your emotional stressors, but other factors that may be deepening your depression (e.g. sleep patterns, food option, and more).

Experience the difference with our personalized approach to depression therapy. Depression isn't just about feeling sad; it's about reclaiming your life from its grip. Our integrative therapy combines proven techniques like CBT, DBT, and mindfulness to tackle depression head-on. Discover hope, purpose, and resilience as we navigate your journey together. Take the first step towards a brighter tomorrow with us.

All experience some form of depression at one point in their life or another. You are definitely not alone here. Whether the depression shows itself as constant sadness, an inability to move, or anger and frustration, it can be extremely overwhelming and difficult to deal with. It is my goal to help you overcome the depression and the painful effects of it by discovering it's roots and working through chopping it down. I will also aid in discovering or rediscovering your unique strengths, skills and ambitions in order to plant new productive, inspirational roots of joy, happiness, and freedom.

Depression is an insidious companion, and can creep its way in without us realizing for some time. Shifting a depressed mindset can be extremely difficult but neuroimaging studies have shown that by practicing mindfulness we can begin to alter those well-trodden neural pathways and shift our neurochemistry by promoting the production of neurotransmitters linked to feelings of happiness. Psychotherapy can help you identify mindfulness activities and other tools that can help to promote the production of these neurotransmitters and deliver results rooted in neuroscience. I can offer an alternative perspective and act as the catalyst you need to begin making the shift out of depression.

Depression is a normal response to a lack of joy or purpose in our lives or to a disappointing or tragic event. If we have been the victims of trauma, thoughts of that event(s) and associated thoughts such as shame, guilt, low self-worth, etc. can trigger depression. As with most emotional response, understanding the origins of our depression is crucial to reducing it. Changing our perceptions and thoughts around events, persons and our own worth and purpose can lead to increased joy and reduced depression.

Life today is very stressful and symptoms of depression often accompany ongoing stress. Depression can interfere with your relationships, your work life and seriously interferes with your life satisfaction. Depression is often best treated with the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which Sarah uses to assist you in identifying the causes of your depression and the ways in which negative thought processes feed your depression. Sarah will help you to resolve your depression by helping you to change how you think and respond to depression triggers. Medication is sometimes necessary as part of depression treatment. The role of medication in your depression management can always be discussed.

In any given year, depression will be present in 4 – 5 % of the Canadian population, and between 7.9 and 8.6% will experience depression during their lifetimes. (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002) Despite its prevalence, there remains a stigma around depression. Untreated, depression can wreak havoc in a person's life, but with the right supports, (medication, if needed, and psychotherapy) depression can be managed and people can lived productive and meaningful lives. I provide a safe place for my clients factors which may be affecting their mood , and work with my clients to bring about necessary lifestyle changes and to move greater emotional health.

Getting to the root of one's depression, why it occurs, and how it presents itself is imperative in understanding how one can remedy it. By working with clients to explore and comprehensively understand their depression, we will be able to better manage, mitigate, or eliminate the cognitions, behaviours, and feelings tied to our depression. How we became depressed is only the first step in ones work on depression; figuring out how to create change, support, and maintain change is the bulk of it.

Depression is a common mental disorder. It is characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities. Depression can be challenging to manage on your own. In our therapy sessions, we work closely together to identify some of the negative beliefs and behaviors, explore relationships and experiences, and find better ways to cope and create new and healthy patterns. I help you develop new tools and techniques to continue supporting yourself even after therapy is completed.