Depression Counselling in Kitchener, ON.

It's been called the dark night of the day, the noon-day demon, the blues - whatever label you want to give it, depression is difficult, emotionally exhausting and, at times, a disempowering mental health challenge that impacts millions of Canadians annually. Often Men struggle silently with depression for various reasons, not the least of which is the stigma associated with asking for help with mental health, and as such their depression can go unnoticed as they attempt to handle it alone. I help men to better cope with their depression by working together to build the strategies that work for them, so they can find a way through the darkness of their thoughts and reclaim a sense of hope.

In many cases, I view depression as an "alarm bell" that tells the individual that there is something wrong in their life. Have they turned their anger in life toward themselves? Are they not living their best, or preferred, life? Is there something that's happened in their life that is getting them down, but they don't realize how much power it truly has? Depression can also be about learned helplessness, or having a sense, through experience, that there is no point in even trying at something. Such helplessness can come from feeling defeated, feeling significant guilt about something, & even from self-defeating 'self-talk' that an individual engages in (without completely realizing it).

Depressive symptoms include deep sadness or hopelessness that persists for an extended period of time and has multiple impacts on affected individuals. It can greatly hinder an individual's capacity to engage in everyday activities. Fortunately, the effects of depression are highly treatable through therapy, which can serve as a potent remedy. Therapy can help you determine which negative or distorted thought patterns lead to the helplessness and hopelessness that come with depression and set realistic goals that enable you to enhance your emotional well-being. You will regain a sense of control and pleasure in life while incorporating enjoyable, fulfilling activities back into your life.

When I work with people who are weighed down with symptoms of depression, I find that it is important to remember two things: go slowly, and go together. Employing a trauma informed, family systems and somatic lens to what you are experiencing can help provide insight into how to move through and manage it. Journeying with clients through their depression is a great honour, and is something I take very seriously. I find that for many people, holding onto hope that things could be different, is something that can seem too much. Part of my commitment to working through depression is that, until you are ready, I will hold onto hope for both us.

Depression can be understood as a weight or gravity which is pulling the person back into themselves. This has been made necessary because they have moved too far away from their centred and true self. My work in this area is to help the person identify and affirm this deepest centre of Self. This entails going more deeply into the feelings of depression, understanding what has been pushed down through the depression, and working to bring it into the light.

As a therapist, I've witnessed the transformative power of therapy in treating depression. Through our sessions, we embark on a collaborative journey to explore the root causes of depression, whether they stem from past experiences, current stressors, or chemical imbalances. Together, we work to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, replacing them with more adaptive and empowering beliefs. Therapy provides a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to express their emotions, helping them feel heard and understood.

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.

Depression can manifest itself in many ways and be triggered by a variety of factors. It is often accompanied by anxiety and can lead to isolation and poor coping mechanisms. We begin depression treatment with cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns, and blend in interpersonal therapy, which focuses on relationships and communication. By tailoring treatment, we're able to ensure each client gets help that meets them where they're at

Do you feel lost, unmotivated, lack of energy, lonely, sad? Is it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, go to work, cook, take a shower? Do you feel hopeless? Or even like it might be better if you were not here? If so, please know that it is possible to feel better! By learning how to stop unhelpful thoughts, balance them out using evidence and logic AND by learning how to regulate your nervous system you can start to feel better soon!!!

Depression can make your body feel heavy and tired. You are likely unmotivated, sad most of the time, and see little hope. I want to hear your story and what led you to this point. Let's start there. Then we can start creating a path forward. There is always a path, no matter how hopeless it may seem. As a reminder, you are not broken and there is nothing wrong with you. Healing and freedom are just around the corner.

Those who struggle with depression can face a loss of their former self, lack of motivation, even a debilitating state of being that impacts one’s functioning. The positive news is that depression is treatable, and it does not define you! At Growth Counselling Services you can establish a new relationship with your depression. We will use an evidenced-based psychotherapy known as ACT. Research shows that ACT is an effective treatment for depression. In working together through the ACT approach, I am confident that a returned sense of purpose and meaning can become your reality once again. If you’re ready to take the journey toward improved well-being, call Growth Counselling Services today

The combination of schema therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective approach to dealing with depression. The CBT aspect of the therapy provides insight into HOW depression affects our lives. The schema portion of the therapy addresses the question of WHY depression exists in our lives. The therapy is comprehensive and intense and I encourage you to give it a try.

Sometimes we just don’t feel quite right. We can feel stress and change mounting out of our control. Maybe this is a feeling you have had before, or maybe it is a new feeling. Either way, we can help you to navigate this by working on understanding why it is happening, learning skills to cope, and resolving its root causes. Contact us and we can help you on a path to feeling more connect to life and to yourself again.

Depression hurts and is becoming epidemic in our society. However, depression is a treatable condition and there are effective approaches that can help you break the cycle of chronic unhappiness so you can keep moving forward, learn how to face life’s challenges with greater resilience and regain a sense of well-being. I work from the best evidence- based therapies for depression: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Interpersonal therapy (IPT), Solution Focused Therapy and Art Therapy to help you overcome the mental habits leading to despair, rumination, and self-blame so you can repossess the sense of hope, joy and life balance.